The New York herald., 1874-08-20

caused a good deal OF comment among State De.
partment officials. For the purpose Of ascertain
ing the views Of Secretary Fish your correspond
ent called at the State Department to-day, and,
sending in hts card, was graciously received by
the Secretary, who has but recently returned.
Mr.. Fish did not seem to be burdened with a
press of public business, and when your CORE
chewing
THE END OF AN UNLIGHTED CIGAR.
The object of the visit was explained to be, first.
to call attention 10 and obtain what information
he could about the despatch alleged to have been
sent by Admiral Polo 10 Spain In answer to the
one from his government in relation to the ces-
sion OF Porto Rico to the German Empire, and,
second to call his attention to the article in the
Pau Mall Gazette Of the 5th inst, alleging that the
captain OF an American vessel had played q trick
upon the Spanish authorities and had landed mu.
nitons of war for the Carlists.
FROM SMILE TO FRowN.
The Secretary at once changed his smile OF greet
ing to frown. and said he must not be interro-
government
A disclaimer was entered of any purpose to pry
into the diplomatic affairs of the nation at this
time further than to ascertain the Secretarys
opinion of the article in the Freeman's Journal
purporting to give the exact language of Admiral
PolO's despatch.
MIR. Fish responded in a very expressive manner
"ANY MAN WAS DAMNED FOOL"
and he did not wish to be understood as using
these words in pr0fane sense, 'whO would pen
such an article as that in the Freensans Journal
and he was surprised that the type setter did not
at recognize the absurdity of the article and
send it back to the editorial room. No Minister
representing European government would have
dared to use in an official despatch the language
attributed to Admiral Polo He would not have
abased himself before his country and the world
by acknowledging in an official communication
that his signing the protocol in the virginius az
fair was weakness on his part"
why" added the Secretary, "the American
Ministers abroad go further in expressing their
eign governments at this capital dare do but they
would scarcely have dared to send here such
despatch as Is attributed to Admiral Polo in the
Freeman's Journal. Everybody knew McMasters
He was
THE ADVOCATE OF THE CARLIsr GOVERNMENT
and of the extremists in the Catholic Church. but
the Catholics in America are too sensible to be led
away by him."
He added that he had "no hesitation in pro-
nouncing
THE WHOLE STATEMENT FALsEHooD.
If Spain had any purpose of ceding Porto Rico to
Germany the American State Department was not
aware of it "
Before answering the inquiry with regard to
the Pail Mall Gazette article and the landing of
arms for the Carlists. Mfr. Fish took from his
pocket
VERY HANDSOME RED MOROCCO POCKETBooK
and selecting one from q number or newspaper
clippings read from 1t, in substance, that men,
Der Of Parliament having asked Disraeli as to the
truth OF certain matters that had been published
in newspapers in relation to Canadian affairs the
British Premier replied that he could not afford
to have his time taken up by answering ques-
tlons relating to anonymous publications In the
newspapers. That was his (Fish's) answer. He
would add, however, that so far as he knew this
statement was as false as the other There was
no such American vessel as the London, OF which
John Jefferson was master.
At this point subordinate Official appeared
with public business demanding the Secretary's
attention and your correspondent politely bowe
himself out.
Bismarck's Former Longings for St.
Domingo.
WASHINGTON, August 10, 1874.
The reported intended cession of Porto Rico to
Germany. although discredited among the few
diplomatists now in Washington, revives the story
of King Williams ambition to have a territorial
domain in the New World, and wnicn at one time
had direction toward ST. Domingo. It will be re-
membered that during the debate on the subject
of the
ANNEXATION OF ST. DOMINGO
in the Senate the report was circulated by gov
ernment officials to the effect that II the United
States did not annex the territory measures
would be taken to secure 1t for Germany, and
'nc s'ory ea'neo creuehce 'has CERTAIN en'oys
Of Bismarck were actually negotiating for the
most favorable terms. The basis OF the business
was that the expectations Of the Dominicans
were on the side OF the United States, but, fail
ing In that Baez would be compelled to ac-
cept the friendly protection Of any Euro
pean nation disposed to take st, Domingo
under its care. 1t was even discussed
in ofrcial circles whether the United States, or
rather whether the administration OF President
Grant, could OBJECT to the step 1t was alleged