Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-11-28
Cape Fear Agricultural Association.
Fifth Annual Fair.
DECEMBER 9th, 18th, 1873.
CTRiN AFFAIRS NJ E II & 4
DIpLO MACY.

Since The capture of the Tirginius,
by the Spanish gunboat Tornado, mat
ters have steadily gone from bad to
worse, until now it seems almost i'm
possible to avert war.
Leaving entirely out OF the question
the legality or Illegally Of the first
act in the bloody drama, that is, the
capture of the Virginius, the conduct
Of the representatives of the Spanish
Government in Cuba and, indeed, If
later unofficial accounts be true, tue
conduct Of Spanish officials and the
Spanish people in Madrid, has been
such that it is difficult to see how, in
accordance with the code of honor
observed among nations, the relations
existing between Spain and the United
States, can any longer remain peaceful.
OF one thing, however, the people
of the United States may rest assured.
and that is that, if war comes, it will
not come of any precipitate action on
the part of the Federal Government,
nor from any undue Taste on the part
of that Government to provoke Spain
to actual hostilities Indeed, the tar
diuess with which the Secretary Of
State has acted, and tho marked
friendly coloring he has given to the
action of tho Spanish Government,
and his constant expressions OF SUI
Il IS
that Government to make ample repa-
ration for any injury or insult to the
AIneri t:1 1:g have excited not only
comment, but suspicion. Indeed, as
If to account for this course by Mr..
Secretary Fish, il has been stated that
his son represents the Spanish Govern
ment at Washington City as its Attor
hey, and receives for his services in
that capacity one hundred thousand
dollars year. Nor is it only recently
that this statement has been made.
The manifest improperly of the
son of the Secretary in charge of the
Foreign Affairs being the heavily paid
Attorney of foreign nation, is SO
great that, but for the Decentralization
of the age generally, and the corrupt
practices by American officials partic-
ularly, it would scarcely be credited.
Comparing the course of the Spanish
Government, as shown by later dis
patches and first by unofficial dis
patches. and that said to have been
its COURSE by the reports OF dispatches
first maIo and emanating from the
Department of State and the relations
Of the American Minister with thu
Spanish officials, most men will come
to the conclusion that Mr.. Secretary
Fish owes ii to his personal and TO his
official honor Ia explain the dis
crepancy.
According to the first dispatches. NJ
reported from the State Department
at Washington, the CASTELAR, Govern
ment was exceedingly anxious to DO ali
in lis power To meet the views of the
American Government, and General
Sickles, tie American Minister, was
being constantly cioseted with Spanish
digniiaries in the most friendly and
familiar way. S" far from this being
truA as reported at the State Depart-
ment in Washington City. it turns out
that there is Il serious Inisunderstand-
ing between General Sickles and the
Spanish Cabinet; that the Spanish
Government told General Siakles that
Spain would not tolerate American in
reference and haughtily refused to
municipal affairs III Cuba; that the
interview" terminated angrily and
with the declaration, on the part OF
the American Minister, that he would
henceforth hold no more personal, but
only official, relations with the Spanish
Ministe'. If Foreign Affairs; and not
only tina. b - American Minister
IS in DANCE. personal violence from
the Spanish mob. How is this glaring
discrepancy to be reconciled? Does
Mr.. Fish allege that his first dis
patches made false representations
If SO, who is responsible therefor It
is certainly curious state of affairs,
and about the only thing that seems
perfectly clear is that the Spanish
Minister for Foreign Affairs has no
son who is Attorney for the United
States Government at Madrid with q
salary OF one hundred thousand dol
lars year.