The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-04-10
spanish Outrage ON British Territory.

Spanish Outrage ON British Territory.
1t will be seen by the news from Nassau,
which we publish in another column to-day,
that the Spanish naval officers, in their zeal
to capture the steamer Comanditario and her
crew, have gone far beyond the bounds of dis
erection. AS appears by the accounts, the cap
tors, after obtaining possession OF the ship,
touched in the outer harbor of Nassau, and
after obtaining there supply Of coal, steamed
northward. When near the Berry Islands they
were chased by two Spanish men-of-war, on
seeing which the crew ran the steamer on the
reef, and all escaped to the shore except five
of the firemen. These were captured with the
ship. The Spaniards, having manned
their boats and taken possession OF
the prize, sent a body OF marines
on shore to hunt up the fugitives. AT
the same time they overhauled an English
schooner at anchor under the island. 1t does
not appear that they found the fugitives, for
none are reported to have been carried to Ha-
vana. The landing of the Spanish marines on
British territory was high-handed outrage
and has caused great irritation throughout the
Bahamas, and we presume immediate repara-
ton will be demanded. If we continue our
diplomatic palaver with these zealots much
longer we shall not be surprised to hear they
have landed at Key West for the purpose OF
keeping our sympathizing republicans in order.
Navigation Interests In Congress.
The select Committee on American Naviga-
ton Interests has been authorized by the
House of Representatives to sit, during the
vacation of Congress, at such times and places
as may be deemed advisable, for the purpose
of taking testimony, to be reported to the
House on the second Monday in January next.
This action of the House is very well as far as
it goes; but the real work remains with the
committee, and if the committee would do
its work properly it must not be idle during
the summer and fall. The navigation interests
of this great republic and maritime nation pre-
sent subject of the highest Importance and
one which, under the present depressed state
of those interests, calls for prompt and thorough
investigation and the application of whatever
legislative remedy can be afforded. The direct
and principal cause of the decline of American
shipping was, as all know, the late war. The
cause of our shipping interests remaining so
depressed is partly on account of the high price
of materials and labor, and consequent great
cost of shipbuilding, and partly owing to the
ridiculous law which forbids American regis
tiers to vessels built outside of the country. II
is evident we cannot compete with England in
shipbuilding under the present condition CT
things, and all the protective laws we could
pass would be comparatively unavailing in
restoring our mercantile marine to what it for
mery was. True, we should encourage ship
building as much as possible, but the effectual
way to increase American tonnage and to pro-
mote our navigation interests is to allow our
people to buy ships wherever they can get them
cheapest and best and give such ships Ameri-
can registers. Let us hope the committee will
take broad views Of the subject and report
some such measures as we suggest to restore
| the shipping interests of our country.