The New York herald., 1871-12-14


mission, much less confession. that Great Britain
had violated the law OF nations or done
any wrongful act In allowing the Ala
Dama and the other pirates TO escape.
A milk and water regret, weaker in every
way than "Boutwel's brandy" was all that could
be obtained. The regret in no way interferes with
the English case before the arbltrators while the
British counsel meet the American argument with
the reply that "our complaints against Great
Britain are identical with our practice against
Spain.n Anticipating this answer to the specifca-
tions and deductions Of the American counsel.
Francis Clare Ford, long connected with the British
Legation here, spent months In preparing detailed
account or all our expeditions against Cuba, to-
gether with o view Of the American practice In
similar emergencies from the establishment or the
republic down to the present hour. He begun mis-
work long before the treaty was signed and had It
well on toward completion when the treaty was
ratified. Before the arbitrators at Geneva the ques
ton will be "Did England In her municipal capa-
city do everything in her power to prevent
the fitting out and departure OF the pratical ships
OF war;" To answer the question by citing volumes
OF similar instances In the practice OF the United
States win not be such an answer as will satisfy
the enlightened conscience OF the civilized worlo,
but what the effect will be upon the minds OF Lord
Chief Justice Cockburn and his Brazilian and
Italian associates is another matter. The Ameri-
counsel Will reply by citing the constant Eng
lsh practice as set OF by our own. II 1t Is alleged
that we fitted out privateers against Spain when
she was at war with her South American posses
sions, we will show that by the Treaty or 1910 we
snouldered the entire responsibility and paid for
our acts. II 1t Is argued that we permitted
the Cuban Junta In New Y ork to levy war against
Spain from our Shores we Will reply
that England allowed society OF Poles
in London to project expeditions against
Russia, and not only by the voice OF her
most eminent statesmen defended The acts OF the
Polish refugees Parliament but when the govern
ment OF the Gear complained, officially informed
the Russian Bear that 1t was nobody's business.
We viii 60 further, and show that In the great plot
to assassnate Napoleon III. the scheme was devised
In London, and even the hand grenades which
were to take the Emperor's life were carried from
England into France. All this however, is regarded
here very little to the purpose, each sde like dis
putants on points OF theological doctrine finding
plenty Of texts to support ex,raneous propositions
founded solely on the principle OF crying, you're
another.'
But the position and attitude OF Spain are more
difiicult to understand. 1t is said here that the
Spanish government has taken the deepest interest
IN furthering the English view Of the case and in
supporting the English arguments before the Con-
ference at Geneva. II the Conference decides In our
favor on the main question, ruling that England
did not use sufficient vigilance IN preventing the
violating OF her own laws to our detrment it Is ad-
mitted that we shall be compelled to settle with
Spain IN the case OF the Hornet and other vessels
which did injury to Cuba At the same time IL is
evident that Spain Is alarmed II anticipating the
decision OF the Conference. She Is arming both on
land and sea. There is no longer an insurrection
tn fy,rho vutv hor 70 Gyor Lott
full Isle single general, much less 10000 soldiers,
to deprive the Havana volunteers Of the martial
glory Of defending the Cabanas and the Moro Gas
tle single word in the rresidents Message
.'intervention"-puts all Madrid In commotion, and
induces the young King to call his old counsellors
together. An attache Is at once despatched to
the Spanish Minister at Washington and
there are dark hints here that tho fate OF
Catacazy is yet In store for Roberts. Secretary
RoDcson gets upon his sea legs aud goes stalking
around among the sailors OF Washington, talking
OF his three shipso.war, with the bad boilers In the
harb0r OF Havana and the glories IN store for the
navy blue. He wants mOrc-ships ana more money,
and Is unceasing In his opportunities OF Senators
for the bones and sinews OF war. There whis-
perings that we are TO have new policy In regard
to Cuba, and the good old Secretary OF State, VINO
don't want to stay In the Cabinet and won't be
kicked out becomes at once, not only an object Of
Indifference but positive annoyance. Mr.. Fish is
not only the reputed friend Of SpaIn but Sidney
Webster, his son-inlaw, has long been the legal
counsellor Of Spanish interests. Webster is now here
seeking to discover the meaning OF the
movement here In favor OF Judge Pierrepont
and the Cuban intrigue which is at the bottom OF It,
This is the movement In which Babcock Is so much
Interested and accounts for the anxiety to yet Fish
out OF It, but does not explain the sudden war policy
Of the administration. When the Spanish attach6
arrives here with his dispatches to the Spanish
Minister the State Department viii not be in the
hands Of Secretary breathing the spirit OF the
policy, unless Fish can be got out OF II. This Is the
reason why the satellites OF the administration are
cursing Senator Wilson for his advlsed assistance
In inducing Fish to ''sttcK," and the poor old
will yet find out that in trying to please everybody
nobody is pleased. The character Of the dispatches
which Spain has sent to the United States Is still
matter OF speculation. but there can be little doubt
that they demand an explanation Of President
Grants meaning in that part OF the Message
which refers to Ouba, and call the attention OF
our government to the alleged violations, in
the protection afforded to the Hornet and Florida,
OF the spirit Of neutrality contained In the rules
adopted under the Treaty Of Washington. II this
hypothesis should prove to true and 1t Is gener-
ally credited among the few persons who can pre-
tend to Judge Of the complications with Spain, 1t
will 60 far to explain the peculiar attitude OF that
Power with regard to the Conference at Geneva,
ana the position about be assumed by the British
government respecting those very vessels. The
Spanish Minister Is evidently alarmed. not so much
perhaps, at the perplexity OF the complications as
the suddenly belgerent tone Of the Presidents
Message ana the idle chatter Of the Secretary OF the
Navy. Should war ensue it will be owing to an un-
dplomatio word In the Presidents counsel to Con-
press and the talk OF an ofncial chatterer among
unofficial busybodes and gosslps
The danger to the administration In political
sense. Independently Of all the whisperings about
impeachment and the antagonsms of party differ
ences will oe developed in committee OF the whole
in the House tomorrow, on the promised motion OF
General Banks. There is disposition to hurry up the
appropriation Of $25oO0O for defrayng the expenses
of the Geneva Conference, but while nearly every
body wil probably, vote for the resolution, the