The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-18

tan OF Turkey, the Mikado Of Japan, the EN-
peror of China and the Shah Of Persia are
casting about among the Western nations,
and under the empire of the Cross, for
broader, higher and more active civilization
than the Orientals now possess, undoubtedly
old Asia is awakening from her slumbers and
the day of her redemption is at hand.
Arrival OF Mr.. O'Kelly In Spain.
We are gratifed to submit to our readers
this morning despatch from Mr.. Secretary
Fish, announcing that he is informed, through
a telegram from our Minister at Madrid, that
our commissioner, Mr.. james J. OKelly,
shipped from Cuba, had safely arrived at San
tona, in the province of Santander, Spain and
that this is preliminary to his discharge. He
was delivered to the authorities by the COM
mander of the steamship Antonio Lopez and
his personal effects, for the present, were
taken in charge by the United States Consul.
We hope next to hear that his sufferings as a
prisoner are ended and that he is again free
man.
That the chiefs of the republican govern
ment at Madrid will promptly order the
prisoners release we cannot doubt, in view of
Mr.. O'Kelly's inoffensive position in Cuba as
a correspondent Of this journal, and in view
of the friendly relations and inclinatons of
our government towards the Republic in
Spain. We suppose that his release, as in the
case of DR.. Houard and others, will end the
matter between the two governments con-
cerned, though justice to the individual I'M
justly deprived Of his liberty and held as
criminal in prison would seem to require
something more than his liberation from
the offending party. But as it is usually
understood in such cases that the dis
charge Of o prisoner is equivalent to
an official proclamation that he has been guilty
of no crime, Mr. O'Kelly will at least SO far be
vindicated in reference to his adventures in
Cuba and as judgment upon the conduct of
the over-zealous Spanish authorities of the
island They will understand from his dis
charge that it is not the desire or the interest
officials in Cuba shall act upon the theory that
the people and government and press of the
United States have entered into conspiracy
with the republicans of Cuba against the Re-
public Of Spain, but that we rely upon Cubans
and upon the Republic and the republican
sentiment Of Spain for satisfactory settle
ment of the Cuban question.
Secretary Robson and tho Polaris
Mystery.
Mr.. Secretary Robson has queer ideas of
the rights Of the American people and feels so
little the real responsibility of his position
that he sets himself up as sort of censor of
the press. He seems to have passion for
official secrets and abuses the public confidence
by withholding information to which the
public are entitled. The case of the Polars is
one in point Everything which it is pos
sible to know about the Inflated expedition the
people have right to know, They are the
judges as to whether the Secretary of the Navy
is performing his whole duty in the matter,
and are quite as competent to judge as that
distinguished official himself. But he has not
permitted it. The facts elected during the
semi-offcial examination of Captain Tyson
and his party have been studiously kept
secret and the witnesses adjured to keep
silent on pain of the Secretary's displeasure.
Mr.. Robeson's displeasure is not matter for
serious consideration, but his feeble disregard
of the rights of the people becomes important,
because it is vicious even in its feebleness A
man whom o distinguished Senator has de-
scribed as ga great sailor among constitutional
lawyers and o great constitutional lawyer
among sailors sets his judgment against all the
citizens of the Republic. In the case of the
Polaris he conceals the evidence, and,
indeed, of the testimony intends publishing
o partial statement, containing only his own
deductions. This he promises to let us have
tomorrow, after repeated disappointments.
Mr.. Robson ought to know that the people
want the facts and care nothing whatever for
his deductions. They are quite as capable of
making deductions az he. He Is simply
playing a very foolish part in withholding
what the people want to know He cannot
but be aware that his action in regard to the
rescue of the rest Of the crew of the Polaris is
very jealously watched by the country Should
the mission of the Tigress end in failure he
will be held to strict accountability, because
he acted entirely on his own motion and with
out letting the country know his purpose.
We have repeatedly advised him to purchase
the Tigress and send her in search Of the ILL
fated steamer, but we never supposed he
would act.upon our advice without publishing
the testimony which impels him to take it.
We advised this course on the state of facts as
4
HERALD. The sworn testimony will be found
when published-if not garbled-to be SUBJ
stantially the same as the HERALD's narrative.
But the people want it because it is sworn
testimony. If the Secretary of the Navy un-
derstands the temper Of the American people