The New York herald., 1874-09-02

now that he has passed away those who remain
behind desire to pay the last sad tribute of
respect and love.
Spain, England and tho United states.
1t appears in despatch to this Office from
London that Mr.. Mcdonnell. the British
T. that the Spanish government appeals TO
England to defer pressing a settlement of her
claims concerning the Virginius outrage on
account of similar negotiations pending with
the United States-that Spain will be ham,
pered in her negotiations with us if our gov
ernment is able to cite ss precedent the pay
ment of the indemnity demanded by Eng
land. Lord Derby replies, July II, demand
ing settlement at fixed and not too distant
date; and Mr.. Mcdonnell telegraphs from
Madrid, August 7. that the Spanish Ministef
agrees that the indemnity shall be settled i'm
mediately under certain reservations.
This report, upon the dates, names and
specifications given, we assume is true; but if
true, this appeal of the Spanish government
surely demands the immediate attention of
Mr.. Secretary Fish. The Virginius claims
upon Spain OF England and the United States
are substantially the same. Certain British
subjects and certain American citizens found
on board the Virginius were shot as filibus-
tors by the Spanish authorities of Cuba. For
the unlawful butchery of the Englishmen
among those prisoners England demands In
demnity; for the illegal slaughter of the
American citizens among those prisoners our
government has demanded indemnity. The
principles of public law in both cases are the
same but mark the distinction made by
Spain.
England appears to be pushing her demand
She never permits much quibbling or trifing
in such matters. Spain appeals for little
more time, and, giving her appeal its full in
depreciation, we think it may thus be rem
dered: please express to Lord Derby our
humble thanks tor his indulgence so fart
has been very good of him-and say to him
for US that his claim is all right, and that the
money would be paid over at once but for the
fact that those unprincipled Yankees at
Washington have similar claim upon us,
"AiSA "o w NV AueOAu W Poy' Oue LII IoCOk-
nizing and settling the claim of England at
this time precedent will be established which
will give US considerable trouble to get off
without paying the claim Of the United States
Be good enough so to represent our situation
to Lord Derby, and say to him if he will in
dulge us yet little longer until we shall have
disposed Of Mr. Secretary Fish, that that in
demnity will be paid"
The appeal Of Spain is clearly open to this
Interpretation. 1t embraces, first, an insult to
our government in the unwarrantable distinc-
ton made between it and that of England,
and, second, an apology to England, which is
equivalent to q request for q little assistance
in deliberate design to defraud the United
States. Now it strikes us that here is matter
which calls for the immediate attention of Mr..
Secretary Fish, at least to the extent of asking
of the Spanish government through our Minis
ter at Madrid the exact contents of the English
dispatches referred to, and, if correctly re-
ported, why this distinction made between
the virginius claims Of England and similar
claims from the United States2