New-York tribune., 1874-10-27
RNGLAND AND NEUTRAL RIGHTS.

The extraordinary asperity, verging upon
impertinence, of the protests addressed by
Spain to France and England, leaves no doubt
that they were edited by stronger power
and one much more interested than Spain in
restricting the rights and increasing the Obli-
cations of neutrals The German Govern
ment represents the extreme European posi-
ton upon this subject, and is understood to
be supported by the Russian Cabinet, which is
almost equally interested in the matter
These are the two great Powers which, more
than any other, are always prepared for war,
and readiest to avail themselves OF it for the
furaherance of their designs Of territorial ag-
grandizement. 1t is therefore to their ad-
vantage that when they declare hOstilities,
their adversary, if not equally prepared, shall
be dependent upon his own resources and
unable to supply his deficiencies in
the markets of the world. The
great market of the world is England,
and in ordinary times, after her own pressing
necessities were satisfied, France would also
be naturally source of supply of arms and
munitions of war to any nation in need of
them. The demonstration which Spain has
made was therefore probably intended to test
made in setting new precedents which would
be useful hereafter in shutting MP the work.
shops of neutrals against any possible adver-
saries of the German Empire. 1t was doubt
less for that reason that tho demonstration
was made against England as well as France.
ANY cause of quarrel with the latter country
was of course acceptable to the Chancery of
Berlin. If Spain and France could be put at
loegerheads the advantage was evident. But
if England could be induced to load her COM
merce with additional shackles at the request
of Spain, this would be far greater gain to
Germany in future.
The attempt does not seem to have met
with any great success in either direction
The French Government, which was unques-
tionably somewhat in the wrong in its treat
ment of the Carlists, has yielded with the
utmost grace to the Spanish representations.
The MacMahon Cabinet, by its anxiety to
conciliate the Legitimists, had not exercised
on it's long Pyreneean frontier the vigilance
which Spain had right to ask. Its subordi-
mates in the Department of the Lower
Pyrenees were men of imperfect administra-
tive capacity, and in great part Of violent
Carlist sympathies. Some changes are to be
made among them, which will be a
positive advantage to both countries In addi-
tion the French Government has agreed to
ioin the Spanish in exercising a more rigid
vigilance over the mouth Of the River Bidas-
soa, which has hitherto been the channel
through which brisk contraband traffic has
been kept up in the interest of the Carlists.
These concessions, unwelcome as they must
have been. in view of the peculiarly peremp-
tory demand of Spain, have been on the whole
judiciously made, and have been accepted with
equal calmness in Spain as in France. Though
there must have been great irritation in the
latter country at what seemed an ungenerOus
and almost hostile claim, the good sense of
everybody recognized the foundation for it
aud the propriety Of satisfying it. 80. .5..i.
But the same summons addressed to En-
gland has met with very different treatmenL
as might naturally have been e,pccted. The