The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-05-22

Progress OF tho Campaign.
We have no news this morning Of any SAN
culinary battles. East or West beyond those
already reported West and East. however,
the situation Of affairs is so decidedly against
the retreating or beleaguered armies of the re-
bellion that we await with perfect confidence
the next developments Of General Grants COM
prehensive and mastery combinations.
The latest reported fight near Spottsylvania
Court House has betrayed the weakness OF
General Lee 10 that all important element Of
and Kautx upon his Immediate depots and
lines Of railroads from which be draws his
scanty rations, to say nothing Of tho doings of
Averill and Crook on the Virginia and
Tennessee line, were such as to compel
General Lee the other day to make des-
perate dash upon the nearest outlying pr0vi-
sion train Of General Grant. The sortie, how
ever. was a disastrous failure, and Ewell's
roughly handled forlora hope retired behind
it's intrenchments somewhat huugricr than
when they came out. In his aggressive cam
paign of 1862 against the comparatively little
army Of General Pope Lee had the good for
tune Co capture provisions enough to carry his
army over among the corn6elds, granaries and
well supplied -four mills of Maryland. In his
offensive campaign Of 1868 our garrison at
Winchester turned over into his hands proyi-
sions aud ammunition sufficient to supply oil
his deficiencies for his march over into Penusyl-
vauia; but in this defensive campaign, with the
country eaten out all around him, and with a
considerable army to feed at Richmond, and
with his supplies from Tennessee. Southwestern
Virginia and Georgia seriously interrupted, if
not absolutely cut off, General Lee, touching
this vital matter of corn bread and bacon,
efforts to get something from the bountiful
stores of the Army Of the Potomac, no has not
captured . single wagon, while Sheridan and
Kautz together have destroyed his depots of
supplies to the extent Of three or four hundred
millions of dollars in rebel scrip, ct the present
Richmond price Of four hundred dollars FOR
barrel Of -four.
A little delay, under such circumstances. is
no disadvantage to General Grant; but it is
positive misfortune to Lee, which no amount
of digging will remedy. What then He
probably expects that General Grant will dash
bis army to pieces against the defensive works
before him. after the fashion OF General Burn-
side but General Grant may prefer to hold
his adversary just where he is until some
other plans. looking to the Same end
of Lees removal, are carried oat in other
quarters. The late sortie of Beaaregard upon
Buffers lines was q desperate but unsvailing
effort to break tue coils that are tightening
around Richmond. That CITY is in danger and
yet, although with its fall the business Of Lee
IN Virginia is at an end, Richmond has become
o trap which be will most probably avoid.
even If driven in that direction. The word
subsistence explains the difficulty.
We can. therefore, patiently watt until Gene
raj Grant il ready 10 strike again from the
river cuts of both food and reinforcesue0ls |
from the enemy, and that his right wing ia |
Georgia under Sherman, is carrying every
thing before II, and considering, too, that |
Sheridan and Kautz are not idle. Looking |
over the whole field. from Virginia to Georgia,
We see that the game is now completely 10
the hands of Genera, Giant that be may take
that he will not delay moment the Army Of
the Potomac when lie se-s that the time has
come 9or the forward march again.
SrNx VIOLATING rHE MoxuoE DocrgIHE.-
The fact tia! Spain has recently undcrl aiken
TO sannex'' the Chincha islands TO her do
minions bat serves 20 show how FAR we have
fallen from the principles left 10 us by our
forefathers, and how little the crowns OF
Europe respect our influence on this continent.
IL is not iong since Spain denounced 10 in
the face OF the world for sur annexation pro-
cliyties. For her. Yankees and f,Jnstcros were
one and the same thing, and her press add her
statesmen did not cease taxing as with the
rspacious spirit OF the buccaneers Of old; and
yet Spain herself now attempts most shame
less violation of the riRh,s OF nations.
Under the preteace Of showing her flag 10
the Pacific, and to renew friendly relations
with her former colonies, Spain, the mother
country. to quote tho falacous language Of
the Madrid journals, went to pay her daugh-
tiers . visit Admiral Pinzon, with small
feet, went TO TERRA del Fuego. aud through the
Straits of Magellan passed further On to
the Chilean coasts and to Peru. There hc was
received with open arms by the confding pco-
pie who never dreamed Of his treachery. Balls
aud banque,s were given in his honor, and, the
better TO deceive his intended victims, Pinton
displayed the utmost courtesy and friendl-
ness But, at the very momeat wbcn-all were
persuaded tina. Spain intended no harm to cher
daughters,"a triaing question was raised,
semi-diplomatc quarrel cnsicd. and the gallant
Admiral seized the Chinchs Islands, with as
littIc show OF ceremony as bighwayman
who robs you of your purse. Ceaturies
ago, In precisely the same manner, Cortez
ar Manlnx.lIaa Li,n t,lI In