The New York herald., 1874-08-19
Germany, spain and Porto Rico.

motiNeS as the government OF Nefiuony' ~
has no relations with other Powers which are
III any sense gentle. There is no sympathy
for it in its neighbors and it has so little
OF anything like sympathy for these respec-
lively that it cannot be pictured by the i'm
agnation as stopping to consider any reasons
but those of the danger and the convenience
in case it should be tempted to seize any
State within its reach. Hard, cold, resolute,
its own interest and its own advantage are Its
law and its gospel to a degree not recently
known between European nations. Its diplo-
matte negotiations are bargains pure and
simple, and, as we saw in the case Of France,
it is sharp and relentless trader.
Yet this Power has lately come before the
world as the ''friend' of the Spanish Repub-
lie If there was one thing less likely than
that the Berlin government should go out OF its
way to serve republic. it was that it should
go out of its way to serve Spain. There was,
to be sure the chance to pique and annoy the
French, and startle them with the notion that
the understanding between these two Powers
must necessarily be based in a common enmity
to themselves. Gould Germany be moved
to aid Spain by such O consideration? No!
1t Is mere sentimental motive; and, as Ger
many is not moved to anybodys favor by SEN
timent, SO sentiment could not inspire her
even with malice. That is notion calculated
to occupy the French and titilate anew their
sometime neglected vanity. Could it be the
killing of Captain Schmidt? He was
not in the army when killed, though
he was, Of course, still a Prussian
subject; and his murder Oh Spanish
territory might give Prussia good claim for
indemnity against the government at Madrid,
but is no reason for her taking an important
political action against the insUrection.
Neither William nor Bismarck sets such value
on the life Of an isolated German subject. In
the notion that whatever is done against the
Carlists is done against ultramontanism there
is more weight yet Bismarck seems too much
an adept in diplomatic economies to waste in
Spain efforts that would call down as much
opprobrium as if they were applied in Ger
many, but which, if applied in Germany, are
more likely to be effective in purging that
realm Of Jesuits and Jesuitry, and in other
wise giving effect to the vigorous campaign
against the political consequences of Papal
assumptions.
But the fact is before the world that Ger
many assumed vigorous initiative for the
recognition of the Republic, and by her mere
nod to the other Powers has made the recogni-
ton well nigh general. What was her motive
What equivalent for this service did she
receive from Spain Prussia's part of the
bargain is before the world. What is the other
part? What price has been paid to move a
Power that never moves save where it sees its
own direct and definite advantage?
1t is alleged as q fact that the cesson of
Porto Rico to Germany has been treated upon
between these Powers in the present year, and
fragment OF despatch is given in which the
rected to ascertain how the United States
would regard "the cession of the island of
Porto Rico temporarily or defnitively to the
government of His Majesty the Emperor"
1t is circumstantially reported that the Span
ish representative INDUCED himself in the
usual national rhodomontade on the subject
of the alienation of territory, and proceeded
to instruct his superiors at home on their
duty and on the true instincts of an exalted
patriotism; aud this detail gives the picture
wonderful air of reality The fact thus pre-
sented of q negotiation for the transfer to
Germany of Spanish territory in this hemi-
sphere is in full agreement with what we have
hitherto said on this subject, arguing from
the mere possibilities and diplomatic likel-
hoods of the case. Germany has maritime
ambition. and she is in the market, and has
been this long while, an eager customer for
colonies or seaports or feasible sites for naval
stations in frequented seas, and the tempta-
ton Of the colony named is the one thing
above nearly all others that could in
duce her to take up the case of Spain as
save the name of things to Spanish honor,
was to be "only pledge" in the hands Of
Germany for Spain's fulflment of compact;
but this compact involved loan of money.
Germany was to take up and cash Spanish
loan then on the London market, and Porto
Rico was to be the security to Germany. Ger
many therefore, would merely occupy Porto
Rico SO long as Spain paid her interest, and
when the interest was in default Germany
would assume formal possession. Nothing
could be more certain than that Spain would
soon fail to pay the interest Not one of our
own reconstructed States OF q new Western
railroad could be counted upon for such a
result with more certainty. Germany, there
fore, would get the colony cheaply enough.
What was the course of our government
with regard to this negotiation? For though
Admiral Polo refused to lay the subject before
Mr.. Fish, and was recalled it cannot for
moment be doubted that the subject was laid
before him, since Germany would not venture
her money in such q bargain without the
security of o formal declaration from this gov