The New York herald., 1873-11-29
STATESMEN ON THE SPANISH
QUESTION.


but DispassionaJely.
HERALD reporter conversed yesterday with the
Hon. Luke P. Poland, member Of Congress from
Vermont, about the Cuban imbroglio. Mr.. Poland
was az the Grand Central Hotel, being on his way
to Washington Mr.. Poland gave his views with
his usual deiberation.
REpoRrEa-what do you think OF the C uban i'm.
broglo, Judge
Mr. PoLAND-My views on this subject are
scarcely sufficiently matured 10 meri; publicity.
have been so busy witn my own AFFAIRS lately that
have had no time to give this matter the close
etudy which IL would seem TO require.
REP0RTER-What do you think OF the demands
made upon Spain by our government
MI PoLAED-weil, am not sufficiently informed
in regard to the legal status oil tine vessel to know
what are the precise duties which should devolye
upon the United States. suppose 1t was under
stood that the vessel was going with arms TO aid
the insurgents in Cuba and whether she was still
entitled to our protection il more than know
She was sailing under the United States nag, ano,
p9sTSaA yJdcle that
GAVE HER NATIONAL CHARACTER.
But don't know whether she was legally regis
tered. have seen in the newspapers statements
that she had regular registry as an American ves-
sci. but don't know whether this was TACT
REP0RTER--Wbat do you think Of the attitude OF
our government Judge
Mr.. PoLAND--I have no doubt that our govern
ment win give proper protection to all vessels.
Moreover, do not know what the Cuban law IN
regard tO such cases Is. Everybody agrees that
the men were treated with very great nnumanity.
To tell yon the truth, regard both parties down
there as barbarians and doubt whether there is
much to choose between them.
REpoRTER-Have you hopes OF peaceful solution
OF the question:
Mr.. POLAND-i can't believe that the Spanish
government, which seems scarcely able to keep it's
head out OF water, will refuse TO accede to any
reasonable demands OF the United States. They
must be aware that in contest OF main force
Spain would have no chance at all The Spanish
government has too much on it's hands already.
In regard to the past trouble with the authorities
In Cuba must say this-a great deal has been
done by Cuban patriots and
HOLDERS OF CUBAN BONDS
10 involve MS in difricuties with Spain. That DR..
Houard-or Howard as they called him to make
Yankee out OF him-f0r instance, had no more
right TO the protection OF the United States than
have to that Of Spain. For the last four or five
years they have inundated the country with these
Cuban bonds, and gentlemen whose pockets are
full Of these bonds would OF course like to aid the
insurgents.
REP0RTER-What will Congress do'
Mr.. POLAND really have no idea what Congress
viii do. have doubt the President in his Mes
sage will give us all the Information in his posses
sion. i am in favor OF treating the subject
firmly, resolutely but dispassionateiy. There
are some VINO will Of course, Immediately
cry, "War warp but am not in favor Of any
such hasty action. spain will undoubtedly accede
to our demands. The Spanish government knows
that If we had a war, all we should have to 90
would be to send force down to take Cuba, and
hat to
have an immense advantage in this-we should
have the war right at our door, while they would
has no naval force that it can spare now, and It is
q doubtful question every few days whether the
REPORTyR-And II Spain should refuse to accede
to our Just demandsY
Mr.. PoLAND-Then the result may be war; but
repeat that l have all confidence in Mr.. Fish and
the President, and believe that they
WILL ONLY MAKE SUCH JUST DEMANDS
as Spain VIII be morally compelled TO accede to
with o frank smile). You might imagine that
very strong Power might seek war with very
weak nation on unreasonable pretexts, but It is
not very likely that q very small Power would
seek war with very great Power on unreason.
able pretexts (smiling SLID. must confess l
their views when they haye given but little atten-
tl0n to the facts of the cdse
our government as stated in the HERALD's special
dispatches from Madrid
surrender Of the Vrcnns q reasnnahe becans
she violated only our laws, If she violated any, and
we ought TO have mad chance to punish all those
that violated them. The demand for the surrender
of the surviving members OF the crew would stand
upon the same ground.
REPoRTER-And as to the demand for the punish
ment OF The butchers?
Mr.. PoLAND-lhat depends on whether they
was the case we could not ask tne spanish govern
ment to punish them. II these poor victims were
put TO death, however, in violation OF their own
laws we @ surely have the right to ~ ask lor
REPoRTER-And as to the demand for indemnity
Mr.. PoLAND-well, II they had in Cuba an in
human law authorizing such an execution then we
question stands practically on the same ground as
the demand for the punishment OF the butchers.
.,,n aEpoRIEkLi suppose good deal VIII depend on
the complexion OF the committee on Foreign Rela-
tions
Mr. PoLAxD-of course the Presidents Message
on tins subject viii be referred TO this committee.
pLaughing) We should have lively time OF it n
Banks was at the mead OF the committee. He was
always fast friend OF the Cuban patriots.
REPoRTER-And the effect or war ON opr lam
gushing industries
Mr. PoLAND-oh, the government would, Of
quite likely that BUSINESS would improve in conse-
quence. Naughina.) BY the bye, l noticed that
ent the republican party Wen, shall not vote
for war on any such grounds
With this the Interview ended.
Views OF General Ben Butlcr-A Good
story About the Dog That Bites Nam
kind.
General Butler was at the Fifth Avenue Hotel
yesterday, and told a HERALD reporter such good
story about q certain dog-no Spanish dog, OF
course-that it Is well worth relating. General
Butler and the reporter were talking about the
Cuban imbroglio when the story crossed his mind.
my views on the Cuban question:" the General
said closing his one historic eye and opening the
other very wide, "have already been published in
the HERALD; but might tell you story ABOUT
dog, which has some bearing on this question.
There are are two neighbors In this story OF mine
and one OF them has cross dog that bites man.
Kind. This dog also bites the other neighbours
Kindly disposed, he would say, You must shut up
this dog and pay my DOCTORS bill.' II ne were not
spot.
"Now, II the owner Of the dog would say: 4 win
agree TO shut up my dog and pay the bill, but YOU
must give me tlme.' the answer aDould be. sI,lI