New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-01-13
OUR SPANISH RELATIONS.

number of diplomatic documents which have just
been brought TO light Tc Secretary Of state writes 70
the Spanish Minister. Mr. Roberts as foiows;
WASHINGTON, oct 49, 1869.
The undersigned, Secretary OF State OF tho United
states has the honor TO acknowledge the receipt OF the
Penpoentiary of spain under date OF 18Th september
DAY the undersigned left Washington for temporary
abseuce.
mr Roberts states the object Of his note TO be the sub
mission Of certain important considerations relative to
the declaration Of bcserent rights which, as IT ap,
SS6a Is intended TO grant to Tue insurgents OF
Mr. Roberts does not state how or whence appears the
intention which, ia various parts Of his note, with more
or less force OF expression, but always with equal and
assumes to be formed ana attributes to ms Government
II might be sufficient answer 10 say that no intention to
grant bCgeent rights 10 the insurgents OF Cuba has
been announced by this Government 1t is more por
fect answer to say that 10 such intention has been
reached by this Government
Tho undersigned has read with the important
considerations submitted by Mr. Roberts and observes
with great satisfaction the appreciation by that gentle
man OF the strict observance by this Government OF its
further with equal satisfaction that Mr. Roberts draws
those neutral Obligations from the precedent furnished
~ th's Government and from The diplomatic correspon-
PoDcr, in various parts OF nOte attributes to this Gov
declaration or act the Government ana which Is jus
thcd only by Mr. Robetss appreciation OF the demands
and opprehensons Of other persons. In thus view he
eGmpaTcS the policy peIslcd by spain ia 1861 with that
70 put In practice with respect to Spain;
comparison; but If one is to be drawn il should DO be-
tween the policy actually pursued by the respective Gov
by Spain and that which lIr. Roberts hnagines the
UHitedSates may be inc.ired to put IN practice.
Referring 10 the concession Of belgerent rights by
Spain 60 the southern insurgents during tho recent civil
preceded by similar concession the part Of Great
Britain France. and Prussia, and that spain could not
longer abstain from making"
TLis concession mado by Spain the 18th day Of
June, lS only siXtyN days after the assault Fort
sumter the outbreak ol the Rebellion and which was
che only combat conflict OF Of which any account
SGIiHS
matter; single and bloodess combat attack upon
on which spain based the fact Of beIllgcTcucy'
moio precpate even th3n SPAN IN Their haste TO grant
bcUgCCcDt rights TO the insurgents OF the United States;
RuG sac example OF these mUnarchies of the Old World
ma o. pleaded by tue Republics of Peru, Chill ard
BoiNis, N the New, IN their proceeding toward Cuba,
FOR months. instead Of days ana until scores of conflicts
had been fought and the slain were numbered by thou
The United States have rot followed these or any SINH
lar prcecdeuts When Mr. Roberts alludcs 20 the geo
graphical and maritime situation Oi SPAIN, ns present
Ing the necessity fo her action in June 1901, the under
Fgned Is forced 10 admit mat the geographical ard mari
limo situation OF neutral power may become CONTROL
ilg IA dGfsns ~ atoIf tG~aI parties
power. The United states have felt aud still feel the
Ing conflict IN Cuba. Bu in this connection tho under
siFned is compelled 70 o5k himself The question whether
the possessions OF spain N 1851 than ING scehe OF the
present conflict Is to the territory OF the United states
and he fails to that the maritime situation OF Spain
as intimately affected by tho ciy war IN tho United
States the maritime situation Of the United States IS
affected by that which racs IN tho nc.shborus island VI
Cuba.
