The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-20

all they have gained upon q question which has
served its day.
Tho Central American Observation-Disclosures
Tricks and subterfuges.
Notwithstanding the assurances offered to
us that the Central American question is
in fair way Of arrangement, it looks as
If ii were destined to preserve to the last
is character OF a tangled sken The nearer
we seem to approach the unravelling Of
its complications, the more involved they be-
come Thus, whilst we have on the one hand
diplomatic statements and professions apparently
tending towards q satisfactory solution, we hear
on the other of proceedings which would lead to
q different conclusion. Leaving out Of view the
Importance Of the political interests involved
we should regard the definite settlement of this
troublesome question as essential to the reputa-
ion for good faith and sincerity Of all the foreign
governments and diplomatists connected with it.
II will be recollected that some little while
ago it Was stated by one Of the London journals,
on the faith Of INFORMATION coming direct from
Paris. that an Anglo-French feet had or
ders to proceed TO the American coast. This
statement produced an unpleasant impress
sion In London. and The funds were tenn
rorarily affected by It, In the converse
ton between Mr.. Dallas md Lord Nalmesbury
on this and other points bearing on the Central
American question, his Iordship stated that this
rumor was utterly A0titute Of foundation. In
tie sane conversation Lord Malmesbury dis
claimed ever having expressed any opinion
svo1abe to NJ. Belly's project, adding that he
vas a mere specializing adventurer, and had
neither the countenance nor support Of England
or France.
Now It viii strike plain speaking and plain
dealing men a. curious that in the face of such
ASSURANCES We should have the statement
reiterated by the English journals that the
French are about 70 send TO Central America a
battalion Of 1nfantry and three batteries Of ar.i-
lery. IT. as Lord Malmesbury states, neither
EpglaDd nor France favor- NJ Belly's schemes
what, we viii ak. i the object Of this Anglo
French expedition, His lordsbip says that the
motive Of the presence Of an English squadron
on the Central American coast Il fo~ the protec-
ton q sir Gore ouselcy during his nego-
tiatons with Nicaragua In the recent CORES.
popdence between Captains Aldham and
Mcintosh, the former explicitly states that it has
been sent there TO prevent the landing Of
GlibusteTs. On which Of these assertions are we
TO rely.
But there l. another point In this Ceatral
American affair which Is still more curious In
diplomatic sense. n, as Lord Maimesbury as
sares Us, Belly l. mere speculating adventurer,
without countenanee or favor from the English
and French governments, how does II happen that
to the Belly contract we find appended the
memorandum Known az the Rivas manifesto
This document was sent to Europe in that con-
ncClon. and came in the same form to our know
ledge through the European papers. After dcclar-
ing that i places The independence and nation
atty ofthc republics Of Costa Rica and Nicaragua
under the guarantee OF France, England and
Sardinia The manifesto "supplicates the three
governments no longer to leave the coasts of
Central America without defence, It's rich coun-
tries at the mercy of barbsrians. and the future
route o. the trade Of the world without
a serious guarantee Of liberty and neutral
ity." Was il not, we again ask,
In compliance with the solicitations OF
the memorandum thus appended to the con-
tract with "spcculating adventurcr,' that an
English Hect and a French military force were
ordered to the Central American COAST But
these arc not the only remarkable features OF
this strange iinbroglio Of acts and declarations.
Il viii be recollectcd tha, after the Bisas mani
fcsto came TO the knowledge Of orr government.
the Presidents Of Nicaragua and Costa Rica
whose names were subscribed TO il, we're inter
pellated by General Lamar In the spirit Of the
instructions Of General Cas-, and that both Pre-
sidcnts at once disclaimcd It. adding that "the
principles and policy Of the manifesto had origi-
mated In mistaken conceptions General Marti-
neg stated furthermore that he had appended his
name to II simply las private individual"
This explanation, lame NJ II wac, was accepted
by our government. The two Presidents have
not the less gained their point by having an
English squadron and French military force
stationed on their coasts
All this goes 10 prove the extent to which