New-York tribune., 1872-01-16
WASHINGTON.
DIVERSE OPINIONS on TIE SPANISH QUESTION
THE MONITOR MAHOPAC PUT IN COMMISSION
TIE CASE OF KRAMER-PROPOSED MoDI-
FlCAIIONS IN TIE TARIFF LAWS.
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~ TELEGRAPn TO THk TRIBUNB.I


Two opposite opinions are expressed by members OF
Congress, who take pains to keep themselves informed
relations with Spain about the recent search OF
the steamship Florida by spanish men-of-war. One is
that the search was outrage TO nag OF sufficient
gravity to warrant Us In going TO in case Spain
should refuse 10 make proper reparaton and the other
is that, under the Treaty OF 1885, Spain has when at
war, right TO board any vessel flying the American flag
and examine her papers TO learn her real character
The Treaty provides in the 18th article that in either
Government shOud he engaged in war,tthe ships and
vessels belonging 10 the subjects people OF the other
must be provided with letters passports. and
! also certificates containing particulars OF cargo,
so It may be known whether any forbidden or
cOntraband goods be on board the same II the papers
OF any vessel not regular, the Treaty permits her
capture and provides that she shall be taken into port
aud adudged prize in proof OF her character IL
not made satisfactory TO the Prize Court The eighteenth
article says II the ships OF the said subjects people be-
longing 10 either Government shall be with sailing
along the coast tho high seas by any shpof
or priyatecr OF the other Government such ship pri-
vateer for the avoiding Of disorder shall remain out OF
cannon shot, ana may send their boats aboard the
| merchant ship which they shall so meet with.
and may enter her TO the number OF two
or three only, to whom the master Of
said shin shall exhibit his passpo rs concerning the prop
erty OF the ship. If Spain Is at with Cuba, within
the meaning OF the term employed In international
law her right to board American vessels would be plain
treaty Jns is alnfmed some, ana denied by
Others who claim that unless recognize the belger
ency of the Cabans there is far
cerned and right Of search They say further that
when active did exist, few years ago between
Spain aud Peru Spain ventured TO exercise the
right of search upon American vessels and that she has
no shadow OF claim to do 80 now.
The monitor MahOpac, now lying at the Navy-Yard in
This city put In commission to-day She Is ordered
to Norfolk TO be put in complete order, and
hurricane deck adjusted she will be sent 10 Key West
In readiness for active service.
The Berlin letter, printed in THE TRIBUNE to-day.
touching the relations between this country and Russia,
has caused a great deal OF talk here tonight but
opinions OF public interest havo been expressed except
that it has been remarked that II Mr.. Kramer behaved
as letter reports that he did lie deserves sharp
reprmand, and will doubtless receive II he is not
called.
The Committee ON Ways and Means have agreed to
change their rules to the secrecy OF their meetings
fr as admit reporter OF the Associated Press ali
occasions when individuals delegations appear before
the Committee to present arguments relative TO the Tax
or Tariff laws and also TO allow members of the Com
mltee inform correspondents and Others to such
arguments. The Committee will still adhere to the prac-
tcc OF secrecy in regard to their deliberations and de
cisOus.
The Senate Committee on Finance will not report to
the Senate tomorrow in the form OF amendments 10 The
House hill repealil the duty salt. the notifications
TO the Tariff laws TO which they have agreed, As the
representatives OF the coal SALT 0n1 amber interests are
expected to appear before the Committee time be-
fore the 23d ns the report may he deferred I'll that
date The amendments, IA now agreed TO. instead OF
aboshng the duty salt, coal, and lumber reduces
that on the brstnalned article from Is cents ON a
hundred cents that coal from 81 rs
10 per ton and that lumber. 99 per cent The
lions in the duties several articles which are not pro
duced n this country but are largely consumed such as
which the duty Is retained except wines brandy cigars
articles, including all those which DO not enter
from which little revenue is derived as well many
others which, though produced here stand least 10 need
Of protection. The Committee has been induced to PRO
pose greater reduction of the duty on lumber than
at first anticipated account of the great desruc
ton OF forest and lumber machinery in Michigan and
Wisconsin, making impossible for the people OF those
States 10 supply the demand and az the hear; ,sme time
Effort, are now making 10 getHbefore the House, 10
morrow. the bill making application to carry out the
provisions OF the Washington Treaty For this purpose
the Committee Foreign Affairs win hold special
sion to-mOrrow morning II is considered doubtful that
the attempt will be sful, this same bin has
bodied In IT. provision clr IN reference TO the ush-
cries subject upon which there IL glCdt diversity Of
opinion in Committee
The Secretary Of War transmitted 10 the House ~ Rep
resentatves. to-day, by request of the Committee on
Military Affairs estimate of the probable cost in
voved IN the passage of the House bill granting bounty
thcates of Indebtedness The estimate puts the amount az
SOL 60O and If in addition thereto, the same benefits
be extended the heirs Of 327lsi officers and soldiers
who died In the service the amount will be increased TO
SJ6 90400 This is exclusive Of seameD, marines, wagon
masters, and tealnsters.
Representative HlBoardman Smiths bin. introduced
today To provide for the construction Of National
railroad between the cities Of the NewYork and Chi
cago authorizes the construction within eight years, OF
continuous airline railroad Of not less than three
steel tracks and telegraph line from New York or some
point on the Hudson River to the southern point OF
Lake Michigan, the length OF the road 10 he less tah
$50 miles. One section oi the pl gives TO tne uh
ftII ittiGI pfi NJ it Il ON
the Company to run at least train daily between
Ncw.YOrk and Chicago time not exceeding Is hours
the passenger rates Tor trsclass passengers are 20 De
NOT more than three cents per mile WIN M a m % u
ing Freight rates to be limited to TWO cents
per un mile for products OF the soil or mines mines
cents per tuD per mile for other freiglits
The California representatives in Congress speak OF
Mr. Hastngs's charges against Justice Field as I'M
worthy of serious constipation and think mat the
Judiciary Committee ought not to dignity them by
giving the petition formal hearing.
TN, Committee on Public Lands agreed, this morning,
to extend the time for completing the Portage Lake
Canal III the Upper Peninsula Of Michigan one year
from April next They also discussed the general ques-
tiom of land grants the prpOnderance Of opinion being
adverse tO making any future grants 10 railroads The
Committee has flooded with bills IL give HwaV lana
In s1,c an extent that If they (" dispose ot two or
tnra each meeting they could not get through the
list III "A year
The House Appropriation Committee heard Secretary
Boutwell,, Commissioner Douglass, and Ch"f CleIk
sa\ile today In eNpanaou Of the estimates relating
10 the Treasury Department The bill making appropri
atioIs for the Executive Judicial. and Legislative
branches OF the Government will he reported Tomorrow
The day alter IDe committee VIII thereafter noIu
daily sessions
Representative James Brook, wh" ha- inst returned
from his ioarney round the world was Ia his ed Tor the
FIRST time to-day, aud received the congratulations oi NJ
colleagues on hia improved health
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