The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-29
Senator Summers Views on the Cuban
Question Unchanged.
Manifest Destiny of the West
Indies.
Canada a Desirable Acquisition
for New England.


Indies Only n Question OF Time-Danadn n
Desirable Acsuisits ,n---srhe Alabama Guess
tiOn-Ensl.ni Ready to Renew Negotiation.
There Is authority for saying that the position OF
Senator sumner the Cuban question ID un-
changed. Having his attention drawn to-day TO q
despatch from this city In New York paper setting
forth that within few days ne had expressed views
which would indicate a change In his opinions
about Cuban independence, Mr.. Sumner said II WAS
the first he had heard OF It, II the administration
was about to change its policy toward Cuba he said
ha would like to know 1t, 80 that he might be pre-
pared for II. The Senator says all his information
from CUBA Is to the effect that the insurrection IL
growing weaker and IL near Its close. he has seen
nothing that would lead him TO change the opinions
he has already expressed ON that subject. 1t
is q mistake to suppose that Sumner opposes the
recognition OF the Cubans on the ground that their
constitution, as he alleges, Is not pronounced
In favor OF freedom to the blacks lie Is not anxious
for the annexation OF Cuba to the United States
any terms. "The Cubans,n says Mr.. Sumner. "dOnt
speak our language. The mass OF them know very
little about our customs or our Institutions They
would not be intelligent acquisition and cannot
see that they would be valuable in any respectn
Mr.. sumner thinks We Will get all the West INDIA
islands sooner than we want them and that We
should neither purchase them nor assist IN wrestling
them from the Powers to which they belong From
this it may be inferred that the Senator opposed to
the purchase OF st. Thomas, and also to leasing the
Bay OF SANTANA. Like all New England men, sumner
Is anxious for the annexation Of Canada. That, he
says. would be a valuable acquisition, because 1t
would De an Intelligent one. The people SPEAK our
language and are familiar with our Institutions
With regard TO Cuba, however, Mr. Sumner Is not
likely to change his positions for il other did
fnp afnph hohh n
took on the question or beligerency In his Alabama
claims speech would stand In the way. senator
Sumner is highly pleased with the character OF the
recently published correspondence on the Alabama
claims question. He thinks the administration has
stood up to the high water mark OF his speech de-
l,vered when tho Johnson Clarendon treaty was
rejected by the Senate. Ii was well known to the
Senator ut the time that the Instructions of the State
Department TO Mr.. Motley were in accordance with
the sentiments expressed in that speech, and hence
he sat calmly under the severe criticism OF the
British press a. well az certain portion of the
American press. Mr.. Sumner thinks the British are
in better humor now than they were last spring.
Than he says they acted ike painted savages; now
they are Modified and he thinks, ready to
reopen the negotiations The disposition OF
our government TO wait for what MIR.
Fish terms Favorable opportunity" for
reVflnS luc uegOuhllOHb HbS, III Tie OplutOn Oh MI
sumner, had good effect upon Great Britain. IL
has made her more anxious to have speedy settle
ment, because she feared.that delay might result In
our discovering the Favorable opportunity TO be
about the time England was involved in difficulty
with some of her neighbors. Mr. Sumner is satisfied
that the negotiations VIII be reopencd early day
ana that they will be conducted in Washington.
Heavy Purchases Of American Arms by the
Russian and Turkish Governments.
European governments are gong very extensively
into the business OF purchasing arms In TINS coun-
try. Lately the Russian government obtained from
Colts factory in Connecticut 100000 rifles OF the
Berdan pattern and It Is said that further pur-
chase Of an equal number Is being negotiated, Not
long since Mons Blacque, the Turkish Minister
bought $50, 900 Springfield rifles for the Sultan,
200 900 Of which have already been sent to Constan-
tinople, the balance soon to follow IN connection
with tins curious fact 1t Is said that either the Rus
sian Turkish government, or both are negotiating
for the purchase OF portion OF the Harper's Ferry
property recently sold by our government TO some
private capitalists. Their object in SECURING part
OF the property Is said to be for the purposes OF
pair shops or factories. The Iact OF such large
quantities OF arms being procured mere by foreign
governments has given rise to speculation as TO
what they are needed for Just now. Is Turkey
really going to war with the Khedive, or has Russia
an Idea OF pepperlng the ''sick man. once mores
Tue Navajo Indians Conquered.
Tho Indian Bureau has Official reports from the
Navajo agency stating the Indians have received
thor annuity goods and presents of goats and sheep
from the government, which has had the effect OF
STRENGTHENING the relations OF peace.
The California and Oregon boundary SUR
vey.
Mr.. Dante, G. Major, United states Astronomer
and surveyor OF the boundary between California
and oregon, mas arrived In Washington with his
hnal report OF this important survey.
The New York Commercial Navigation COM
pany.
IL ia said that internal difficulties exist in the
Commercial Navigation Company or New York,
which likely to lead to the defeat OF the bill re-
Gently introduced in Congress for its benefit. Tho
acti of the foreign steamship companies in refs-
Ing carry the mails at the reduced rate OF postage
makes 1t desirable that the work should be under
taken by American steamers. II the company re-
ferred to was organized or there was prospect OF
is speedy organization 10 Is admitted by the Post
master General that 1t would enable him to be moro
independent with the foreign steamship companies.
AS 1t Is however It IS feared the petty quarres OF
those interested IN the proposed American steamship
company will lead to Its dissolution.
The New York Post Once Investigation.
six members OF the House Committee on Post
oflces and Post Roads left here tonight for New
York TO investigate matters CONNECTED with the con-
struction of the new Post once and Court House
building They viii hold their FIRST meeting NJ the
Aston House tomorrow, instead OF next Saturday,
as previously stated.
distractions 10 City improvements.
The case OF the Baltimore aud 0hio Railroad Com
pany charged with obstructing the public highways,
was taken up IN the Criminal Court today. II was
In testimony that the company refuses to conform TO
tue street grade, thereby retarding city improve.
ments The object OF the suit Is to compel obedience
TO municipal Jaw.
THE SPANISH GUNBOATS.