The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-08-07
OUR NEUTRALITY.
7 he seizure Of the spanish Gunboats In
New York.

Tho seizure OF fleet of fifteen Spanish gnn.
boats iu New York harbor on tuesday, by the
Federal authorities, is regarded there as 9
startling proceeding under the circustances'
The Express feels oound to believe, until there
is proof To the contrary, that the marshal has
been acting upon information which he was
not at liberty to disregard. The Express adds
The allegation s that there is reason to be-
Iieve these vessels are to be employed with hos
tile intent against Peru; but as there has been
profound peace existing between Spain and
that remote republic for TWO years or more past,
1t must be very confding disposition-so 1t
seems to us-that can accept that allegation
without challenge aud without SUSPICION. The
Spanish government, doubtless, is in the habit
of doing great many foolish thiIRs, but at q
time when civil war is threatening 1t at home,
and q revolution is in full blast in cuba, we do
not believe it is fool enough to send fleet o.
gunboats away of to the waters OF the South
Pacific, to reopen an old, but now substantially
made-up-quarrel with Peru
The probability is that these vessels were
designed as patrols Of the Cnban coast, 10 or
der to prevent the landing of filibuster expedl-
lions from the United States. The Cuban re
Volutiopsts not being recognized as belliger-
ents by this government, or course there IS no
violation OF international law on the part OF
Spain in fit ing them out in this harbor, but as
II IN order to make out case. the marshal
appears to have bethought himself OF Peru and
If the old war between that power and Spain.
be seen whether, as the lawyers say, it will
hold water. The assumption that the war WITH
Peru is TO be reopened has fuS tive, sneak-
ing look about it that, to our way OF thiuklng,
neither comports with the self-respect nor the
dignity OF 6rst-class governments. Again,
We are confident il we want Cuba, VIC can get
it on cheaper terms than would be war with
Spain; yet We shall be agrecably su,pised II
such proceedings as these. If persisted IN, do
not lead to somesuch result.
The Tribune says:
The Cubans were in high jubilee over this
news, and have since expressed hopes that
this action portends more favorable policy on
the part of the government to southern repub-
lies, both new AMI old. II is also Iervently
hoped that General Sickes' mission will result
in the sale Of the islaui, not to the United
States, but to the native Cubans. Senior Le-
mus and the. principal members Of the Junta
assembled in secret session and dehhera;ed on
the probable policy OF the. United States to
wards Cubss 1t is more thanlik .ly that aid in
men and arms will speedily be sent to Cuba
from some Florida or Georgia port. Colonel
Rapp and several other officers Of the late ex-
pedition are in daily communication with the
Junta.
In another article the Tribuoe remarks:
1t is stated positively that the marshal acted
under orders from Washington. based on rep
resentations and Iemon5trances from tho Peru
Wan minister, who. in view Of the existence OF
hostilities between his country and Spain, pre-
tested against any strengthening OF the naval
power Of Spain from the ports and shipyards
Of sister republic, bound by treaty stipula-
tions to render no aid to the enemies OF Peru.
As the war between Spain and Peru has long
emouldered in state OF suspended animation,
1T is presumed it will now be closed by negotia,,
I, take away her eunooats. Meantime, how.
ever, the Cuban struggle may deSelope new
phases if not new complications.