The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-08-07
OUR NEUTRALITY.
7 he Seaxssrc OF the Spanish Ganboats I'm
New York.

The seizure OF o feet of fifteen Spanish gum
boats in New York harbor on Tuesday, by the
Federal authorities, is regarded there as q
startling proceeding under the circumstances
The Express feels bound to believe, until there
is proof to tho contrary, that the marshal has
been actipg upon information which he was
not at liberty to disregard. The Express adds:
The allegation is that there is reason TO be-
leve these vessels are to be employed with hos
tile dntent against Peru; but as there has been
profound nesce sSssi:.S ss:wesn Spsin aud
that remote republic for cwO years or more past,
1T must be o very conRding disposition-so it
Beems to us--that can accept that allegation
without challenge and without suspicion. The
Spanish government, doubtless, is in the habit
OF doing great many foolish things, but at q
time when civil war ia threatening 1t at home,
and o revolution is in full blast in Cuba, we do
not believe it is tool enough to send feet OF
KuDboats away off to the waters OF the South
Pacific, to reopen an old, bat now substantially
made-up-quarrel with Peru. rl4
Tho probability is that these vessels we're
der to prevent the landing of flibuster expedi-
tions from the United States. The Cuban re-
volutlonlsts not beng recognized as belliger-
ents by this government. of course there ID no
SPUN in fitting them out in this harbor, but as
If IN order to make out o case, the marshal
appears to have bethou9bt himself OF Peru and
Of the old war betweer that power and spain.
~
be seen whether, as the lawyers say, it will
hold water. The assumption that the war with
Peru ls to be reoEened has fugitive, sneak
ing look about it that, to our way Of thinking
neither compcrts with the self-respect nor the
dignity OF q drst-class government. Again,
we are confident il we want Cuba, we can get
it on cheaper terms than would be o war with
Spain; yet we shall be agreeably sutpised il
such proceedings as these, If persisted in, do
not lead to some such result.
The Tribune says:
The Cubans were in high iuhilee ,oYer this
news. and have since expressed hopes that
this action portends more favorable policy on
the part OF the government to southern repub-
lics. both new AMI old It is also feryentlv
hoped that Genera! Sickles' mission will result
in the sale of the islan1, not to tie United
States but to the native Cubans. Senor Lc-
assembled In secret session aud deliberated on
the probable policy Of the United States to-
men and arms will speedily be sent to Cuba
rom some Florida or Georgia port Colonel
Rapp and several other officers Of the late ex-
pedition are in daily communication with the
Junta. ( NG0 N
In another article the Tribune remarks:
It is stated positively that the marshal acted
under orders from Washington. based on rep
resentatfons and femOustranoes from the Peru
ayian minister, who, in view of the existence OF
hosti!ities between his country and Spain, pre-
tested against any strengthening or the naval
power of Spain from the ports aud shipyards
OF a sister republic. bound by treaty stipu,a-
tlons to render no aid to the enemies OF Peru.
AS the war between Spain and Peru Has long
smouldered in state Of suspended animation,
tion. and that Spain will therenpol be emitted
t. take away her euno0ats. Meantime, how
ever, the Cuban truggle may develope new
phases II not new complications.