The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1870-01-06
MR.. FISH'S DIPLOMACY.

Hon. Hamilton Fish, and finds no cause
for censur or distrust in the fact that his
son-in-law, Mr.. Sidney Webster, is the
muni6cently endowed council and attor-
ney for Spain. The policy of the Hon
orable Secretary regarding Cuba COM
menced with profuse expressions of SYM
pathy for the patriot cause, with ommit-
| thug usual proclamation of neutrality
warning our citizens against violation of
laws on that subject; with permitting
armed expeditions to leave our shores !,
with sales of arms and ammunition and
war steamer, the Hornet, to Cubans !;
with giving strong words of encourage
ment to them and their friends; with
exhibiting.to the Cuban envoys his pro-
posed instructions to Mr.. Sickles to ne
gotiate at Madrid for the purchase of
the island by the Cubans for 500. 600,
900, payable IN bonds to be guaranteed
by the United States, and obtaining the
reluctant consent of the ENJOYS. IN ac1ft
ting, to acquiesce in such statement,
if it could be made by Mr.. Sickles, but
which the ENJOYS predicted would be
spurned by Spain. This was the Secre-
tary's policy up to July: About this
time the gunboats were libeed at the
prayer of the Peruvian Minister, and
Mr.. Sidney Webster was so magnificent
ly retained by Spain. In August Mr..
Sickles, finding his proposal to purchase
Cuba had irritated Spain to the quick,
under fresh instructions from Washing
ton, withdrew his note, or as the Presi-
dent expresses it in his Message. 1.-The
offer not being accepted by Spain On the
basis which we believed could be receiy-
ed by Cuba, was withdrawn" Fortu-
nateiy for Cuba, her leaders were not
deluded with any faith on American
or Spanish common sence,
and consequently they continue their
preparations for war.
Soon following the employment by
Spain of the Honorable Secretary's SON
in-law, we have to observe, beside the
diplomatic muddle at Madrid, remark
able changein the State Department and
in the Attorney Generals office. Unit
ed State Marshals become Transferred
into Spanish detectives, Juntas are ar
rested, Cuban expeditions are broken
up, Cuban ENJOYS are granted but few
interviews and are seolded for not agree
ing to an armistice in order that the ne
gotiations at Madrid might be favored, |
no confidence is reposed in the facts they
proffer showing the progress of the war
on the Island. There may be nothing
in all this, but the public
thinks it comes very near a striking CO. |
incidence, and not few think with |
Burns
'sBut och mankind unco weak,
And little to be trusted
If self the wavering balance shake,
It's rarely right adjustedr'
Mr. Fish's policy is timid, barren and /
He shows but very
ability, and utterly fails
to grasp the situation. While trying to
be consistent to international law. and
doubtless believing he is so, he plainly
reveals he has but a lawyers and not a
ans conception of it. A Jeffer-
son. a Quincy Adams, Calhoun. a |
Webster OF Marcy, in his place, would
have enlarged international law. In the |
past, our stand Oil the right that 'free
ships makefree goods shat blockadcs |
only should be recognized when main
tanned by adequate force secured the
admission of these principles into the
law of nations An able statesman
could have seized hold of Great Britain s
late declaration, by her Ministers in
Cabinet and in Parliament, to the effect
that colonies may set up for themselves
and become independent states, when
ever the clearly expressed will of the
majority may so determine-in short,
that coerced colonial vassalage no longer
exists International Law being 3 |
growth-necessarily progressive and
elastic, the new principles, as laid down
by Great Britain for her own govern
ment, might have been applied by Us
to Spain, and engrafted on the law of
nations After the PRONUNCIATION Of the
Monroe Doctrine in 1923, struggling
American colonies expect us at the first
voiable moment,to strive to have that
doctrine embodied in International Law.
The world expects it and would acquie-
see.
By private advices from Washington
we are glad to learn that some of the
ablest men of our party, in the Senate
and the House, are SO much dissatisfied
with the Secretary's refusal to reveal
the condition of the negotiations at Mad
rid, and are so impressed with the prog
ress of the revolutions, that it is prob
able that a joint resolution acknowledg- |
ing Cuba's belligerent rights will be
passed this week.-IhiladeLphia Morn.
ing Post