The New York herald., 1871-12-02
WASHING cT0N.
~-~~~~~~~~~<~>><~-~~N-
NO WAR WITH SPAIN.
The Fleet Ordered to Cuba Merely for
Prudential Considerations.
~~~~>~~~~~><~~-~-~~~No.~
The Labors of the Southern Claims
Commission.
Secretary Hamilton Fish Will Accept the
English Mission After the Closing Of
the Geneva Convention.
Speaker Blaine and the Congress
siOnal Committees.
WASHINGTON, Dec. l, 1871.
Our Relations with SDnju.

Our Relations with Spain.
10 can now he asserted on the highest authority
that there Is no danger whatever Of any immediate
conflict with Spain. The protestatons or friendship
between that country and our own are as strong as
ever, and the Presidents Message. which is to be
submitted to Congress on Monday, will prove not
only that we are at peace with all the world, and
especially with Spain, but the diplomatic cor
respondence which accompanies the Message VIII
show that we have not mad any differences what
ever. Some time ago 1t was reported that Minister
SIckles had a correspondence with the Spanish gov
ernment on the subject OF alleged promises made to
this government more than year ago. to the effect
that II the United States would not recognize the
Cuban insurgents spain would accord TO the Cubans
the ss6is privileges and mmunities that were
granted e tns nnss!tants q s!nerr spanlsa
provinces The truth Is that Mr.. sckles
has not had any communications with
the State Department here on any subject during
the three months except 10 ask for the leave OF
absence which has been granded, and he has had
no correspondence with the government at Madrid
during the same period. This simple fact In itself
disposes Of most Of the warlike rumors, Dut
aside from this there Is no doubt that
the Spanish government desires to cultivate
the most friendly relations with this country. A
year ago some little feeling was occasoned by the
ldCt tHaI OUT KONeruHeHJ luSlSIeu Oh nearing OuIy
American claims before the Mixed Commission,
which was then being agreed upon, ana which is to
meet here In January. But 1t is pointed to at the
Spanish Embassy, as the best evidence OF spanish
frendlness to the United States that this point was
conceded, so tnat every American claim might be
fully heard ana fairly determined.
There are now under consideration and In a fair
way for successful negotiation not fewer than three
treaties between the two countries. The first OF
these is for a commercial treaty the second for a
postal convention and the tnlrd for treaty
of extraditlon. AS our Spanish trade is
almost entirely with the Island OF Cuba
q country to which we OF necessity pay trl-
butte for sugar, and our postal and extradltion
agreements would mostly affect the same country,
1t IS not likely we are going to war except as an
extreme necessity. II Spain anticipated danger
from US the Spanish dread Of the mail service as q
means Of romenting insurrection would compel at
once o suspension of all negotiations, while
xt1adition treaties never entered into
by nations with impending and serious
causes OF quarrel. At the same time.
and in spite OF the friendliness OF the two
Powers, 1t cannot be denied that many side Issues
arise from time to time which require diplomatic
adjustment. The cases OF the vrginIus, the Hornet
and the Florida among these. All these vessels
are admitted to have been guilty OF conduct which,
to say the least OF t is questionable, and they may
be amenable to our own navigation laws for the
violation Of American neutrality. The Hornet had
shown no disposition to leave Port au Prince.
though the Swatara was for months ready to protect
her whenever she desired to quit the Haytien port
An attack by the Spaniards upon any OF these
vessels on the hign seas would be re
garded by our government as q Just cause
for war, yet it IS nos likely any such
capture will be attempted even by the most
short time some or our own war vessels will escort
the blockaded ships into American ports to await
the action OF the Courts. other questions with
Spain are capable OF as easy solution. In many
instances Cubans have become American citizens
by naturalization only to engage in unlawful
enterprise against Spain, and then claim the
protection Of our ag. This fact Is illustrated
often at the American Consulate at Havana and
even Americans, whose birth gives them the right
to demand protection, are generally found to have
neglected all their duties clzens OF the republic.
Mr.. Nenninger never paid an income tax, ana all
his interests for years have been in Cuba.
In his case the facts, as they are repre-
sented by the Spanish authorities have at
last been revealed. short time since papers were
discovered duplicating some forty persons, Ameri-
cans and Cubans, with the insurrection. The Mem
ninger family, not on the very best testimony, was
found to be concerned in the plot. The Cubans were
sent to the Isle of Pines, while the Americans
ordered 10 quit the country, and 1t Is not only
denied that the action OF the Spaniards was ex-
tremely arbitrary but 1t is delicate matter for
government 10 insist upon Americans being al
loweo to live In country against the authorities OF
which they are even alleged to have been plotting.
Secretary Robesons order sending O number OF ves-
sells from the North Atlantic Squadron into Havana
has occasioned some alarm at the Spanish En-.
Z rts
Senior Roberts to the state Department referred to
In Yesterdays HERALD, and resulted In some
explanations with regard to the brutal
execution OF the boys accused with desc
Grating the grave OF the noted demagoge,
Gonzalo Castanon. The act was one for which the
Spanish government does not deserve TO be held re-
sponsble; 1t was committed during the absence OF
Captain General valmaseda from the capital, ana
through the overawng requirements OF the excited
and ploodthirsty volunteers. AS these things in
clude all that is good and all that is bad In rea-
ions with SpaIn there Is feeling OF absolute secu
r,ty in oclal circles, and nobody anticipates any
further trouble. Secretary Fish Will not retire from
the Cabinet Till after the Geneva Conference has
finished its abOrs. when he Will be ready TO accept
the English mission This is so well understood that
it Is rutless work invent stories to the contrary
speaker Blaine and His Relations with the
House Committees.
Speaker Blaine has arrived In this city and Is
already settled at his residence on Fifteenth street,
adjoining that OF Mr.. Ferdando Wood. He Is dis
posed TO bc as reserved the all.important ques-
tion OF the House committees as 1t has been an
nounced he would be; but reticencc Is not among
the possible things with everybody, and 1t can
to stated with certainty that MIR. Dawes
OF Massachusetts, will accept the chief
place on the leading committee e-that OF ways
and Means--when named for IL by the speaker, on
Monday or Tuesday next. Tnls determination Will
he an acceptable relief to the Speaker, TO Mr..
Dawes himself and TO the twenty or more aspirants
for the place. The reluctance OF the member from
Pltsncd to accept the prorered honor has not been
altogether reigned. the chairmanship OF the Com
mittee on Appropriations Is his own by recog-
nized right, and Its duties, though arduous
are not difficult III otner respects TO
cut down the annual estimates on the