The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-08-21
The Gernano-spanish Mystery.

There il. as we said on Wednesday. ND
den motive in the recognition OF the so'ca''eo
Spanish Republic by the European mon
arches. Germany, one of the most oec'"eu's
;mperisl of all the governments, TOOK Tue
lead. aud others, including England 'o'-
lowed. Wecould see DO good reason TOT 'ae
act. and all must know that the Repuoi'c'p
form of government can be pleasing 10 none
If tho kings. Why, then, the recognition
There is something at the bottom OF IL
which we do not yet understand. Inc
statement: concerning the cesstos OF Porto
Rico to Germany would explain 1t II That
were true. which is doubtful. The hostility
NJ the German Government TO the Carlists.
as the alleged representatives Of the Ca'nolc
Church, might in some degree account Tor
the fact that the German Government takes
the lead 10 recognizing the Spanish Repubil'
cans as opposed TO the Carlists. and the
British Cabinet would feel no great reIuc-
lance TO move in gay 10 the detrlment OF
the Catholics. But still, we think that Great
Britain is governed by higher pol!ticaI mo-
tive than that of merely opposing the Ca'ho-
lies. Therefore, we are satisfied that some
thing else has lnstigated the movement OF
Germany that has not yet met the eyes OF the
European and American public.
It Will be remembered that Germany has
been engaged IN a tentative diplomacy WIN
regard TO Spain for many months. That
Government has sent vessels OF war 10 the
Spanish coast, and has put in her oar 10 Inc
military operations between Spain and the
" ip;rapsisentes." She has been looked
uoop as prospecting tor some unexplained
purpose about Spain, and her taxing posi-
ton in the lead of those who recognized he
publican Spain is only proof that her inter
est in doing so was direct and peculiar.
in the Dspatch's article of Wednesday We
suggested that the recognition by the Euro.
poau Mouarchics had a BEARING upon the
Cuban question, those MoDarchics desiring
to shape matters SO as TO restrict the United
States-a rising and dreaded Power-from
putting hand on Cuba. Is this not probs-
BILE? The Monroe doctrine" is not fiat
tering TO the European MoDarches. They
may not want Islands on the American coast,
but they may deem it offensive to be told
that they will not be permitted 10 hold them.
So this putting fDger-nay, the whole tive
tngers-into the Spanish political pie, very
probably. is in reference to this very matter
OF interdicting them from the near Atlantic
waters!
Now, then, We may rest assured that the
Washington Cabinet will have to shape
its diplomacy with reference to the West
Indies. There are breakers ahead in that di.
rection. We speak not OF the Porto Rico
affair as developed by Biz. MCMAsTERs. of
the Freemdn's Journal, which, it seems,
Mr.. FISH looks upon as preposterous
fraud. But Spain is the new sick man,
who is rich, and there will spring up,
as effect follows cause, somebody who
want, 10 take the place of nearest of
kin [cousin German], and administer upon
the sick uaL'S a1airs. There is something
in the wealth of the Indies Which has
charmed and enchanted society for near halt
century, and still continues to weave Il
spell over men and governments. We will
surely see its effects at the present day, and
our own Government may get ready 10 frame
new policies with the purpose of taking care
Of its own Interests that may be imperilcd
in The very near future.
For twenty-four years this paper has held
the opinion that the United States Govern
mcnt should take possession of Cuba; that
it should do so for two reasons First, that
Cuba belonged to an cffie Government that
could not control il, and therefore it must
pass into other bands; and, second, that it
was the source Of endless political troubles
TO our own autEority-a sort of cancer upon
our side, which, for our own health, must
he taken into hand and managed by our own
Government. We shall be surprised if the
wisdom of this policy is not established by
the course Of events in short time. We
,evcr doubted that this was the true policy
the United States. The Spanish posses.
siouS on the American coast were too valua.
bic to be left to the mercy Of events, and the
Spanish Government was too weak to pro.
81 those possessions.
We iuay De mistaken, but we expect to see
exciting events on the subject of these Span
ish possessions in America.