New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-01-11
THE SPANISH CRUSADE IN AFRICA.

Of the European Congress, q settlenen. final as
tbcse Of the Slavery question in our country, Ia
being carried on near the columns Of Herculee the
character and objects Of which appear fanasca ~
carry mind back to she age Of Cid Csmpeador.
II s the old feud of the Cross and tie Crescent fought
over sgsin-not, however, by steelclad knights and
the Moorish Kings Of old, but by rihed cannon and
minnie guns of regular European army, and the
clumsy flint locks Of piratical rabble. hurdorous
battles are matters Of almost daily occurrence under
the walls of Ceuta; the spirit Of religious fanateism Is
aroused on both sides; the spectacle, not uncommon In
Spanish history, Of priest taking the place Of
fallen officer and leading soldiers TO deadly conflict,
was Witnessed over again during the very first fort
night Of the war; and DO quarter ia given by the
Christian Spaniards, though their enemies pay pre-
MUM of four dollars for every live prisoner and one
dollar only for dead enemy. The hoon, too, will
soon arrive at the ssnda of human y with their
enemie,. The priests have proclaimed belly war, and
the nomadic tribes Of the desert are daily Aocking
around the Crescent TO swell the ranks Of the true be-
Eevers.
Now, what is all this numerous fighting about
What great interests of civilization are at sake
That il question not readily snsweg 3D. In fact the
apparent cause Of the war Is insgn6csnt that it is
almost impossible not TO believe in the existence of
some secret motives connected with the general scope
Of European politics Perhaps the Spanish Cabinet
having of late become somewhat shaky, sought to
mend its shattered popularity BY the cement OF military
qIo-y after the fashion of lie powerful neighbor.
This explanation b thought too simple by many.
Spain they say il playing ,be par of catspaw for the
Emperor of the French. While foggng the Moors,
she means John Bull. 70 subject the northwestern
Il and thr1af hraa an n
aecess Of Great Britain to the Mediterranean Is her
ultimate object In this sbe is acting, on behalf OF
France or against Great Britain similar part to that
acted by Sardinia behalf Of France against Ausra
True, the Spanish Government in consequence OF the
earnest protests of Great Britain, has diselsimed all
intention of ultimate occupation but then, who knows
what changes in European politics may be brought
about m the course of few months Promises, like
,hoes given by Spain, are utually given only to be
broken whenever an opportunity is offered.
That such are the apprehensons entertained in Great
Britain In regard TO THE Spanish crusade Ia apparent
even TO a casual observer. In regard to everything
which, even in the most indirect way, would seem to
threaten the wartime supremacy of England and her
access to India by way of the Mediterranean, che s ex-
tremely touchy Hence are takes no pains to conceal
her tympathes With the Moors rather her misrust
Of the ultimate designs of Spain To her, the SueE
Canal scheme and the Spanish war against Morocco
appear as products Of the cause.-The sinister idea
of the Illumination or rather Fenchihcation Of the
great sea upon the shores Of which the civilization Of
scores Of centurts has been developed This idea, put
forth from the brain of Louis Napoleon Is lurking be-
hind all his assurances Of entente cordtde with his
uncles great adversary AL his seeming fcleness and
sub,ervisney to the political exgencies of the hour
20 only TO prove the fxedness of his one ruling pur
pose.
II s wen remembered how persstentiy the ruler
Of the French sought TO establish his influence at
adrd-nos however to furtberdynastical interest, as
biz predecessor, Louis Philippe had done before hi,
but TO obtain unity of purposes between both Gov
ernmsnts. Thus he brought about cooperation of
France and Spain against the Empire of Aram. Then
the Duke of Mslakof went to Madrid on a secret mis-
son and Immediately the French and Spanish journals
began to raise loud outcry absut the outrsges Of the
piratcsl inhabitants Of the northern provinces OF Mo
rocco cooperation Of France and Spain against the
Moorish empire wes binted at But somehow, the
programme Of the performance seemed to have been
deIspeed. Spain was rather too slow. While French
invaded tie frontier districts Of Morocco and in
n,cted summary punishment for alleged outrsees on
various nomadc tribes, the Spanish Cores were still
debating, the Spanish press still raviDg the Spanish
clergy st preaching, about the holy This delay
strengthened the OPT oston of Great Britain against
the tuspicous enterprise and Louis Napoleon, not yet
prepared to brave that opposition, brought his
against Morocco TO a sudden termination. His original
purpose Of extending the frontiers Of Algeria 10 the
river Mulolsh was abandoned so was the intended
ehastsement Of the Moorish town Of Ushdsb, Whose
Governor had taken part in the outrsges committed
against French subjects.
Then only Spain began TO move in earnest. During
the latter part Of August, conflict bad occurred be-
tween the garrison Of the Spanish fortress of Ceus
and thewarike population Of the surrounding country.
The SpaIiards had attempted 10 extend their line of
fortfcatiops-itis not shown by what authorty-in
order to prevent the convcts, held at Ceua from de-
sertng into the Moorish camp. On the night Of Aug.
H. the Moors threw down the posts bearing the Span
ish arms by which the hDe had been staked out.
TIE same thing repeated on the following day,
when the posts had been again erected. Then the
Spapish commander attacked the Hoors, but
PEELED to retreat On the following day, equally I'M
successful attacks were made by the Spanish In every
case they were worsted and finally compelled to re-
main within the walls Of the town. These occrrences
the apparent cause Of the present war; 1t Ia I'M
necessary detail the negotiations that followed; il
sufces TO state that Spain demanded satisfaction from
the new Morocco Emperor in amOs overbearDg andin-
sulting manner that she paid attention to hisrepea
ed assurances that the tribes which ha committed the
Outrage were sdherenis Of his competitor and that he
would be very glad if Spain would take full revenge
them that the demand of Spain, including the
erection by the Provincial Governors own hands OF
the Spanish arms, Cession Of territory ten twelve
miles around Ceuta, and the Punishment of the authors
OF the alleged outrage were such "a could not posbly