New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-08-20
THE PORTO RICO STORY.

III IS SAID BY SECRETARY FISH TO BE WITHOUT
FoUNDATIoN-THE LETTERS DECLARED TO BE
FORGERIEs.
IBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, Aug 19-For few days past efforts
have been made to create an excitement on the SUBJ
ject of the alleged offer on the part of Spain to trans
fer to Germany the Island of Porto Rico The state
ments as the Of Spain have been very posi-
tive in their character and have been supplemented
by alleged letters from the Spanish Government
from Admiral Polo, its Minister here. and by other
assertions having, by their audacty an appearance
of pausbity. The reasons assigned for this I'M
usual generosity on the part Of Spain were simply
of grateful character for the recognition of
the Spanish Republic by the German En-
pire, The report goes on to say that, as
long ago as last April, Admiral Polo, then Spanish
Minister here, received a dispatch from the Home
Government of Spain stating that as the Govern
ment recognized the impossibility of suppressing
the Carlst instruction and the rebellion in Cuba
without foreign help, and the Government OF the
Emperor of Germany had made overtures at once
honorable and acceptable, it was desirable that the
department should know what position the Ameri-
can Government would take in the event OF the
cession of the Island of Porto Rico temporarily or
definitely to the Government of the Emperor The
report then says, with great particularly, that
Admiral Polo was much incensed at this dispatch,
and at once rendered his resignation, using the fol-
lowing language:
have had the weakness badly counseled as was to
put my name once to that has been condemned al
home and abroad 1.-THE Admiral refers to the signing
OF the protocol about the Vrgnius) Iam fully resolved
for the future il to I'LL the function OF Minis
ter here to take into consideration only what my heart
tells me is for the welfare the grandeur OF Spain
Your Exceency then cannot be surprised at my formal
refusal to give name to either OF TWO acts that
conference.-the abandonment, even for time, or our
Island OF Porto Rico the debasement OF our navy l.
navy officer refuse to have any part in an act that
makes our noble officers and our brave sailors auxiia
res of German police.
These alleged letters and all the statements were
referred to Secretary Fish, and he pronounced them
the most contemplate and absurd forgeries that
were ever attempted and he expressed surprise that
apy one of intelligence could seriously suppose that
such things could occur 1t is not usual for home
governments to acknowledge to their foreign Minis
tiers that any tasks IN which they are engaged are
hopeless and it is not customary in matters OF d.
pomacy for governments to proceed as though they
were merely buying and selling an article IN
ordinary business Mr.. Fish said that such dis
patch as was alleged to have been sent to Polo was
impossible and that the alleged reply OF the Admi-
raj was quite ridiculous. Instead of being displeased
with his duty III signing the protocol in the Viz
ginius affair, Admiral Polo perfectly satisfied
with what he had done, and his government was
also. The Secretary characterized the whole story,
in concluding the correspondence, as fabrication
on. and out-a thing manufactured without single
fact for foundation.
spECULATIoNs RESPECTING THE TRUTH OF THE
STORY.
GENERAL PRESS DIsPArcHi
WASHINGTON, Aug. 19-The article in a New-York
naper TO the effect that the Spanish Government, in
return for securing the recognition OF the Republic
by European powers, has agreed to cede the Island
of Porto Rico to Germany occasions comment in all
quarters: but there is source here at present
from which to obtain official information concern
ing the subject either confrmatory contradictory
of the startling announcement. 1t is known, how
ever that report existed a year or more
ago that Germany seeking to obtain possession
from Spain of island in the West Indies, and
though the report, which confined to small
official circle, was regarded as involving serious
consequences it was apparently forgotten. All
that can now be said with certainty is that the Ex-
ecutive Department of our Government is not mat
tentive to this matter and both Caleb Cushing, at
Madrid, and Mr. Davis, at Berlin, have the subject
on their memoranda of instructions, and will not
fail at the proper time to repeat to those Govern
ments the position of the Administration as hereto
fore privately and officially expressed by President
Grant himself and also through the Secretary of
State, IN maintenance of the Monroe doctrine.
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TDE1CUPEP PITNES PFTNSTiTED