New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-03-07
SEEOR RORERTGS. REclLL.

II ~ reported from washington tndt senior
Don Mauricio Lopez Roberts. for several years
Minister of Spain in the United States, has
been recalled by his Government, and that
Admiral Polo is to be appointed in his place.
1t is further understood that the question of
the acccptability of Admiral Polo is now I'M
der discussion in the Cabinet. ii is said that
he is openly hostile to the United States, and
that his appointment would indicate an un-
friendly spirit in the Spanish Government 1t
is therefore, suTmised that the Secretary of
State will be directed by the President to in
innate this view to the Government at Madrid
We fail to see the necessity for such an
important step rs this. There does not appear
to he any political significance whatever i'll the
change III the Spanish Legation at Washing
ton. Sclor Roberts and Admiral Polo both
belong TO the Liberal Union party which now
controls the Government in Spain. They
are equally faithful to the Spanish cause
in the Antilles, and equally devoted
to the present government and dynasty
in the Peninsula. Several times during
his term of service the position of Mr..
Roberts has been endangered through Cabinet
crises, when change would have had decided
political significance. Had he been recalled by
a Radical Government and replaced by Radical
Envoy il would doubtless have indicated an
intention to attempt "a more liberal trans
atlantic policy. But only personal motives
could now occasion his recall and tie appoint
ment of Admiral Polo a. his successor. These
motives are possibly the following Admiral
Malcampo who is very prominent in the pres
ent Government is personally hostile to Senior
Roberts, and to his brother, Lopez Roberts,
late Civil Governor of Havana. serious
disagreement arose between him and the latter
while MalcampO commanded the West India
squadron, on account of the violence of NAL
campos views, and the moderation of those
of Lopez Roberts. The gallant Admiral was
at one time on the point of capturing
New-York with his flagship and was deeply
afronted and wounded in his Espanolismo,
because Roberts rather laughed at him. When
Malcampo went home and entered the Cabinet,
the first head that fell was that of the Gov
crn0r of Havana, and he has apparently adj
hcred TO his text with such zeal that he has
succeeded in cllectinc the rem4Fal of Don
Mauricio also. This was IN the nature Of things
not difficult 10 accomplish. The tenure of
official life of a Spanish diplomatist j. of few
DAYS and full of trouble; and Scnor Roberts
has had an unusually long term of office here.
He has outlivcd dozen Cabinets in Madiid
While all those who have known Mr.. Roberts
will regret his recall. it will be purely from
personal reasons. He Is a skillful, reasonable
and courteous gentleman, whose tact and good
temper have been frequently OF Use in critical
But We know of nothing capital
against Admiral Polo He is said in general
way TO he unfriondly TO the United States
But he probably thinks not half so badly Of
Ms as the average American citizen thinks of
the whole European continent. He does not
perhaps believe in Democracy and free relig-
ion. but he may change his mind after
contact with the pure and inwgorating moral
of Washington. And however
he may regard Us, he will probably
Ito no violence to the sentiments OF his prn-
cipals, Mr.. Sagasta and Admiral Malcampo, in
our direction. But among the few facts which
are known of him there is one which IL alto
gothcr in his favor. lie is the intimate friend