after battle has beer fought, thousands OF lives have
been sacrificed and the result IS eth in suspense Bat
lions which, ia 1851, controlled the action OF Spain aud
boodios5 conflict Of arms aud within % days from s
date RiQuemc, OF the ables moncrn writer's on In
tefuatiOGa law ul whom the world is indebted to
SPAIN says that foreign Intervention In civil may
BE- excusibe when thc interest OF humanity evidently
feauiTrs it, or Wien he csseEai utercss OF state are
injured hy the civil war OF a neGhhOuuE Power No
rlanis Of humanity were alleged g, calling for nterveL-
iiun ia tho civil war IN the United States;
tho contrary, humanity called for the repression
nent and oppression Of a race 1hO undersigned las
not nov ts remind i la19FS Of ne '8gSaG td
70 renons rate agausS the atrocities aud the cIucltcs
Th.cG have attended the conflict Cuba for tho past
rear; and II these ctuclt..s and this lnbuuauy have
Of tbe justification for intervention assigned by tho cmi
Dent Spanish authority referred TO has been 50 much the
NOSE pressing. The Infed states nave not acted ulon
this Justification assgu,d BY laqnelue, nor by that
at their very thresh" bnt nave ,tA n'oh helt e3iy
established policy under mich, u 40 IS ming OF their
tic subject and in advance OF other nations 49, set the
etamYI Of TSpTesn$ S!1%n,HS Of nyH'S c 10 ae
proud feature IN their history aud THOR strict adherence
tOit during subsequent years when spain Was engaged
10 with her revoed PROVINCES are eanddy admit
rus principle has controlled their proceedings with re-
sHrd 10 tho war IN Cuba Il does not however admit
,he Indefinite protriction Of conflict IN CONTIGUOUS
territory, such as llat WHEN mas existed IuI fe past
year i That slauda conflict marked with erueltles, aud
civilized warfare 10 quote again The language Of
Rquclnc, Humanity ana the essential interests Of
friendship of the Government Of The United states ior
gain urrokcn during existence as nation, has Lea
ito hope fora dnSrelt t0utlon 10 {he 'uheuiueS WIN
which ia ancient ally finds herseIi involved III sun
hopes and VIII continue 20 nope lOl suoh s0utiou ~
snt action as a Sovereign Power The fuluEe OF The con,
rs aud conduct Ntdetcrniae the fuIurc coCroe ~
lhts Government. The undersigned cannot close tbs
without the expression % regret tat 1ait OF hr
Ruh,rls note Seem 10 !"e pcen written under nissan
hrnson u facts that have occurred MS well ~ OF the
,u.rii aud operations 81 Government founded upon
liberal pfne1'es' ana er1lg UhUgr ,,so o ;o1
asylum 90 ~" oppressed 1i ~ tiOLdAe-; many % tc
.uU, a.. II. a- az. j. 3, IS , - ,'s l Ui .t Leu
fay. risCd tho hospitality extended ALIKE 10 all tiis Is
o0f i,r ilult q tLo Ju..rg states.
,ciio 10 ai citizens changers, restricted only TO The
peace The Constitution q tie United It tes secures 70
Inc 3n,p tho lr DO Gently 80 assemble ana also %
keen la bear arms; IL secures them in their pcryn7
against unreasonable .caIch anu seizure ana provinces
taf mo- Nslfpt shall i-,us upon probable cause, sup
uOrrd oath aiirInilcD. ana thUt no person sI4H
Or deprived OF hc, hbotty o. property WiIoat dUe pro-
certain inaIcontcut Crbaus suhjccts Of SPAIN have
usoO.erucd and aDufcd tai privileges tUt accUrdtd ny
liberal Government, Ito undersigned nccd not ltiiud
SIR Roberts what the Occurrences daly reported irom
snfU.s the ocean sbDWiIgthat Governments CANNOT
always restrain thti 'letoHt,hi suy'ts ~ i,4N'''
Laws VIII be broken ~ uues ana happy lHt jolm or
sOysuiucnt tlaJ cen Oontr"i be tendency Of ey minus,
lnd restrain 10y ia peaceful agencies Tie Noeuc3 OF eHI
mo Undersigned s. forced 70 admit, with TcgTot that
an u.1avfnl cSIedton "a succeed ma ttcalthy csCdp
ing from tls United States ard landing thc shores OF
S'bt Il -catad from , gitcd states without having
attracted any notice suspicion on the part OF tie GOV
armament or MS Officers or JrIts md, she undersigned
of tie Spanish Government. Previous 10 us departure
Mr. Roberts lad been cg JsEuy informed mat this Gov
sghiri could obtain through ~ own agents o. ihaJ
neht furnished by tho spanish authorities on their
ENC undersigned has, On several occasions caused pro
cccdies % Dc adopted on information received from Ar