Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-11-18
SECOND EDITION.
Our Relations with spain.

RIGHTS OF AMERICANS CITIZENS IN CUBA FULLY
CONCEDED AND IN FUTURE To BE PROTECTED
THE CLAIMS OF QUE GOVERNMENT PRESSED WITH
FIRMEEss-THE NAVY All AN ELEMENT IN DIPLo-
MACY.
Special Dispatch to the New York Times.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 17.-There is reason to
believe that all questions at issue between
the United States and Spain have been satis-
factorily settled by Spain yielding to the re-
quests or demands of the United States. The
note which the Madrid press reports say was
handed to Mr.. Gushing, yesterday, is understood
to be OF friendly character, but its text has not
yet been received by the Government. The re-
cent negotiations have been conducted by Mr..
Gushing, and there has been no unfriendly dis
cussion, nor has there been anything in his
notes at which the Spanish Government has
taken offense. 1t is probable that certain OBJ
jects have been sought by the United States
with great deal OF firmness, the principal one
being the better protection of the rights of
American citizens in Cuba 1t WAS stated In a
dispatch from here last night that Spain had
conceded that hereafter American citizens on
trial before courts s-martisl in Cnba shall have
the right Of defense by counsel Of their own
nationality and own selection. This is an i'm
portant right which has never been exercised
heretofore, and which, under the old treaty
could not be enforced
In accordance with the policy OF the Govern
ment in it's dealings with Spain heretofore, the
rights of American citizens in Cuba have been
the basis of our representations in regard to af-
fairs in that island, whether an end of the civil
war, or emancipation of Slaves or the inde-
pendence of the island were the subject of i'm
mediate discussion. The policy Of the Govern
ment has been unchanged i'll this respect, and
the object has now been the same as heretofore.
Neither war with Spain, the purchase of Gu
ba, the Independence OF Cuba, nor the suppress
sion Of the rebellion has ever been the prime OBJ
ject of negotiations. 1t is probable that the
had lnat y},a,,
that the purpose which has always been upper
most in our Spanish correspondence should be
yers strongly presented, and therefore it may be
supposed that the concessions which have been
made are of a nature to satisfy the Government
that the rights of American citizens in Cuba
shall be fully and absolutely respected and that
delays and prevarlcations by subordinate Off
GERS, and obstacles thrown in the way by local
tribunals, are not longer to be tolerated. II
such concessions have been made there will re-
main no EXCUSE for interference in Cuban af-
fairs.
There have been some preparations and orders
by the Navy Department which have been treat
ed, for the last two days, in an unauthorized
press. 1t is stated not officially button seemingly
good authority, that the orders for certain ves-
sells to be ready TO go to sea have been counter
manded. The vessels made ready for sea two
years ago, after the capture of the Virginius,
have been kept in good condition, and the
work Of making them ready for sea has
been easily and cheaply done. The first and
most important reason for fitting out these ves-
sells was that the Government might not in the
course of negotiations pending be brought to
the necessity of making demands which it WAS
not prepared to enforce The moral support Of
a good navy in diplomatic controversies is uii-
doubtedlY Of great Importance. II the activity
in the navy yards had any more belligerent pur-
pose it has been most carefully concealed. 1t is
certain that no purpose of warlike action has
been entertained.