The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-08-30
the purpose of securing the favorable action
of the Western Congressional Delegation in
our behalf before the coming Con gress.
MT. McMaster's Card.

Oh the hTSJ page oil to-uays paper We
publish letter from this distinguished Ca
| tholic journalist TO the New York Herald.
As usual in his controversies, his language is
very strong and to the point. Though be does
not produce the testimony upon which he bases
his assertions about the intended transfer of
Porto Rico to Germany, he nevertheless effect
ually shows Mr.. Fish that man may believe
in the tieachery of the Serransts to Spain and
the grasping ambition of Germany, without
being what eur astute Secretary of State SO
elegantly terms =" damned fool"
AR. McMaster's assertion, it will be remem-
bered, was that last April, Admiral Polo, the
Spanish Minister at Washington, was asked by
his Government to ascertain what position the
American Government would take in the event
| of the cession of ">our Isle of Porto Rico, tenn
porarily or definitely, 10 the Government of
His Majesty the Emperor"
The dispatch stated that the Government
| recognized the impossibilty of suppressing the
Carlist instruction without assistance, aud
that the German Government proposed, G) to
ensure the success of q loan in its behalf if
offered in London, (2) to establish feet of
cruisers the Spanish coast to suppress con-
traband of war-he Spanish feet to cooperate,
(3) to recognise Serranos Dictatorship, on its
present basis and use it's utmost influence to
have other Governments recognize it.
Admiral Polo answered that the communica-
ton shocked him, that the bargain anti
! patriotic, and that he offered bis resignation
as Minister to Washington. We now give the
FIeeman's words:
The Madrid Dictatorship forthwith replied {:
| That the Carlist instruction was making,
| every day, =" immense progress" Any possible
l har
cellency has exaggerated scruples. The Gov
| eminent has accepted the offers of the German
| Cabinet, because these in no way really iujure
| the national sentiment. Not a German foot
will tread the sacred soil of Spain proper. 1t is
| not an intervention but only police service,
| done by the German marine, in concert with
the marine OF the country u As to Porto
Rico that is only pledge for the fulflment of
the agreements made by the two govern
ments."
Admiral Polo's rejoinder was worthy of a
| Spanish officer:
"I have had the ENTHUSIASTICALLY coun-
selled as waste put my name, once to an
| act that has been condemned at home and
| abroad. (The Admiral refers to the mutually
disgfacefnl bargain of the Protocol about the
| RirgiRius am fully resolved, for the future,
| if continue to fill the functions of Minister
here, to take into consideration only what my
heart tells me is for the welfare and the gran
denr of Spain. Your Exceiiency, then, cannot
be surprised at my formal refusal to give my
name to either of two acts that condemn
| Jne aDanQOnmenG, even lOr Time, OF our
Island of Porto Rico; or the deBGsemont Of ou,
Nary T. a Navy officer, refuse to have any
| part in an act that makes our noble officers,
| and our brave sailors, anrliaries Of q German
police ~
The response to this was the recall of Ad-
mral Polo-a gallant veteran of thirty years
| commissioned service in the Spanish Navy.
1t was upon reading this that Secretary Fish
stated that any man who would write such
stuff must be "a damned fool"
| The controversy has created much excite
ment at the North, especially in diplomatic
circles, and many OF the leading journals seem
inclined to believe, even az the expense of
their Own regulations for enterprise, that the
Freeman has struck the right trail.