The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-01-01
HERALD halls the return Of another holiday,
wishing it's countless readers health, pesce and
prosperity-s wish that over thirty years rola-
tons with them but make the more sincere.

tons with them but make the more sincere.
Highly Important from Chile-The
spsnfards Defeated I'm . Naval EN-
gagement.
The last arrival from South America brings
Us news Of q character to entirely change the
aspect of the Spanish ana Chilean difficulty. II
appears that ON the 26th Of November an en-
gagement took place OF the port Of Papudo
between the Spanish steamer Of war Covadonga
and the Chilean war steamer Esneralda, In
which, sfter fight of half an hour, the Spanish
vessel was captured, losing two killed and four.
teen wounded. The prize was immediately
manned and odicered by the oaptors, and Is
now cruising with the Esmeralds - . consort.
This event happens unfortunately for the
governments which are trying their good Offices
at mediation, but still more unfortunately for
Spain, whose foolish pride has hitherto pre-
vented her backing out Of the difficulty. From
recent information there was reason to believe
that the Court Of Madrid had con-
cluded, or at least was disposed to SUBJ
NIT the matter to arbitration, and the
bases laid down by England and France were
even specifically stated. The effect tho news
of this disaster to their navy win have on the
minds Of the proud and sensitive Spaniards can
easily be foreseen. 1t hes been the misfortune
of that people and government that they have
never been able to profit by the experience
and LESSONS qf 9thsH; I tas arrangement na:
not gone too far to prevent their withdrawal
we may safely predict that the news Of this
naval misfortune will b. followed by their re-
pudiation Of it. The humiliation to which their
arms were subjected IN ST. Domingo was too
Notifying to be succeeded by this second
check without an effort being made to repair
it. But, supposing them Wiling to swallow
the leek, is it certain that the spunkly lit.
tie Chilean nation, flushed with victory
| and relying on its chances Of aid from
this country, will be found ready to
make the concessions demanded Of 1t!
We think not and for this further reason, that
by this time the victory to ~hch we refer has
probably been followed b. other and greater
advantages over the Spanish squadron. II is
evident, from the details given US Of the en-
gagement between the Esmeralda and the
Covadonga, that the Spaniards fought without
heart, all the killed and wounded being on
their side and none on that Of the Chileans.
Indeed, we should not be surprised to learn
that the whole of Pareja's force had by this
time been captured. In any event he Ia in
bad FIX, and the political question has become
80 complicated that it is doubtful whether
anything but continuance of hostilities can
solve il.
How will spain emerge from a war COM
menced in injustice and feebly prosecuted!
II is evident that one 0f its results will
be TO entirely sweep her commerce from
the ocean. The new principles Of maritime
and International law set III by the European
governments will be sternly applied in her
case. AS one of the three original aagressors
in the movement for general foreign
intervention in the affairs of this continent We
have no motive to spare her. Let the Chile
ans decide on resisting her demands and they
will obtain from us all the aid and support
which, under the precedents set us by England
and France, we are entitled 10 give them The
result. as we have said, will be 10 annihilate
whatever little commerce Spain possesses and
10 deprive her Of every foot Of colonial terri
justice soil fail Lei her be The first 10 suffer
for the cowardlv trcachcry which prompted
the invasion of Mexico and St. Domingo when
we we're powerlcss to prevent them. The turn
| ol her associai es will not be long in following.
e..
The STATE Lecislatur~.