New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-11-27
COBd'iy lilly.


We repeat that the strength OF the claim
made by Peru in the matter OF the Spanish
punboats lies In the fact that her authorities
have insisted that she is, to all intents, at war
with Spain. 1t is to be presumed that Peru
knows her own mind, and can settle for her
self whether or not she wishes to make war
with her ancient enemy. There is no law OF
nations to prevent her. in the premises, from
doing so and whether she chooses to call
dead war to life, or resucitate one lately dor
mapt. it is quite clear that the main object OF
making war is not hard to arrive at In other
words, il Peru has will to become the active
ally of Cuba, and avenge her own Old wrongs,
there Is certainly way.
Arguments to the contrary Notwithstanding,
tho present position of Peru is o formidable
reassertion of the fact that the war opened
some years ago between her and Spain never
reached legal and definitively acknowledged
end. II IL true that such cessation of hOstil-
tiles occurred as made it equally possible for
Peru to take out her monitors under promise
to keep tho peace, and Spain to receive pur-
chased aid and comfort in yarions shapes
from our shores The remarks of Mr.. Seward
to Mr.. Goni, that peace may be restored
"by long suspension OF hostilities without
"peaoe being made" and that 1t has not
been settled "what time should elapse
"to Justify presumption of peace" meet
the case. The Peruvian Minister'S letter
in April, 1868, declaring that :" the war
"has assumed character which can only be
qualified with propriety an imperfect peace"
docs not help the anti-Peruvian view of the
gunbOats. Even Minister Garcia's announce
ment that Peru had no intention OF changing
tho existing situation "by renewing hostilities
"to which she may not DO directly provoked"
did not settle the peace question. Minister
Garcia's subsequent declaration in July that a
state of war existed but nominally. and that dc
Jacto IL had ceased proves nothing, while he
insists in the same breath that the allied Re
publics held to the existence OF war so long as
n solemn treaty of peace was not entered into.
Even the CHILEAN Presidents announcement that
the war had ended in fact is not conclusive.
All that is ascertained is that Spain and Peru,
out of sheer helplessness, had tactly agreed to
n cessation of hostities, an underlined truce
liable TO be broken by either Of the two
Powers whenever its interest prompted. But
that war was maintained as principle, and
had not legally ceased in default OF solemn
treaty, seems TO DO made evident in the very
letters which have been quoted against the
Peruyians. The release of the Peruvian
monitors will be made the most OF by the
Spanish side OF the controversy; but the
question of the actual existence of o
war, "a placed by the Administration
of Gen. Grant in the Courts of the United
States, cannot be glibly adjudged. The recog-
milton of Cuba by Peru ought to give emphasis
TO any warlike plea she chooses to raise, and,
under ordinary circumstances, ought to be ac-
counted by Spain measure OF open, actual,
earnest warfare If, as some apprehend, Spain
will declare war against us in the event OF
decision of Congress fayoring Cuban recoSnl-
ton, why does she not at once open guns on
Peru for doing the same thingf
The late extraordinary admissions made TO
one OF our infOrmants by the Spanish Consul
ut this port will not go far to give moral aid
to the nation most interested in the thirty
gunboats under seizure. He observes, with an
amazing caudor, that Spain has appropriated
six millions for screw corvettes, which will
now be spent on England, and, what is moro
striking still, declares that Spain disowns the
thirty gunboats, which she holds to be- the
property Oh MI. DclhuhteI, tnouBu IL 10 tiuo
that money has been paid him. But this
boisterous diplomat was never so loudly astute
az when he said that il the United States tried
to prevent the sailing of the gunbOats directly
TO Cuba, and threw them on Mr.. Delamater's
hands, there were certain Englishmen
who would buy them FOR Spain. His
threat that IL President Grant inspires
a decision contrary to Spain, the Min
lister of that impecunious but Strengthening
Power will embark on,one Of the seven vessels
which our Government is so well prepared to
checkmate, deserves attentive study. But,
after reading this last manifesto, we are the
more tempted to revert to our main suspicion
that Peru and Spain can fight their battle out
in the courts with a wonderful amount of
ingenuity. and with no great loss to Peru. 1t
is no matter Of sudden decision, we repeat,
that Peru is not at war if she wishes to DO 30;
and it is just possible that her attitude may
prove great providence in this emergency of
Cuban fortunes
IL ia eyidpnt that Cantain- General De Roles