New-York tribune., 1874-08-19
TIE RRIrssELS CONGRESS.


THE BRUSSELS CONGRESS.
OBSTACLES To ITS SUGGESTIVE POSITION OF GkhAl
RRITNN-CARIIsM AND ULTRAMoNTANIsM
irRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRiBuNEJ
BRUssELs July 30.-The International CoA-
gress seems bound live only TO confound those VINO
had so fippantly predicted that it would die. Ihere
was in fact very little confidence in its success feopo
here were even more skeptcal than elsewhere anu
were sure that it would only eat few good dinners anu
then dissolve into thin air. To-day the indications are
that it may after ALL TO drag out an existence
of three or four weeks; suspect this can only DC
done by taking up first subjects on which there is
already no difference of opinion leaving all oisPu'eu
points TO be adjusted together. and as last resort
throwing them and saving only the nrst Inc |on
gress will thus the glory of saving What Is i'll ho
sort OF danger. All civilized countries are agreed
for instance, that prisoners OF war ought 10
he treated humauey, that they ought 10 be SUD-
iected 10 no ndignity. 1t was hardly worth the ouoe
of calling Congress together to legislate these Prin
ciples into code. 1t would have been easier 10 nave
adopted the Amencan articles of war en- toc-a course
of action which Prof BuDtsehi would doubtless nave
recommended 1t is true that this anomaly is almost
ipseparable from all attempts 10 leglate on the suo
ject of International law. Congress can only ra'S
what universal public sentiment already SANCTIONS
and one may almost what universal usage mas long
praeticed; principles which have this degree OF
validity can be little strengthened by Congress-
Prince Bsmarck and Prince Gorschakof know this as
well as anybody. One Is bound TO admire, therefore,
the hopeulness which inspired the idea OF the Confer
encc and the audacy which wrote into the proposed
code articles that 10 be rjected but one ls
even then as far ever from the secret motives OF
those statesmen.
Tbr appearance of the English delegate caused no
surprise Berlin and st. Petersburg knew from the
first that be would the spot just as they know all
the resolutions OF the Elgsh Cabinet long Deiore tne
cnmbrous parliamentary windlass mas hl'eu
them into the light of publicity. am ol'en
forced TO ask myself II EnglIshmen themselves
ever see anything ridiculous III their foreign
policy. Do they know that those oraeuiar
patitudes which, in the mouths Of Earl Granville or
Earl Derby they call prudence and sagacity are the
laughing stock of every cabinet on the cOnnenti 10
they know that a Prussian politician never speaks OF
English policy without curl OF the Up ana saeer'
Have they realized that the two leading statesmen
Of Europe little respect for the buster as Tor the
bumanitarianism of the English Government Many
thinking man among the subjects Of Queen Victoria Will
not be surprised by these questions. They, or rather
the nferences which they suggest, describe with tue
greatest accuracy the state OF continental ieehne
toward England, and the Importance that Is
attached 20 her movements IN the graver
political affairs Of Europe. But does one ever
genuine article on the subject III an EnSsn jour
nail Certainly 1t is not professional etiquette
believe for the London TO critcse the dpiomalc
representatives the country abroad. In the dplo
matte service Great Britain 1t the policy OF Earl
Granville at least, TO put check capacity and
premium on dulness. L could name more than one
clever and active plebean that service whom IT was
the evident purpose Of the last Cabinet deliberately to
suppress aud who can never hope to rise aoove GER
tain rank woiully incomnensurate with their abilities
They are men who would now and then make Palmer
ston or stratford Redclife They are men on whom
Bismarck Gortsehako would not put their foot with
impunity they could England against the Khiva
business they could tell the Brussels Congress
means and they would least give English diplomacy
"a name and character at the courts where 1t Is now
despised.
Very little Of general interest has become known
respecting transactions of the Congress 1t is now
sitting, as 1t were. IN committee Of the whole ana Is
working iudustriously about three hours per day.
Nearly all the European States represented, while
the responsibility for the Western Continents borne by
the delegate from the Republic OF San Salvador. He
seems however, be sort OF philanthropist and a
selfappointed delegate. The Belgians of all classes
look eody on the Congress- the Liberals because they
suspect some trick the part Of the great military
monarchies the clerca because they hear rumors
that some demonstration against Carlisn VIII
be made. Both may be In measure right Ihe Con-
gress can Of course take step against Carlism
principle or cause but the purpose OF the Congress is
discourage the operations OF such bandlt as are
rayagng Spain IN the cause the altar and the throRe
The U,ramon press Of Paris is indignant that the
Madrid Government and not Don Carlos was invited to
the Conference. lie hord, the Russian organ here,
replies. IL first shows that, in the nature Of
things. serrano's Government is the only ex-
listing one IN Spain, and invitation TO
send delegates 10 a purely humanitarian gathering
has no political significance; and then 1t adds tnat in
view Of recent exploits of the Carsts it doubts they
Gre vet qualified to take part In work OF human
ity. find the feeling against UnramontaDsm even
stronger here among Liberals than in Germany. In
Germany may and then detect certain art
fetal the anti-Caholic spirit, tendency TO
combat the Church not much because II is foe to
civilization as because 1t nterfe<es with many political
schemes at home There very little said against
Carlism till the German Capt. Schmidt was murdered
But the Liberalism of Belgium is broad enough for the
world. The indignation against Carsm and its French
xympathzers OF the bitter OF course, the
Liberal view 10 more frequently heard, because the
ablest journals, and in general the enlightened
public sentiment, Liberal and aDt-Clerica But
suppose the Cericas stand that. so long they
hold undspubed possession OF the polls and OF
having an orthodox ministry. At the time, the
present ministers are moderate Catholics, not person
ally objectionable 10 body. Is IL likely that the
King would accept one OF a more pronounced reaction
ary type.