The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-18


gress to solve the problem Its solution is
not the appropriate function of Congress, but
of the head of the Treasury Department, if
the department had competent head. In
England, the initiative is always taken in such
matters by the proposer of the budgets the
speeches of the Chancellor of the Exchequer
answering, in most respects, to the reports of
our Secretary of the Treasury In this coun-
try, great financial exigencies have occurred
but seldom, but the way through them has
always been piloted by the head of the Trea-
sury Department At the beginning of the
Government the policy was Hamiltons; at
the beginning of the war it was Chases; and
we are not likely to have sagacious policy
now until we get man of brains and bold
ness for Secretary of the Treasury. Neither
Mr. Boutwell, nor anybody else is any wiser
for his visit to this city. There is no reason
to suppose that he knows himself what he will
recommend to Congress in his annual report.
CUBA-THE TIME FOR ACTION BY THE
ADMINISTRATION
From the ~ Y. Herald.
Our European telegraphic news gives us
repetition of the old story of another triparite
arrangement or coalition of the powers of
Europe to secure the possession of Cuba to
Spain. This time, it is said that England,
France, and Austria have taken some action
against the policy and views of the United
States with regard to Cuba, and that in reply
to a circular sent by Spain to the different
nations, relative to the communication of the
American Minister at Madrid, these great
powers have answered favorably to 1the
rights of Spain. 1t has been said even that
they will form coalition for sustaining Spain
in Cher rights" All this comes, too, at the
time when General Prim has been having in
terviews with the Emperor Napoleon. Then,
as a supplement to this news, and in q certain
b. s,n1rA NF fa,,,N1 a.
formed by a Madrid journal that General
Prim had sent from Paris telegraphic des-
patch to the Spanish Government declaring
that he would not hesitate at any sacrifice to
subdue the insurrection in Cuba Then,
again, portion of this news has been con-
tradicted.
Now, the question arises, what do all these
reports and this agitation signify OF portend?
Simply this, that the Cuban question has
assumed an important character in Europe as
well as in America, that Spain is troubled
about it and looking round for support, and
that it is fast eliminating to a solution. 1t is
the natural fermentation of ideas and in
terests on the subject on the eve of crisis
Some of these reports doubtless, are canards,
or are manufactured from prejudice to the
United States or for political purposes. Still
there is at the bottom evident hostility to the
mediation of the United States in Cuban
affairs and to the proposed purchase of the
independence of Cuba through our Govern
ment. But this talk about a tripartite coali-
ton is nonsense. Neither France nor Eng
land, and, least Of all, Austria, will go into
any such Quixotic enterprise. Whatever the
feeling or wishes of the Emperor Napoleon
| regard to the Cuban question, they will not
risk any difficulty with the United States
| about it,
| 1t will be remembered that a tripartite
treaty of France, England and the United
States to secure the possession of Cuba to
| Spain was proposed to this country during
| the administration of Mr.. Buchanan, and that
it was promptly and properly rejected by the
United States. Times have changed greatly
since that period. This mighty republic has
developed power and strength little dreamed
of before. Napoleon burned his fingers too
painfully in the imperial Mexican experiment
to venture again upon any active interference
in the affairs Of America as in hostility to the
American policy of the United States. Eng
land has too much at stake and is too wise to
interfere, and she knows we'll enough that
her interference would only arouse the Ame-
rican people and Government to more deter
mined action in favor of the independence
of Cuba. AS to the talk of endangering or
weakening our position on the question of
the Alabama claims, that is a mere bug
bear We are in no hurry to settle
these CLAIMS We do not and Shall not admit
that there is any parallel between the action
of the British Government in recognizing the
belligerency of an integral portion of this
republic and any action that we may take in
the case of a neighboring American people
fighting to throw off the despotic yoke of
European power. The time must come wheI
the opportunity will arise and we shall have
the power to settle the Alabama claims in oul
own way. This bugbear will not deter the
people and Government of the United States
from sustaining Cuba and from carrying ou
great and cherished American policy on this
hemisphere. But if we may judge from the
tone of the leading press of England, NJ
effort will be made to frustrate the action o
the American Government or to preven
Cuba from becoming independent. AS t.
Austria, it is sheer nonsense to speak abou
her interference. The rumored tripartit
coalition is a canard and an impossibility.
Spain may bluster and be foolish enough Il
send out to Cuba iron-clads and fresh troops
but she is not SO stupid as to think of war Will
nize the independence of the Cubans. Sh
has enough to do at home, and no natioi
would lend her a helping hand Not that w
have much confidence in the wisdom Of Spain
for she foolishly fought to the bitter end ant
ruined herself to no purpose in her wars wilt
the South American colonies, and it is posi-
BILE she may do the same in the case of Cuba
Nor is this country under any obligation t.
, Spain to forego its policy towards Cuba; fo
during our civil war she prove
, herself unfriendly in joining at frs
the coalition against Mexico and re