The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-02-16
The Chilean War-Important Spanish
agrt Naval Movomcnts.

the Chtleeu Wor-Importont spanish
agr Naval Movomcnts.
The Spanish steam war frigate Isabel La
Cstolica arrived in this harbor yesterday from
Havana She left that port six days ago, in
company with another Spanish frigate-the
Carmen-and we may hourly expect the latter
vessel to join her consort in our harb0r.
1t is evident that all parties to the Spanish
Chilean war mean action. By the news from
Europe which we publish this morning it APP
pears that England, actuated by q love of
Chilean copper and guano, as she formerly was
by a love of Southern cotton, has consented to
furnish Chile with vessels of war, as she for
merly served the rebel confederacy in this
country; and four of the best iron-clads of the
English neutrality pattern are said to have
sailed from tho British shores during the past
month. In the meantime it is endeavored TO be
shown in orr courts that diplomatic agents of
the Chilean government have been fitting out
at this port torpedo boats and privateers to
prey on the commerce Of Spain; and il is very
evident, If the news from England and the allie
cations of the spanish Consul against Seiior
MacKenna be true, that the little South Ameri-
can republic OF Chile Is desperately in earnest.
At the same time Spain is not idle. The loss
of the Spanish frigate Covadonga and the sui
eide of Admiral Parcja have been used to the
best advantage to which defeats and disasters
can be applied by willy ministers, and huge
effort Is being made by them 10 defeat Prim's
revolution by exciting the Spanish people in q
common cause against foreign foe. In this
the Spanish ministry may succeed and bring
the whole nation to united and energetic
effort against Chile, in order to make the con-
test with that power short, sharp and decisive
though to all appearance Chile, aided by Peru
and the other republican States whose inter-
csts identify them with her cause, will DO q
match for the mother country. II ID, doubtless,
in the hope Of arousing this feeling Of excite
ment, in order 10 throw the Spanish people into
. fever Of war, that the Spanish ministry has
issued orders TO their new Admiral in the South
Pacific waters TO devastate 90 thousand mflesv
Of the coast Of Chile.
Has not this same purpose on the part Of the
Spanish Power also prompted the sending Of
the two Spanish vessels 70 this portf Il Il not
probable that these two frigates have been des-
patched hlthcr 10 watch the Meteor, now de-
tanned In this port - IN alleged Chilean privs-
teeri Suf1cient time hes elapsed since the
commencement Of the action against Seior
MacKsnns, the Chilean agent 70 enable the
Spanish consul 10 send word 10 Havana and
obtain the presence Of the vessels now In
and TO arrive In our port II u doubt
Lea for this purpose that they arc sent
They have come here - the Kearsarge went
to English and French ports to watch the
Alabama - the Niagara and Sacramento
went 10 Ferrol, In Spain, 10 watch the
Stonewall, and for similar purpose, but under
very different circumstances They boldly
steam into our safe and capacious harbor, with
out the slightest dread Of being served with
twenty-four hours' notice 10 quit No "twenty-
four hour rule" banishes them to the rough
waters and rude winds Oh s,ndy Hook but,
under he operations Of hisl, honest aud strict
ssutrAlity on our part they can In uuistly hy