New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-09-23
FOREIGN NEWS.
THE CUBAN QUESTION.

RETORED ALARM OF GEN. S'CKI.ES AND WITH
DRAwAL OF HIS NOTE-THE SPANISH ATTI-
TUDE.
LONDON, Sept 22.-THe Times this morning says
1.-The Spanish have found their advantage in bold
display of patriotism and national courage They
met imagined atlrOnt with immediate defiance (;
though their threatened adversary is ten times
powerful than themselves. Sckles is manfestly
alarmed at the result of his proceedings and has
quested further Instructions Pending reply from
Washington he desires TO withdraw his note. If this
is actually the position of the case Spain owes it to
her own fearlessness, which may SAVIOR of I'M
reason, but does not partake of the nature
of bravadO She has declared that If
driven TO extremity she viii fight No doubt she
will For her to gain ADVANTAGE by doing so is ont of
the question; but matters stand, she would lose
Tess by war than her adversary. America may fairly
decline an easy victory such Onerous and partial
terms. The people and Government of Spain are re-
solved not TO part with Cuba without a struggle.
contest would only result in the sacrifice of Cuba,
coupled with other and slighter losses Sickes ex.
Pected no such resistance his note has provoked.
Possibly in the face of such opposition, his proceed
iBgs may be qualified or repudiated by his Govern
ment Ii is believed that he exceeds his authority
and that America is not responsible for his act.
TIE RESULTS or A WAR WITH THE UNITED
STATES.
The Standard thinks the loss of Cuba and perhaps
Porto Rico, would DO the certain result OF a war
with the United States. Here the mischief for
Spain would end, after some months of combat for
she must agree to peace. But this mischief would
bring with it no corresponding good to the United
States War would serious interruption of
her commerce and result in the wholesale destruc-
ton of her shipping. 1t is not probable that the
American Government will interfere any further in
the affairs of Cuba.
NO QUARREL WITH STANDARDIZATION RE-
SPECTFULLY DECLINED.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 22.-After the return Of the
President this morning. and particularly he spent
several hours with Secretary Fish at the Depart
ment of State, much anxiety expressed to asceT-
tain the character of the conference the superstition
being that it had reference to our relations with
Spain. This is probable, bat there is no authority
for the positive assertion. 1t is certain, however,
that no action was taken in the premises. 1t is
already known that some time ago Minister Sickles
was instructed to offer the United States Govern
ment as mediator between Spain and Cuba, repre-
sensations having been made to it by respectable
parties who had visited Spain and obtained inter
views with prominent persOnages that its
friendly offices would meet with favor such offers
not being uncommon in own history and that of
other nations. Minister Sickles approached tthe
Spanish Government upon the subject and had the
desired interview. Contrary to European kilograms,
there is for supposing that the Spanish
Government took otfense, OF has sought to involve
other Governments in its action. The Spanish
Government, after matuTely considering the prof
fered mediation, has thanked the United States
Government for its friendly disposition, but is not
willing to agree to accommodation between
Spain and Cuba the terms proposed. The end Of
the matter simply is that the mediation is declined.
GEN. sICKLEs vINDICATED-HIs COURSE A
PROPER ONE.
WASHINGTON, Sept 22.-The sensational dis
patches sent from this city to New-York last
evening, in regard to Gen. Sickles's course in
the treatment of the Cuban question at the
Court of Madrid, have made no impression here,
where the truth is known. l have the authority of
high officer of the Government for the statement
that Gen. Sckles has acted strictly up the instruc
lions given him on his departure The Secre-
tary of State has been in daily communication
by cable with Gen. Sickles for the last two weeks.
Before Gen. Sickles lett Washington for Madrd, be
had long and free conversation with the President
in regard to the Cuban question: and their views
the subject did not vary in the least When Sickles
was about to take his departure, the President re-
marked that he Sckles knew better than any other
man in the country his ideas about the Spanish
Government, and the question agitating the public
mind concerning the Island of Cuba.