New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-01-12
THE SPANISH QUESTION.


Cows resolutions rather than in any matters
now ut issue between the two Governments.
The excitement Of the last few days has been
entirely unfounded and Fictitious. 1t was
raised without cause, and allayed with
ont reason. There was no justification for
the momentary alarm, and none for the
subsequent feeling of confidence There
was no immediate prospect of war
last week and no certainty of peace to-
day. Our relations with Spain are now, as
they were then, extremely delicate, and will
remain so as long as a state of war continues
in Cuba. We have shown the promise of long
life exhibited by the disturbances in that
Island. AS things look at present, the lnsur-
rection is too strong for the Spaniards and
the Spaniards are too strong for the lnsurrec-
ton. The island is falling into state of
chronic anarchy. While this continues the
peace of the continent is endangered
There is no prospect of hostilities resulting
Immediately from any question of detail
which now occupies our State Department and
the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
There are three vessels which have been sup
posed to be freighted with the most fatal
possibilities. But the Virginius will probably
not sail again for long time, if ever She
is entirely unseaworthy, and will certainly not
be attacked where she lies. The Hornet is
shortly to sail for this port under the escort
of an American vessel of war. The Spanish
authorities give up their surveillance upon her
to allow her to sail to the United States, and
to be subjected to a Judicial decision as TO her
alleged violation of our neutrality laws. The
case of the Florida is not yet clearly stated or
understood. In advance of her arrival, and
before any representation had been made by
her owner or commander, the Department of
State caused the authorities of Havana to BIO
Intercepted as to the asserted facts OF her
seizure and search. They promptly answered
that nothing OF the kind had taken
place. But subsequent dispatch from the
Captaincy- General admits the fact of the vista
ton, but declares that it was without orders
1t is not difficult to surmise that secret orders
NAV have been given for the seizure and
search, trusting that the result would justify
the action, and that open orders in another
sense may have been transmitted for the pro-
lection of the Havana authorities in an event
like the present There is nothing in the ma
ture of the case to prevent perfectly ami
cable and satisfactory settlement of this ques-
The temporary furry over this matter was
therefore not justified, but we cannot keep too
plainly in mind the fact that as long as the
instruction lasts in Cuba we are constantly
exposed to war with Spain. The insurrec-
ton is permanent-it will only end by the
emancipation of the Island. We must there
fore consider this inevitable fact in all our
calculations. Spain no longer controls the
Island except by the ghost of her for
mer sovereignty. The Madrid Government
sends daily dispatches by cable which
are obeyed if convenient, and torn up if OBJ
iectonable to the Casino and the Volunteers.
To use a graphic smile of Gen. Sickles, the
island is fastened to Spain by telegraph
wire snap the wire and the dependency of Cuba
would soon end. But while even this shadow of
authority continues, The Cuban question is at
once the weapon and the dread of every minis
try in Spain. 1t seems absolutely necessary
for every Cabinet to signalize its accession to
power by furious denunciatiOn of the Cubans,
and q solemn affirmation Of its purpose never
to treat with traitors in arms. Prim could
say no less even while he was trying to
arrange a scheme for the transfer of the Antilles
Rvero, who wishes with all his heart that Cuba
could be free and independent, does not dare
to say so in public and asks certificates from
Gen. Sickles to prove that he never dreamed
of such thing. MartOs and Moret, among
the ablest of the Democratic leaders, two OF
the original aboitionists of Spain. find them
selves forced by this same diseased spirit OF Es-
paiiolism into a sort of companionship with the
slave-trading party, in denying the possioiii.y
of any compromise with the armed patriots
Al IL
extreme Left do not dare to bring upon their
party the Obloquy and discredit which would
| follow the utterance of any sentiments In
| favor of Just and sensible Cuban policy.
In this state of things it is greatly to be re-
cretted that man of the position and temper
| of Don Praxedes MateO Sagasta should be
President of the Council. He holds his place
| nv n Tenure so uncertain that he will nat
| uraly use every possible expedient to prevent
| ony hostile movement against him in the
Cortes. His personal following numbered
less than fifty when he overthrow the
Zorrilla Ministry by combination with
| the reactionists of all sorts. 1t has since
been slightly reinforced by the accession OF
| that floating detachment of camp-fOllOwers
| who always coalesce with the dispensers OF
thunder. His chief support is therefore to be
sought for in the ranks of the Liberal Union,
and to gain this he must pursue what is called
! a distinctively Spanish policy in the Antilles
He will naturally be influenced more by the coun-
sells of the Pro- Slavery deputies whose votes he
re1uires than by those OF his enlightened ana
liberal associates of former years. lie IL toC
ignorant to know or care much about internn'
tional law. He is full of that old-faslionec
o. .-.Ae.a.an mich INN cnea that thu