Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-04-28
ANOTHER CTBAN SENSATION.

Two weeks ago this morning, the
New York money market was disturbed
by rumors from Washington of a seri-
GUS complication with Spain impend-
ing. simultaneously, brace of elab-
crate editorials appeared in the leading
Republican organ at Washington, ad-
vocating the immediate recognition
of the struggling Cubans as belliger-
ents. A few days later, Senator Car
penter introduced joint resolution to
that effect in Congress, and there the
matter has rested for the time being.
What did it all mean, and where shall
we look for the explanation !?
A month ago Marshal Serrano per-
sonally took charge of the campaign
against the Carlists around Bilboa with
a grand flourish of trumpets, and
among other things it was announced
that his army of fifty thousand had
been paid up for once. To those who
watch European finances and knew
that the bonds of the Madrid Govern
ment had been hawked and sold as low
as 12k per cent. of their face value, the
success of another loan was quite a
surprise, and curious questions were
asked as to where the money with
which Serrano inspired his troops, real
ly came from. Nominally, it was the
result of loan negotiated in London,
but with whom? The Ne1g York Free
mans Journal has tracked $4,000 to
Mr.. Sydney Webster and other law
yers in New York who acted for the
Madrid Government in the ar
rangement of the Fish-Polo Pro-
tocol. 1t claims further to be
in possession of chain of
revelations to the effect that the
new loan of half a million comes
really from no less a source than the
Prussian Government, and that others
are to follow, for all which Serrano
gives Prussia lien on Cuba as collat-
eral security The anxiety of Bis
marck for colonial dependencies is well
known. To acquire such, and divert to
them the tide of emigration from faith
erland, is portion of his grand scheme
of empire. He does not like to see so
much of the German clement slipping
from his sway to build up Canada, the
United States and other foreign ma
tions. The presence Of Krupp cannon
in the army Of Serrano is difficult to
explain. unless there be some collision
between him and Bismarck. 1t is
further asserted that in the late bat
ties around Somorrostro, these can
non were actually handled by expert
enced Prussian artillerists. All this
curiously reminds us of the candidature
of Hohenzollern- Sitmaringen for the
Spanish throne, which precipitated the
Franco-Prussian war. The feature,
however. that will most interest Amer
leans. and Southerners especially, is the
statement that the island of Cuba is the
pledge given by the Madrid Govern
ment for the monies to be advanced by
Prussia. The journal which gives pub
licity to the matter, is of strong Carllst
sympathies in the present Spanish
struggle, but is not addicted to sensa-
tions of the NeU York Herald style
The mere recital of such diplomatic
contingencies causes an unpleasant
feeling, when we look to Washington
and think of the narrow-sighted selfish
ness and incapacity at the helm OF
State The sale and delivery of Cuba
might be effected before either Grant or
Fish found out that the island was on
the market