Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-11-19

"what is the prospect Of a new republic
nearer us ?;' we asked.
"At the North ?'
No, sir; IN CUBA"
THE SECRETARY PUTS ON HIS DIPLOMATIC CAP
We are forced to interject, a. this juncture
an opinion that the Secretary donned his diPlo-
matte cap, and bis answer to the foregoing in
qniry was as discreetly befogging, even To our
acute perception, as any yof the leading edito-
rails In one Of our morning contemporaries. He
said something about the slowness of Spanish
diplomacy, and then. in Q reassured tone, con-
tinued Is fOllows:-"Why, Spain did not recog-
nize the independence OF Holland for nearly a
century, and after forty years only recognized
the independence OF her South American prov
inces by declaring war against them"
THE STARS INTERVIEWER DoNs HIS DIPLo-
MATIC CAP.
This full slap was not quite satisfactory to us,
and We donned cur diplomatic cap. After ad-
Justing Ii properly we asked If there was not q
lack OF Executive ability or attention to details
in the Spanish character.
THAT may be q popularity Of the Latin race.
Yet some of the most able writer's on interna-
tional law have been Spaniards and Italians
Italy has risen wonderfully In the last fourteen
years. and now exhibits as much intellectual
ability and freedom from slothfulnese as any
OF the nations of Europe. Since the days OF
maintained a we'll deserved prominence in
European affairs"
A Fish THAT WON'T BITE.
We admit that this answer was sufficiently
diplomatic to befog us again because we eouldn',
see the connection between Cavour and
Cuba, except in the way Of ALTERATION. Like q
skilful diplomat, as we are, we changed our tao
tics, and, for the nonce, humored the Governor
BY falling into his vein of thought
The death Of Cavour,' said, "was great
"Yes, it was" he answered, Gle certainly
was great man. Had he lived he would have
been Q match for Bismarck"
He was probably not quite so abrupt, 90
tyrannical q man as Bismarck" we said.
He certainly had moro saaritor in Bsodo than
Bismarck" replied the Secretary. 81 knew
him personally; but never had the pleasure Of
meeting Bismarck"
Still away from Cuba, and evidently getting
farther away from 1t, We thought, and finally
concluded to 60 about our business I'm the
plump, old-fsshioned American way. So We
asked whether the election Of the Duke Of
Aosts a. King Of Spain would materially affect
The relations Of this government with Cuba.
We had him there, We thought, and rather ex-
pected direct affirmative or negative reply.
Instead Of yes or no, however, he answered.
IL CUBA WORTH WAR?
IF the Spanish people are noted for their
slowness in diplomacy, they are also noted for
the celebrity with which they accept war. Do
you think Cuba is worth q war TO us?"
Now mark our diplomatic reply" The
Spaniards," we said, "are like the Irishman
with his coat tail on the ground"
The Premier smiled diplomatic smile, and
said" We are at peace At home, any way, II
there is trouble abroad, and we are likely to
proper to infer that Secretary Fish does not in
tend to embroil US in q war with Spain for the
acquisition or to Aid in the independence OF
Cuba, and that he thinks neither Of those OBJ.
jects can be accomplished without war.
"THE REPUBLIC TO THE NORTH OF U.s."
We remarked, a" You meant Canada when you
referred to that, didn't you ?"
"Yes, sir, referred to Canada, and I wa Q
thinking at the time that England's policy to-
wards her colonies is exceedingly generous and
very honorable. She will not interfere to pre-
vent their independence whenever they desire it.
She Gays she has held them in times past to her
great profit as q source of revenue, but tbs t
they are now an expense rather than otherwise;
from them, she is compelled to maintain gar
risons, and that now she is in honor bound to
Keep them as dependencies until they are ready
10 leave her."
GENERAL BUTLBR's SCHEME
we asked.
"Oh, that means war. Gen. Butler means
war. Although England would willingly give
up her provinces on other terms, that is, as
said before, IL they desired to 90 themselves,
he would never give them up for any other
reason. No, Gen. Buffers scheme will not do"
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
"But the Alabama claims, Governor, acia
they ever be settled?" We asked.
ooh, yes, certainly; they are bound to be set
tied some time, one way or another; very soon,
TOO, perhaps"
No oyster ever closed its mouth with more
frmness and celebrity than did Mr. Fish, after
the foregoing declaration. 1t was useless to ask
him when, where, and how the Alabama claims
will be settled, go we contented ourselves with
An inquiry as to the amount OF claims held
against us by British subjects.
'Of course we owe Great Britain something
m the way OF private claims" he said; "but we
eo!d them to be of less importance than the
alabama claims. The treaty negotiated by Mr..
claims-private claims is the proper name for
them-in the schedule with the Alabama
claims. That was the great objection to that
slider to be of a higher character, of more dig
nited Importance, than mere private claims,
which are constantly arising between citizens
OF the two governments, and which can be set
tied by An ordinary convention or mixed claims
commission. The Alabama claims involve
questions Of great gravity-of the most promi-
rent and important Characterization Of in
ternational law, requiring serious consideration
while private claims are almost invariably set
lied without danger of appeal to grave srbitra-
ment.'
HOME AFFAIRS.
Turning from foreign affairs to matters at
home, Mr. Fish expressed himself as unable to
understand what greater reformation in the
economy Of our government the revenue re-
formers can require than they are able to find
in the present internal policy of the admlnistra-
ton. He further said that the people would
not be misled by false appearances or buncombe
cries OF reform, when, on investigation, they
will see that strict economy and an honestly
successful endeavor to reduce our debt, to
relieve them from taxation, and to foster the
development Of our great resources constitute
the whole aim Of the administration.
THE oBLIQuB FRIENDSHIP OF CARL scHuRZ FOR
THE ADMINISTRATION.
How about the San Domingo treaty ." We
asked. "Senator Schurz Is On hand ready to
oppose it, By the way, he claims still to be .
friend and supporter Of the administration.
"Does he? Well, he has Q strange way Of
showing 1t, certainly" replied the Secretary
"He didn't act that way out in Missouri. 1 like
him - man very much. He is Q very able
man, but he has strange ways OF showing his
friendship"
He claims, nevertheless that he Ia n true