The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-09-27
OUR HARB0R BL0CKADED.
PRUssIA's MODE OF TESTING UNITED
STATES NBUrRALITY

Wild Rumors Ahont-Stranae Innct' on Of
the Uhited States Govornment-Insbilitv
20 Protect It's Comncrce-nIust Merchant
ships sneak In and cut Of Our Harberss
The city was yeterdsy alive with rumors re
gardine the blockaded steamer hermann, anl the
evening papers reveiicd In exaggerated staten onts
regarding her detention and the action taken in
sequence by the interested parties. The main fact,
however. Is that the ship eth rides at anchor or
Staten Island, while the French gunboat keeps
vigilant watch for her just across the bar. II is
not true reported by one evening paper that tais
blockading vessel entered the harbor and steamed
around the Hermann with
pERIsrvn SHOUTS NJ uEa oesw.
Such proceeding, besides being: :disrespectui 10
the United States Government, would be beneath
the dignity OF regular naval vessel sailing under the
Gag OF . great power The naval es well as military
orncers Of NIL European nations pride themselves on
matters Of etiquette. and are pupctilious in tleir
courtesy toward adversary. This Is particularly
tho case with Freedmen, who have worldwide
reputation for pobeness.
PROTEST or TIE PRUsIAYs.
On Saturday. when the Bernnnn returned to port.
telegrams were sent 70 Washington protesting
agpinst the action OF the French cruiser. II was
charged that the Frenchman Lad been lpinE nt an
chor OF the Battery. evidently Watching tho large
Prussian merchaut tneet now lying in this harbor.
When II was definitely known that the Hermann
was TO GO 10 sea, the vigilant Frenchmsn went out
aud took up her position OF the bar 10 watch for the
proposed prize. This regarded as violation Of
the rights Of hospitality, as well as an infringement
OF the neutrality lawsand 80 represented to the Gov
ernmsnt at Washington. But either because there Ia
| NO REPRESENTATIVE oy rHs GOVERNMENT
| competent to take cognizance OF tie now
| present at Washington, or from some other cause
| not explained. no roaponse hns been received TO
this protest, and the begerens remain in the same
| relative positions on Saturday and Sunday. The
Hermann desires to leave port In 3 regular way,
and with a fair start, aud will then not object to
taking her chances against The entire feet OF France,
| any vessel OF which she can outssi and readily
| escape. But It would be msnitesuy hazardous for
her to set sail with an armed cruiser lying dircc,lE
| In her track and ready TO Open her batteries ppOn
hor as coon as size crosses the bar Therefore Is
that the German merchsntman Is waiting for the
| Government Of THIS country to remove tho impu-
| dent blockader from the mouth Of the harbor. If,
| after reasonable time. this is not done, and the
| Government thus permits itself TO he insuted and
| its commerce attacked In the most prominent and
Important Of Its ports, thus conicssiug It's
INABILITY TO PROTECT Iis Own ISTEREsrs
the Hermann will assume the responsibility OF lcav.
rE port ai the first favorable moment sue car un-
| doub'edy suoak out at night, or under cover OF a
| log. ana ovade the blockade just as many Britis
steamers ran In and ont Of our Southern ports pGs,
| large bockad!ng squadIous during tire war Of the
rebellion Tho question is not wietbcr tho Hermann
can Get to sea- but whether she may sail rom tfii
port On the same footing with English steamers OF
| ships carrying tie flag Of any other government or
| whether tue United States will
PERMIT FRANCE TO BLOCKADE oUR PORTS
| against Prussisn vessels.
| The absurd story was put afnat yesterday that an
armament was teing put aboard tao Herniann. and
tAa the Wcstphaiil. llsU armed, noud Join her to-
| morrow, aud that the two In company would leave
| the harbor and taAo the chances OF an Engagement
| with u NJ euch guhbolt Any Que at all conversabt
| with mnratine sff irs will the folly OF such a
proposition AT gnnce. II IL euiicient TO say that
tbore Is no foundation whatever for IL Tho very
great disparity In the values Of the eombatants
ss5 .'fS S 'ss Si ssssl %sss
would secrecy he deserving OF mention besido the
loss OF one OF the German steamers with her Vaua-
| Die freight.
THE ESCAPE oY THE uBRN,Ss
| At about ot.ock Yesterday afternoon, every.
thing being IN readiness. tic llcruluu weighed an.
| choT and steamed southw1fd. A. she Iass Il Sandy
| HooE, the lockout AM ouncCd the appearance OF q
| strange looking crlt bearing to the Fast at the
distance Of six or eight miles, about three points
| hustle aboard the hermann. Capt. Reichmann
| ran alOt, glass In hand, AMI took a long look
at the distant vessel which after time he declared
| to be the Dhtomaite. The course OF the Hermann
| was at ouce changed ard her speed increased, and
tie pilots report that she got out 10 sea runuilg
| away from the FrenchmIn like a swan away from \
ul-turile. II Is 10 be Presumed tlaI the llerm
las therefore ruceeded In running the OloCgaie,
| that size will reach Bremen IN due course OF time
| unscathOd.
rRESCnHRs AT NORWICH.
| NoRwIcu, Conn. Sept. 9-TLe French frIgale
| Mngicienne and two corvettes arrived at New Lon.
don las, night, and will remain several days. 1his
| afternoon the frigate exchan yed salutes with forl
| where she will repair some slight damages. caused
| by the storm Of the 18Th