National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-08-19
4 RTARTLLNR RnMnR

| The recognition of the Spanish republic
by the principal European Powers, which
Bismarck and the German empire were in
strumental In securing, and for which act
Of kindliness Germany has been officially
thanked. is followed by the startling report
that in consideration of this service the
Spanish authorities have agreed to cede the
island Of Porto Rico to Prussia. If this
report should prove to be true, it is difficult
to see how our Government can be unmoyed
by it. The scheme is virtual defiance of
the open and declared policy of the Ameri--
can Government, and cannot be regarded
in any other light than virtual insult to
cur people.
The report comes to us from q strange
source, the New York Frssnsan's Journal,
which is one of the organs of the Catholic
Church, and which, from its position, has
access to sources of. information that may
be considered trustworthy. 1t declares
that in the beginning of April last Admiral
Polo, then Spanish Minister in this city,
received the following dispatch from his
Government Gas the Government recog-
"nizes the impossibility of suppressing the
"Carlist instruction and the rebellion In
Cuba without foreign help, and as the
Government of his Majesty the Emperor
"of Germany has made US oVertures at
"once honorable and acceptable, it is de-
"sirable that this department should know
what position the American Government
would take in the event Of the session of
"our Isle OF Porto Rico, temporarily or
definitely, to the Government Of His
Majesty the Emperor" !
The same journal asserts that the gallant
old Admiral promptly replied that the
proposition of the Minister of State shocked
him, and he rendered his resignation. The
exact language of his dispatch Is given US
follows: al have had the Yeakness-badly
"counseled as Iwas-to put my name once
to an act that has been condemned at
"home and abroad. 1.-THE Admiral refers
TO the mutually disgraceful bargain of the ]
"procotol about the Virginius ] I am fully
resolved for the future, If 1 continue to
" ill the functions Of Minister here, to take
Unto consideration only what my heart
"tells me is for the welfare and the gran.
"deur of Spain. Your Excellsncy, then,
cannot be surprised at my former refusal
" to give my name TO either Of two acts
"that I condemn-the abandonment, even
" for time, of our Island Of Porto Rico, or
"the debasement of our navy. !, navy
"oficer, refuse to have any part in an act
"that makes our noble officers and our
''brave sailors auxiIaries of German po-
"lice."
The interest Of the FrssmGn's Journal
in this whole matter is, of course, purely
ecclesiastical 1t and its party look to Don
Carlos as the standard bearer of the Church
in Europe, whose triumph would mean the
triumph Of the Church all over Europe
But with that we as a people have nothing
to do. The great question with us as
Americans Is, shall another European
Power, If these reports be true, be per-
mitted to obtain o foothold almost within
sight Of our shores; shall we permit
the German legions to trample down lib
erty in Cuba and perpetuate slavery in the
island3 The rumor may be entirely with
out foundation in fact, but 1t is by no means
improbable The New York Herald, In
an article on the subject, says: Europe
"now exercises too much authority upon
North American soil, and her further &C
QUESTION of territory cannot be safely per-
United. The American policy upon this
subject is well defined; it is thoroughly
'fknown to Germany; but the danger that
'sho may persist is evident. The recall Of
Admiral Polo and the important assist
''ance rendered to Spain are uumistaksble
indications that unless the President and
Secretary Fish are firm, another European
monarchy will establish itself ct the gates
''Of the Republic. If this is to be, then it
''was not the French alone but the Ameri-
leans that were whipped by the Prussians
Sat Sedan"