New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-11-24

TIoNs. .. e-.5 10 n. SAW r-nrr. .er.t
FRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT ~
~WAsHINGToN, Nov 2S.-There is no doubt that our
relations with Spain, in the matter of Cuba. have
reached critical point and it win assuredly require
skIlful negotiations 10 prevent a rupture between
the two Governments. There are two questions in
yolved in the Spanish complicatiOnl1) That relat-
ing to che release of the Spanish gunboats which
have been built in New-YOTk. (2) That relating to
the recognition of the belgerent rights OF the Cuban
Republic. When the thirty gunbOats which Capt.
Ericsson has been building for the Spanish Govern
ment in New-York, were seized in August last by
order from Washington. the Spanish authorities
made energetic circumstances and there is the best
of reason for believing that the instructions sent
from Madrid to Senior Roberts, the Spanish
Minister here, made it an imperative necessity
for him TO procure the removal of the
embargo. After brief delay our Government
allowed the work to proceed upon them-the con-
tractors agreeing not to permit them to go TO sea
without the express permission of our Government
and Admiral GOdon, the naval commandment at New
York, being instructed to watch and guard them
strictly with such naval force as was at his COM
mand Their construction has been carried on under
the strict supervision of Spanish officers and en-
gneers sent to this country and every stop in their
progress has been reported almost simultaneously to
Washington and Madrid. The embargo itself ere
ated the deepest feeling among the members OF the
Regency in the official circles of Madrid, and in the
Spanish press. 1t was brought TO the attention OF
Gen. Sickles by the Minister of Foreign Affairs i'm
medaely after the receipt of the dispatch from this
country announcing it; and the interview between
these functionaries was Of such a stormy nature
as not only to bring about breach of
their intercourse but to threaten breach of the in
tercouIse between their Governments. Since then
-. l.. l.
ngton but 1T has been evident all along that they
could not possibly last great length of time; for,
on the completion of the gunboats the Spanish Min
lister would necessarily demand their release accord
ing to his instructions, and our Government would
either have to let them go their errand of destroy
ing the Cuban Republic, Oh would have to hold them
under Spanish menace - ---rs 90 .I .
The time for decision has now come. The Spanish
Government is DESTROYS that those of the gunboats
which are already completed should be permitted to
sail aud though it cannot be said that our Govern
ment has received peremptory demand for their
release it is certain that the dispatches which have
been received by the State Department regarding
them are of such nature to require very speedy
answer. U.
In bringing the whole question under the jurisdc-
ton of the United States Court at New-York, in
order to obtain decision to the right of our Gov
eminent to hold these gunbOas against the demands
of Spain the President has taken a step which as
sures him legal ground for his action in any con-
tingency that may may arise. Spain. of course,
holds to the position that. as our Government has
permitted her to build these gnboas and to pay for
them, it is violation of justice and her rights to
prevent her obtaining possession OF Them i-l
1t is probable that the correspondence this sub
ject between the two Governments has been much
warmer than has yet appeared, and that especially
within the last few days there have been some pas
sages of a very determinate character 1t is fact
that at Madrid representations have been made to
our Minister which, beyond doubt, 20 much farther
than any of those that have yet been made by Senior
Roberts at Washington If Gen. Siekes has not
been assured of the precise contingencies in which
Span will declare war he has assuredly been given
to understand by Senior Becerra that refusal 10
deliver up the Spanish gunboats their completion
or our recognition of the beligerent rights Of the
Cuban Republic, would be accepted by the Spanish
Government as cause of hostilities,
When Spain began to indulge in these menaces
some three months ago, our Government was unpre
pared, even if il had been DESTROYS to meet them
Spain has a respectable naval force. and number Of
very effective iron-clad vessels while the condition
Of our own navy had become 50 bad that even
Admiral Porter declared II would be out Of our
make airy respectable naval demonstration. But all
this has been changed within the last 90 days
During that time business has been driven with the
greatest activity in our Nayy-Yards here and else
where A large number of our vessels have been
altered repaired and put in order for service; guns
have been mounted, new engines put ill., many of
them raised to full steam. and navy is at this
time in better condition than IL has been at any
period for years past Our feet in Cuban waters has
been strengthened; our West India Squadron has
been increased in force and some of our best IRON
clads including the Dictator, the most powerful in
the service have been sent TO Key West. In All this
there is menace 20 the Spanish authority and no
intention TO intimidate Spain; but there is q very
distinct intimation that our Government will not
permit it's policy, either 10 regard TO Cuba or any
other matter to be affected by any threats that Spain
may choose to make. 10 IA .
OF course no one can foretell the decision of the
Court at New York in regard to the question Of re-
leasing the Spanish gunbOats The matter is not so
simple as it may appear II is understood that Dis
trictAttomey Piegrepont contends that they can be
held under the act Of1s1S which forbids the fitting
and armng of vessels to be used against any power
or people with which we are at peace; but it must be
remembered that these vessels will carry no arma
ment from this country. Their armament was taken
to Cuba in Spanish figate in October when there
was some fear that the Cuban privateer hornet was
preparing to begin her depredations the high seas
There was @ policy outlined in The TRIBUNE some
weeks ago on this question which, there is reason to
believe was upheld by the President and several
members of his Cabinet. 1t looked to the issue OF a
PROCLAMATION covering both points in dispute, and
declaring M that the Spanish gunboats will he re-
leased in accordance with law w that we
cannot render this aid and comfort 10 one
of the belligerents in Cuba without accord