The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-01
CUBA.

The New Naval Measurement Law-HOw
Vessels Are TO Be Measured md the Duties
Imp0sed-Santa Anna in Tr0uble-The Tel
cgraph rs . Libcratin& Agent.
HAVANA, July rs, 1858.
royal decree that appeared in the Gaceta Oncial
Of the Goth is OF great interest and importance to the
commerce Of all Spanish possessions, and therefore
demands passing notice at my hands, BY this de-
the kilolitro cubic metre, becomes the legal
ton for the burden measurement Of vessels coming
into spanish ports. The Custom House regulations
relating to the collection Of sanitary dues in &C.
cordsnce with articles $50 and 5ss Of those regua-
tons and the reduction process Of the existing tom
mage OF all national and foreign vessels
to the kilotro standard are arranged In conformity
with the law OF July 10, ls4s and form fifteen of
those adopted by the permanent Commission on
weights and Measures. The arrangement for these
ARTICLES $751; Ss is extended and applied-First, to
the tariffs and regulations relating to the premiums
for the construction OF vessels Of more than 400
tons; second to the probationary admission Of
sells 81 foreign timber that do not possess this capa
city, third to the payment Of the tariff duties apper
tanning to iron and wooden vessels when making their
entries; fourth, to all other operations and deeds
connected with the custom revenues. The decree
Ia not to have any retroactive effect but Is only ap
plcable from It's puonca.on, sna no feclama.ons
ecution are entertainable by the government. The
latter provision must necessarily insure the decree
an unwelcome reception from American ship0wners
and masters The change In the standard repre-
sentation OF the ton unity and the divers compli.
Gated provisions for a compliance with the altered
condition OF measurement Will but add TO the many
embarrassments and complexities now already in
the way OF American commerce with spanish ports.
No doubt many cases OF unprecedented error
aud perfectly unintentional deviations from the
requirements or the law must arise, aud TO inc aud
punish the innocent inlractors without any allowed
opportunity Of appeal 10 the good sense and justice
OF higher parties IA unwlse, unjust and even tyran.
meal. You may be sure that there will be an In
creasing percentage Of mposions and outrages
tins decree. The already conpncated relations be-
tween the American government and the Cuban
authorities must become more 80 until patience anu
foToearance shall cease TO be virtues and the Amerl-
can people, rising in their might, shall require IRON
SPAIN without the alternative o declension, that q
more enlightened. honest and liberal policy be foi-
lowed towards American commerce.
ExGeneral santa Anna mas had the editor OF ~
Puys brought before the tribunals OF spain, In
Havana because OF an article which his ex.Alteza
deemed highly deiamaory aad was published In the
columns OF that paper OF TIE 11th inst The eX ire
sident Of Mexico declares MS ability TO sdow how
badly represented ana yi.iied he has been by said
editor. The case was opened and then postponed
for "a few days"
The citizens OF santiago dc Cuba and other places
have petitioucd the captain General 10 he allowed
communicate direct by Telegraph with the United
states and Europe without having 10 reveal th'
secrets OF their messages TO thlrd parties In TIM
capital In order to have them forwarded, "a ha
hitherto been done. Ills Excclency has promised u
remove the obstacles In the way OF sucli a cOnsum
nation. after consulting with the telegraph officers