The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1869-07-07
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The Seizure of American Ships to be
-ftA- e-iiiiis Resisted ~ .t5-li 2S-47s q =

Resisted.
The administration has aroused TO the
necessity Of checking the wanton outrages
on the part Of the spaniards. American
ships have been seized, Or detained, at the
will of the Spaniards, and but tardy repara-
tion has been made. The American flag has
been repeatedly treated with disrespect by
the Spanish cruisers, and the government
has eone nothing TO efectually rebuke the
unjustifable conduct of the Spanish officers.
The case of the Lizzie Major is still remeIn-
bered by our people, and her tardy release
by the Spanish government Of Cuba, and
the promised indemnity have never been re-
garded by our people as a sufficient atone
ment for the insult given the American flag
We are glad to see that the government
has resolved to adopt a new policy in this
matter, and that hereafter any disregard of
the rights Of American vessels will be pun
ished. Admiral Hoff, commanding the
United States Gulf Squadron, has received
| orders from Washington to ''resist the seiz-
ure of American vessels not actively engaged
| in landing men or munitions of war; This
| is step in the right direction and one
that will meet the approval of every Ameri-.
can. America has always denied the right
of any nation to search American vessels,
and went to war with England for that
cause in 1912. Now, when in the plenti-
tude of her strength. it is not all likely that
she will allow the same thing to be
done with impunity by such feeble power
rs Spain. - . 7''
Nor is this action of the government with
out significance. Although at first the
order to Admiral HoFF appears simple
and limited, yet upon consideration, it will
be seen what latitude of Judgment it con
fers upon that officer He may now, if he
| chooses, Z" resist the seizure of any vessel
upon the ground that he does not consider
it to be "aetioely engaged " in landing mu-
nitions of war, SC. The power rests entirely
with Admiral HoFF to determine when lie
shall "resist the capture of any American
ship.
The word "resist," in the order, is one
whose meaning may be construed in many
ways, but with an American naval officer,
called upon to protect an American ship. it
can mean but first an order to the Spanish
ship to desist from all hostile attempts on
the American vessel, and secondly, the Span
lard refusing to obey, an enforcement of the
mandate by force of arms. ...-l;...-..
That we may soon hear of collision be,
tween American and Spanish men of-war, is
not only possible but highly probable. Nor
is the American government unprepared foI
hostilities. The readers ofthe STANDARD will
remember that some weeks ago we called
their attention to the fact that numerous
iron clads were being rapidly put into. CON
dition for active service. The. STANDARD
then asked, "Do these preparations mean
England or Cuba ?" The question seems
about to be answered aud f,s-...,r. soe ht,
The government seems about to inaugu-
rate new Cuban policy, one that will en-
courage the struggling patriots and dc
credit to the American people. The policy
of America has always been to aid any
brave people struggling for freedom. Tho
sympathy of the American people is unmis
takably in favor of the Cubans. President
GRANT himself is known to sympathize
with the revolutionists, as, in fact, do many
of the highest officers of the Government.
With all these facts in view, the recent in
structions to Admiral HoFF are, to say thu
least, significant of the intention of our gov
ernment to recognize the independence o.
Cuba. We hope that such is its intention
and know it could do nothing more il
unison with the feelings of the American
people. In the meantime the country will
= await with interest all developments thai
will tend to make present suppositions
glorious certainties. ..-,e,friaT .ss4-.t5,