The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-21

Interview with the New Spanish
Minister at Washington.
HE SAYS "LET US HAVE PEACE"
Admiral POlO's Favorable Opinion
OF the United States.
ClEMENCY TOWARD THE CUsANs.

Admiral Polo lie Bcrnabe. whose appointment
as Spanish Minister to Washington has formed the
theme OF much newspaper comment-all more or
less erroneous-arrived In this city yesterday
evening bv the steamer MerIlmack from South
America. So many cable dispatches have passed re-
garding this gentleman by turns cOnt.adicting and
reahlrming his nomination, that when IL was posi-
lively and formally announced that he would take
the place OF the retiring Minister, Don MauriclO
Lopez Roberts, there were still people sceptical
enough to dsbelIeve IL. This doubt has now been
dispeed by the actual arrival OF the gallant Ad-
miral.
The HERALD desiring to set right The unfav0rablo
anu contradictory statements regarding the
opinions and future policy OF the new Spanish Min.
lister, despatched emoer Of its stan to elicit from
his own lips the truth as to these reports The
writer called al the Clarendon Hotel. where Admit
raj Polo Is now stay ing and had himself announced,
not without some missivngs as to meeting with q
cold, discouragng reception. From what he had
heard he expected to be received Byron describes
Satan to nave Treated Archangel Michael on all
occaslons-"iike naughty eastman looking down
upon mushroom CIVILIAN" But in this he was
agreeably disappointed. The Admiral Is In the
Vgor OF lie, aud has an open, pleasing cOuntenance
and an engaging manner He combines the frank.
ness OF Il sailor with the polish 0f heightened gen.
teman.
Admiral Polo, as he informed the writer, Is now
1fty years OF age ana was born IN Valencia Spain.
lie has seen thirtyour years. active SERVICE rising
step by step to his present grade IN the Spanish
navy. Az the age OF eighteen he fought IN the
Cariist war; on the side OF the Bourbons. When
the revolution which de,hroned Queen Isar
bella broke out he was SICK In Germany
anu on his return obtained from the provisional
government the command OF the Spanish fleet In
the Mediterranean. When King Amadeus arrived
| IN Spain he was member OF the Board Of ADJ
| mlralty, ana was afterwards sent TO command the
South American Meet, which position he had once
! before iilled with The rank OF post captain
! Admiral POLO is accompanied by his deputy who
Is also his brothern-law and his son, a bright boy
VI about fifteen, who were present wnen The follow.
ing conversation took place. the Admiral speaks
English quite nuenty. The wrlter began In mis-
wiso:-
~ have taken The liberty TO Call on You, Admiral,
to obtain some precise information regarding your
sell ana your mission. and possible to correct the
uniavorabie reports which have been circulated.
al have been Told that am represented as being
prejudiced ana hostile towards the American ma
ton. can assure you 1t Is great mistake. l
M ana NAVE aVe never FrGs edeS nor eVer
wanted to NEEDLE with politics. In proof OF this
may tell you that decued the mission Of London,
which was offered ny the provisional government
III 1868. prefer, however, the United States 10
any oEner foreign country, and have always felt
sympathy VITA she American people. met with a
| highly nattering reception when | visited New
| YORK In 1858. then commanded the Carmen.
| remember spent many pleasant hours with your
naval officers and some DISTINGUISHED people IN tubs
| city. was also rendered the freedom OF the city
! OF New York. | had the testimonial framed and
! carry 1t always with me-"
Then there ~ 10 truth whatever In the report
that you ar prcud,ccu against or hostile toward
Tie American hatlonp
''N0ne whatever, Although mine is war profess
sion, yet consider war the thing by ali means
TO be avoided. Like your President, have seen
enough OF war; ana am man OF peace. do not
an Isltn ar Ina nam th4 tsNn
EuVefnncnts; but | have no DOUBT tuat all the diff.
Ierenccs can be settled IN friendly way. 1t Is my
opinion tllat war Is the very last extremity re.
scrt TO- lwoud first exhaust all possible means OF
/ ching, let some time eapse to restore calmnes3,
ana then renew NEGOTIATIONS"
81 suppose, Admiral, IL Is also unruc-what has
! been reported--tlat you have written u pamphlet
I speaking In very uniavorabie terms Of the people
! ald navy or the Uned Siatesf'
NO. SIR; never wrote pamphlet at all. do
| moi understand now suCu u ruinOr could have
been started am Tor strictly Keeping the law and
International obligatOns not giving way to pas
I sions and prcindices."
"What Is your opinion Admiral, regarding CUBA 70
"Well, believe that the insurrectOn should ut
first completely suppressed. and then the people
educated up TO Tree insltutlOnS"
''Were you not sorry, Sir, when you heard OF the
executions OF the students ~
al was sh0ckcu was shocked"
"DOes your appointments, Admiral. signify q
change OF policy with regard to the Uniied Statesr
"No, sir. 1t does not. There can be but one
pollcy--a policy OF peace"
allow long DO you intend to remain In this city ~
"Unly few days. Sen0r Roberts has not yet
presented his letters OF recall but every ming Will
be arranged IN lew days. My credentials have
already arrived. and all hope Is that snail be as
fortunate In keeping up friendly relations with your
government as Senior Roberts has been.