The New York herald., 1873-11-06
WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 1873
Spanish New Departure on tho Cuban
QuestiOn-Tho New Ambassador.

Figueras, the Spanish Ambassador TO the United
States, Is expected here about the 18th OF this
month. Unusual interest centres in the move
ments or the Spanish government at this time.
and various are the conjectures as to the motive
which led to this change In the diplomatic charac-
ter OF the representative OF Spain near the seat OF
governments at Washington. 1t is said in
official circles that the President VILE
hereafter let the matter OF Cuban In
dependence severely alone, for. the island OF
Cuba being part OF the Spanish Republic, 1t would
be breach OF international etiquette for tho
United states to regret even that sister republic
was afflicted with internecne troubles, whether
at home or in her colonies except coupled
withthe usual expression or the duty or
non interference by the American government
and its citizens. The same doctrine laid
down as applicable to this country during
the late civil war is considered binding iorce
in respect to any other republic and It's dependen-
cies. At the State Department 1t is known that
important consequences are likely to follow the
appointment OF Jovellar to be Captain General Of
Cuba, and the official visit to that island to be
made by the Spanish Minister Tor the Colonies.
Mr.. Soler. The release OF American en-
Dargoed property, concerning which reclamationS
have hitherto been made in vain, and the sincere
cooperation OF Spanish officials in Cuba In assist
Ing American claimants before the Spanlsh-Ameri-
can Claims Commission to obtain evidence, are
among the important promises made, and to which
the faith OF the Spanish Republic is pledged. To
the extent that the home government can spare
Its forces, they will be sent to Cuba, while the
bellion now existing in the island win be
regarded as the outgrowth OF monarchical
rule. The new policy to be inaugurated Will be to
proclaim amnesty to all now in arms, II they cease
hostilites within a certain time, otherwise to be-
regarded as insurgents against whom the forcea
OF the Republic will be directed with renewed
vigor The part Figueras is expected TO perform
in Washington Is anticipated by our government.
1t is usually supposed that ambassadors can only
be sent to and from monarchical governments That,
the State department says, is an error The states
General Of the Netherlands in time OF their pros
perity as q republican government not seldom
sent Ambassadors to represent them at monarchi-
cal courts in Europe. 1t is perfectly proper and
conformabe to precedent for the Republic OF Spain
to send an Ambassador to the American Republic,
and 1t Is thought that 1t would be greatly for the
advantage of the United States il we were to send
Ambassadors to European powers, especially
Germany, France and Great Britain. In
theory the use Of an Ambassador
is supposed be to give him to the chief Of
the government to which he is accredited, 1t being
assumed that diplomatic agents OF inferior rank
have no such right OF access But that is really a
tring consideration in the opinion OF the Depart
ment of State The real advantage Of holding the
rank OF Ambassador is the preference and prece-
dence which he enjoys, which is really
great advantage in the transaction Of
business as in the influence 1t gives to his
own country. The prevailing error on this subject
is connected with another error. The idea seems
to be current that the salary OF an American
Minister denotes his rank Thus, when an addi-
ton was made to the salary OF our Envoy TO Ger
many, the common expression was that the rank
of the mission had been raised. That Is mistake.
Mr.. Bancroft, with higher salary at Berlin,
is Of no higher rank than our Minister at
Madrid with q lower salary. Notwithstanding the
difference In the salary the two missions are OF
exactly the same rank. The only objection to
sending an Ambassador from the United States to
France, Great Britain or Germany Is the danger
that 1t would lead to pretensions OF augmented
salary. As to Mr. Figueras, our government Will
rejoice TO see an European Republic represented
at Washington by the highest diplomatic rank
recognized in Europe except that OF the Nnncio Of
the Pope.
Minister Low and Our Relations with
China.
Hon. F. r. Low, Minister to China, who has been
here for several days, leaves for New York tomor-
row, and will proceed to San Francisco in a few
weeks on his way back to China. He has had ex-
ScCTe-
tary OF State recently. and it is learned rea-
BILE authority that they expressed themselves as
entirely satisfied with his whole official record
during the four years he has been Minister
to Pekin. Particular satisfaction Is expressed at
the settlement effected by Mr.. Low aided by the
British, French, Russian, Dutch and Japanese
Minister'S OF the audience question in manner
which foreign nations can construe Chinese
recognition Of their absolute equality with that
nation. Efforts for such an acknowledge
ment had been made for $50 years,
but prior to last June no foreigner had
ever been admitted to the presence OF the Ems
peror without kneeling or prostration in token Of
vassaage. This degrading requirement was sub
mitted to in the last century by an English Ambas-
sador who knelt, and by Russian, who performed
the "kotow, which consists or three kneelings and
nine prostrations OF the head on the ground. ON
the goth day of June Mr.. Low and other foregn
ministers were received in the imperial presence
standing, IN the same manner as at Europeans
courts The abolition Of this ceremony is regarded
by our government as great diplomatic success,
and accomplishing, by peaceful means, q matera1
Improvement in our relations with China. Mr..
Low is strongly impressed with the i'm
portance OF a plan which has been formed
by the Chinese government for educating
$50 Chinese youths in this country Sixty
have already arrived, ana are pursuing their
studies in Massachusetts, and Connecticut and tho
will be sent over at the rate OF thirty
They are picked youths between the
ages OF eleven and fourteen years, and coming here
accompanied by English-speaking Chinese guar
dams and tutors are to be given thorough
which the government calculates Will
occupy fifteen years. The first year they are to be-
placed in pairs in families, and afterwards
in American schools and families. Just
y III.
Prince Kung the Prime Minister, especially
commended this project to his notice, and at the,
same time expressed the earnest desire felt by thoi
imperia government TO suppress the coolie trade.,
This trafiic is carried with Cuba and Peru rom
the Portuguese port OF Macao and altnougn the
Chinese authorities arc powerless to stop IL by.
direct measures they are making every enort to-
break II up by indirect means, and by surrounding
Macao with n Gordon OF boats they hope TO suc-'
naaI In nrfinn nff the sunnly of coolies. who aro