The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-06
Oar Relations with spain-How Are We
Drifting into Wars

|
Our relations with Spain are peculiarly
delicate, and war may be the work of any
hour. While this is true. we may steer clear
of any struggle with that Power and adjust all
our difficulties without the Intervention Of
arms. Those who see In the warlike rumors
which are rife on every hand only a stock
jobbing operation intended to influence prices
in Wall street little understand the relations
Of the two countries and the desires and in
terests which control their rulers Spain is
jealous of the United States. The Presidents
alluson in his Message to the possible neces-
slty Of Intervention agitated the Spaniards in
every part of the Castilian dominions, and re-
acted back upon us to make us more cautious in
our war policy, evenif 1t did not make us less
determined. Oar navy is in wolul condition
and hardly able to cope with Power so well
armed in this respect as Spain. But Yankee
pluck and courage go great way, especially
when they are supported by interest and the
traditional faith of the American people in the
destiny of their republic. If struggle ensues
1t will not be long one but it will be fraught
with the most important consequences and
will largely extend our commercial and mari
time interests. Rsacting back upon our indus
tries, and especially upon productiveness and
labor in the South, the destruction of slavery
| in Cuba and Porto Rico will have wonder
fully revivifying influence, and new era will
begin for the United States as well as the West
Indies.
Spain is not satisfied with the course of our
government, nor with the declared sympathes
of General Grant in reference to Cuban affairs
while, on the other hand, the American people
are anything but satisfied with what they con-
slider the temporizing and humiliating peace
policy Of Mr.. Fish in his dealings with the
insolent demands and pretensions of Spain.
The Spanish cruisers In the Gulf Of Mexico
and the Caribbean Sea assume the
right to search United States trading yes
sells. England claimed and began to exercise
this right in 1915 but her presumption, her
intolerable insolence, resulted in our war with
her of 1912, and that war resulted in the ex-
emption Of our trading ships from England's
right of search. The war, in Short estab-
lished for us the principle of equal rights
upon the high seas. Now, poor and weak, but
proud and insolent Spain undertakes to play
the bully with us. A Spanish vessel of war
blockades for considerable time an American
trading vessel In neutral port (neutral as be-
tween Spain and the Cuban insurgents), fol-
lows her when she leaves, brings her to upon
the high seas with warning round shot, and
then, after searching her, graciously permits
her to pass on, but only to be bockaded again
at the next friendly port at which she touches.
This is the case, the case of the Florida,
which, as it appears, is almost too much even
for the pacific Mr.. Fish, the case which the
Jersey Blue Secretary Robson Of the Navy
| thinks casus 6elH.
The energetic action Of the Secretary of the
Navy, as it is reported this morning, and his
determined refusal to change the officers or
dered to command the iron clads fitted out for
Havana, is a sure indication OF the spirit with
which he is acting He is ready for war, so
far as warlike spirit can make him ready,
and the American navy is expected to do its
duty. Careful as he has been of expense, and
economical as he has shown himself, he is I'M
willing at this moment to save money
at the cost of American supremacy. In this he
will be upheld by the country, and unless
Mr. Fish can put himself in sympathy with
the movement he will be compelled to resign.
The pressure already has been strong upon
| him, and his conservative tendencies must
give way. Even he cannot fail to see that the
presence of so many iron-clads in the harbor
| of Havana Is the forerunner Of the struggle
| which is the desire Of the American people
and will prove to be the chief glory Of Presi-
dent Grants administration.
A war with Spain at this time would be a
into it, just as France and Prussia drifted into
war. Spain is seeking it, and the administra-
ton at Washington contemplates 1t as one of
the events of the near future. The HERALD
was the first paper in the country to indicate
its extreme probability. and to welcome IL as a
necessary measure for American supremacy in
America. Since then preparation has gone
on apace; orr navy has been put in better
condition, so far as that was possible our
feet in Cuba has been and is being strength
ened. We have not oourted, neither
have we sought to avert war.
When it comes it will come as a great
necessity both for US and for humanity. The
rights of American citizens are constantly out
ragged by the spaniards. Cuba is menace and
an insult to u.s. Sooner or later we must free
ourselves from the complications which spring
almost daily from our relations with that
island. The acquisition of the Spanish Amer
lean countries is fast becoming desirable, and
we are nearly ready to take Cuba, not as
gift, but by force and from necessity. Con-
slant insult from the second hand Spanish