The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-13
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.

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unlversal Peace ut Any Price and Com
eral Torpidity-Nothing Doing to Fur
ther American Interests, and Nothing
To Re Attem pied i'm Order to Retrench
ar Save the Treasury.
WASHINGTON, March 10. 1874.
Our foreign relations have settled down into
condition OF universal peace and torpidity never
known before in the history Of the government.
The departure OF Mr.. Caleb Cushing for Spain, as
diplomat enterprise, excited no remark, because
It Is. at this late hour, considered signifying
nothing, whatever might have been its import at
an earlier and more appropriate season. It Is re-
ported that his instructions may be compressed
into two words, "mastery inactivity;" for beyond
such incidental cases as may arise for some time
to come affecting the rights Of our citizens in the
island OF Cuba or OF our nag on the nigh seas, he
is instructed to rest upon his He will reaf-
nrm the sympathy OF the United states for the
republic in Spain, and the wishes OF our govern
ment for its success. He will congratulate Pres
Ident Serrano upon the amicaple settlement of the
virgtnius imbroglio and express the hope OF Pres
tdent Grant that no event may occur to disturb
the existing peaceful relations and good under
standing between the countries. But he Will
attempt nothing in the way OF a convention 70
establish upon better footing than that which
We now hold our commercial interchanges with
Cuba, and nothin in behalf OF the abolition OF
slavery IN the island, and for the sufficient reason
that the government which exists to-day at
Madrid may be displaced tomorrow. 1t Is further
said that II within year there shall be no security
IN the tenure of Office OF the Spanish government
prehensive treaty and return home.
GUARANTEE OE PEACE.
Meantime his presence our Minister at Madrid
Is 30 generally regarded as guarantee OF peace
between the two countries that no apprehensons
ana no hopes are entertained OF any interference
on the part OF our government in Cuban affairs or
OF any declaration in behalf OF the insurgents,
even though thaey gam OF me waoe
Never at Washington was the prospect Of any
action IN behalf OF Cuban independence, or OF
pation, so hopeless as now. Even the leaders OF
the colored citizens appear to have abandoned IN
ton OF Congress the administration in the cause
Of either Cuban independence or emancipation.
CENTRAL AMEkIcA TRANSPORTATION iI sc ean
prises, designs or expectations looking to the ex.
tension OF our authority or the enlargement OF our
interests in our relations with other countries.
There was last summer a scheme aiOat for the an
nexation OF the northern tier of the States OF Mex
cerned In this scheme are in Washington they have
learned the virtue Of silence and the wisdom OF
awaiting more convenient season Tor broaching
the question. And so with regard to certain
United States and Mexico and so in
reference to the various interoceanic canals
projected from Tehuantepec to Darien. Moth.
Ing can be done here for any OF them
now, for the Treasury IS at dead low water. and
they must await the return OF the mood tide. All
that can be expected from this Congress at pres
ent touching these interoceaAic canals Is some
small appropriations for the completion OF the
surveys now under way, and Tor nothing further.
ADVANTAGEOUS COMMERCIAL RECIPROCATlON
CHECKED.
Again, the time is ripe for commercial treaty
with each Of the Spanish American republics and
the Empire OF Brazil, whereby $1OO, 900, 600 IN
money within few years may be added to our
trade with these nations; but the preliminary ex-
penses necessary to open the way Tor this inviting
commercial reclprOcatlon cannot be spared at this
session, when the cheese parings, candle ends,
soap tat and waste paper OF the executive depart
the interest on the national debt, including the
bonds held by the national banks.
ST. DOMINGO AGAIN.
And 1t Is rumOred here that ex-President Baez
OF Dominica, expects to return before the end OF
the year with the sinews OF war which will enable
him to recover his government, and that then we
annexation scheme; but now two millions Tor the
whole island, including Haytt, would be Two mill
ions more than Congress could raise even by
doubling the tax on luclier matches.
THE ARMY, NAVY AND DIPLOMATIC CORPS Re-
TRENCHED.
The simple truth Is that but for the fear OF
damaging our public credit and depreciatIng our
government bonds abroad by the experiment, one
half or more OF our foreign missions. Spain among
them, would be abolished in the diplomatic
appropriations of this session, such is the
the two houses. AS 1t is, our foreign affairs for
the ensuing fiscal year will be left to take their
chances upon shortened supplies to regular
lists. The administration and Congress are re-
solved that to save the Treasury we must have
peace, universal peace, and that having deter.
will take care OF themselves Tor year or so. Ac-
cordingy the secretary OF State has retired from
active business, and as in an assured continuance
OF peace We shall want neither costly ships OF
nor standing armies, these two strong arms of the
public safety are to be cut down to the small re-
1ulrements OF the millennium.