Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-12-01
The United States and Spain.

Last week, legal proceedings were institu-
ted against the Spanish gunboats at New
York, by the Federal authorities, based up
on the objection made to their departure, by
the Peruvian Minister. Upon their face,
these proceedings show no relation to the
Cuban question. The representative OF Pe-
ru, recognized and friendly power, pro-
tests that these vessels, being intended for
service on the Cuban coast will in effect re-
lease other Spanish vessels from that sta
ton. the latter proceeding forthwith IN Oh
fensive operations against Peru. This OBJ
lection is more plausible than substantial,
but the government very properly prefers to
submit the affair to jadical investigation,
when the vessels will be discharged unless
the Peruvian agent makes good his allega
tIonS.
District Attorney Pierponte has been no
titled that a motion will be made, this week,
tor the release OF the gunboats W hether
the motion will be made to bond, or for alb
solu,e release on account of alleged deten
ton, or whether in behalf of Deiametar the
reputed owner, or the Spanish government,
or both jointly, has ot transplred. Inc
Spanish Consul, at New York, states that
his government dlG not own these thirty
gunboats-that they were the property OF
Delametar, although some money had been
paid to him, on their account.
In regard to the arrival of a Spanieh fleet
at the port of New York, the Consul says II
is coming with two objects in view: First,
il the L. States had not nterfered, some o
them would have brought crews,&c., los the
boats, while Others Intended 10 remain heref r
repairs Second, If President Grant desires
to favor few hundred Cubans, and accord
to them Ueligerent rights rather than con
tinue in friendship and peace with over Is,
900 600 Spanish subjects, then the Spanish
VI mister would demand his passport, an
come on here aud embark on one of the IA
val vessels and return TO Spain. And Third,
that the coming of Spanish flee. meant no
insult to our nation, but as the American
government had taken so many precauti"na
~ measures. it was but proper that hi go
erUment should do likewise.
Thus stands the case at present Wha'
the final result will be remains to be seen
Whether the action of our National author
tiles will lead to a rupture between this
country and Spain. time alone can deter
mine. But We can judge what the proba
ble decision will be, when we remember that,
but a few months since, we sold several OF
the public vessels monitors, then lying al
Mound City, to the Peruvian authorities.
and permitted their going hence by way oi
New Orleans-the objections of the Span
l>h Minister to their de- arturo being met
by the solemn assurances of the Peruvian
government that actual hostiIiries between
that country and Spain were at an end. Ii
/, pretty apparent, therefore, that the lie
ruvian protest, under which the sailing of
he gunboats is delayed, is only blind, re
:, rted to in an emergency in the interest Of
1f the Cuban revolutiOnists, and cannot
withstand the investigation now to be made
that the boats will be released, and that
amicablc IT latious will continue between
Spain and the United States.