Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-12-03
The snani.h GnnboaI..

The case of these vessels is suffering a
brief postponoment, though there is no lull
in the activity of the New York reporters.
Rumors Of the most startling character are
in circulation-som Of them squirting to
ward bloody war The Trl7me rivals its
contemporaries in the sensational style Of its
statements on the subject. 1t announced on
Saturday that the Spanish Minister has been
instructed TO demand his passports if the
gunboats are not at once surrendered TO the
officers of his government. \ shadow OF
doubt IL cast upon this story by the an
nouncement that the individual in question.
Senior Roberts, has not confirmed it. The
Tri51ule correspondent also states that Senior
Roberts - unhappily cannot be interviewed
"a fact which would give US high opinion
of that official but for his unfortunate ma
tiouality. The other papers discredit the re
ported ultimqtlu and the weight Of evidence
compels Us to reject the story.
The Tribune man. however. did obtain an
audience Of the Spanish consul at New York.
The results were meagre. The consul grant
ed the information that the Spanish Gov
ernment does not own the gunboats, but that
they are yet the property Of their builders,
Delamater and Co. He added that if the
United States Government refuses to allow
them to be delivered up to Spain, the above
firm will sell them to Engli-hmen. who viii at
once transfer them to the Spanish officials.
The general impression, now confirmed Of
fcially, that the gunboats are Improperly Of
the contractors. smplifes the case exceeding
ly. Ii reduces the issue to one between the
Government and Messrs Delamater and Com
pany. The Spanish Govern merit Is not a
party to the controversy. The firm is liable
for the character and intended service of all
the vessels it constructs; that is to say, its
business must not be carried on in violation
Of law. The complaint is that the gunb3ats
just completed at their shipyards, are in
tended for service against nation with which
we are at peace. Upon this charge the YES
sells are libcllei and seized by the proper Off .
GERS. Spain has but a remote connection .
with the case 50 long as It Is undergoing
legal examination When the decision Of
the courts is announced, the government of
that country will take such action as it, own
wisdom may dictate. 1t Is well to keep
his distinction in view. We do not expect
that the Spanish Minister is prepared to de-
nand the surrender to him of vessels owned
" Messrs. Delamater * Co. In advance Of a
egal decision in the case such action would
e as irregular as ridiculous
Certain papers profess to discover in the Sc
-ction of the 18th of December for the
caring Of the case, a scheme to give Con
ress an opportunity to take action in the
remises, possibly to alter the law bearing
pom the case The Spanish agents also sus- !
ect something of the kind. The counsel
" Delamater a Co. have fled legal de
land for the release of the vessels, and
caring upon the demand is to take place
lis week. 1t is therefore possible that the
uestion may be practically decided at that
me. i the decision Is adverse To Spain, :
ie expected bombariment Of New York ,
ay therefore come of earlier than was an
cipated.