New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-05-02

shin and withdraws II. i nc schche appears W
he the cunning work of one of those indus
trious gentlemen. living by their wits, who are
40 well known in Washington.
There will be q general feeling Of relief in
the country at the final passage of the PHI 10
make tea and coffee free after July 1. The
House. yesterday agreed very promptly to the
Senate amendments, and so this measure, which
has been hanging incomplete over the heads
of importers and dealers for months, is at last
definitely settled. The impression that this is
about all the tariff legislation possible at this
session appears to be strengthened.
From the Dominion of Canada we derive
information touching the official correspond
ence relative to the capture of the schooner
Horton by Gloucester fishermen. The Domin-
ion Government are represented as being very
moderate in their management of affairs, not
recommending any demand for reclamation,
but leaving the whole case in the hands of
the Imperial Government. The response from
the British Colonial Office il equally dignifed,
and suggests, that as the United States Gov
eminent have virtually disowned the transac-
ton by refusing to grant new shipping papers
Il,
1t will be noticed tlat the remarks of the
Canadian Finance Minister on the Fishery
question are also cOnciiatOry.
Mr. Boutwell, reports the National Debt re-
duced by $12,53S,OSS within the month of
April, which we heartily rejoice at. The total
reduction since March 1, 1869, is 927,710,S19,
leaving the present aggregate S2,107743,44O.
If the People all felt as we do, this
rate of reduction would be maintained
till the last dollar was paid. Mr.. Bout
well reports $685. 73S in coin and S14375,149
in currency in the Treasury, while all his
outstanding Coin Certificates and Called
Bonds amount to a little over S460OO,OOO. If
he could be persuaded to call S1OO,0OO,OO0 more
Of Bonds and thus stop S6,00O,O00 of interest
per annum, the people would forget his past
waywardness and bless his present wisdom.
He points with pride to the fact that the an
nual inter st on the Debt is now S21, 4i2,O99
less than it was when he became Secretary
Good for you, MIR. Secretary; but why not re-
duce it $6,00O,000 more by just calling
500 100000 of Skies now subject to redemp-
tiOnq
The State Department, which appears at last
to be thoroughly alarmed by the universal
denunciatOn of its course in the Alabama
business, has made an elaborate statement OF
its attitude which darkens counsel with a
cloud of words. 1t proves labOriOusly what
needed no prOving-that we have always in
sisted upon claims for indirect or national
damages, and that these were included In the
Case because the right so to include them
flowed directly from the Treaty and protocol.
The manifesto says also with especial energy
that these claims are not to be withdrawn, but
admits that they are to remain in the
Case with the express understanding that
they are not serious. We are treated to mys-
terious intimations that we are to establish
certain great principles by this undignifed
retreat, but what they are left for the pres
ent to conjecture. 1t is only too evident from
the difference of tone between the conde-
scending exultatOn of the British Government
and the nervous defiance of ours, that we are
not to agree any better as to the bearings OF
this new compromise than we did in the old.
Thus far, every stage of the negotiations has
been anything but cred table to either Cabinet.
There was momentary excitement in Wash
ington, yesterday, over the report that Gen.
was the bearer of a warlike ultimatum to the
Spanish Government. There is no truth in
the rumor The fact of the changed attitude
of our Government toward Spain was an
nOunced in THE TRIBUNE on the 8th of last
month. We then said: thereafter our inter-
"course with Spain is to lose that character
" of friendly counsel and intervention which has
"proved so long frutless." There has been no
new developments since that time. Gen.
Sickles will, as we stated some days ago,
finish some pending business in Madrid, and
then present his letters of recall. No successor
will be Immediately appointed the Legation
remaining for the present in the hands of a
Charge d'Affaires. This will be a proper
response to the recent impcrtinences of Mr..
Sagasta, but will not amount to a
rupture between the two nations. The United
States simply abandons any attempt at inter
vention in Spanish Colonial matters being
weary of continual receptions and of endless
PROMISES which are never fulfilled. OF course
this will not prevent us from prosecuting
vigorously any claims for redress of outrages
against our citizens. The first case attended
to will doubtless be that of DR.. Houard, and
there is no reason to apprchcnd 1t will not
be satisfactorily dealt with.
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