New-York tribune., 1875-11-17

PRETED-AN EXCITING BIT ExTRAVAGASr AR
TIcIE IN THE LONDON TIMEs-wHAT MINISTER
CUSHING is REALLY WORKING FOR
lBY TELEGRAPH TO IRIBUsE.l
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16.-Orders were given at the
Navy Department yesterday and to-day, for the nm
mediate fitting out of three vessels of war ms
and the fact made known by recent dispatches from
Spain, and by vague hints given ont IN diplomatic
circles here that negotiations are now IN progress
between Minister Gushing and the GoveTnment at
Madrid in relation to the provisions Of the treaty
Of 1875, have been the occasion of many wild
rumors touching the mutual relations of the two
nations These rumors have been seized upon and
exaggerated by members of the Cuban bond ring,
until, if one half of them were worthy OF credit,
the would be reason to fear that we are even now
Oh ihe eve of a war with Spain. There is 10 doubt
that It has long been the desire OF our Government
10 secure a modification of the treaty Of 1872 ana
especially TO repeal certain sections OF IT, when arc
very onerous upon the United States, and have been
omitted from all recent treaties with foreign powers
1t is well known Also that Minister Cushing before
his departure for Spain, discussed this subject freely
in conversation with friends and expressed the nope
that one result of his mission might be 10 bring the
Spanish Government to consent to these changes In
the treaty While, therefore, the terms Of the note
Of the United States, which has recently been dis
cussed by the Spanish Cabinet, have not been gwen
to the public ie inferred, from what Is known OF
our own policy in regard to this subject, ana nom
the character of Spains reported II re-
lated chiefly, if not wholly, 10 desired changes III
the treaty and that it did not treat OF the war mat
has so long been in progress in Cuba
EAn exciting article relations between the
United States and Spain, which appeared IN inc
London Times Of Nov. g. caused considerable dis
c,.s;,, bora to-day II is prouer : that that
article was based ON a wholly mistaken idea OF the
character Of the diplomatic note Of the United
States to Spain so-callcd " "sem-oilicia" dis
patch was sent out from Washington to the press OF
the country, and teegraphed TO Europe JUST pre-
yous TO the publication of that article which pur-
ported to give at some length a statement of inc AZ
titnde of the United States toward Spain, and
while II did not say that the policy there ennnclated
had been officially announced TO Spain IN the dlplo-
matte note in question, the existence OF "hich han
lust been learned, the natural inference 10 DE de-
rived from the whole dispatch was 10 that eject
But II turned out that this " "semi-oicial' state
nent was wholly derived from Secretary Flshs LET
ter OF instructions To Minister Cushing on his de-
parture for Spain, which first printed IN The
Tribune about year ago. After It's publication, IL
was officially explained that this letter did not fore
shadow any change of policy toward Spain and
Cuba, but was simply a statement oI the way III
which the President had for long time looked
upon the relations of the two nations.
OF course il is impossible 10 foretell what comp-
cations may yet grow out of the chronic troubles III
Cnba ibut persons III Washington, who are very well
informed see 10 reason at present to fear any
serious trouble than there has been for the last Elk
or seven years except that every year the present
condition of affairs continues it becomes greater
strain on our patience; and they DO not believe that
there viii he speedy recognition of Cuba as bel
gcrent. The provisions of the treaty of 1873 give
Spain the right TO search American merchant vessels
for contiaband articles whenever such recognition
takes place, an indignity which it would be very
hard for American citizens to bear. II should also
be remembered that Congress alone can declare war
with foreign power, and thai after the meeting OF
that body it would be almost impossible for the
President even if he disposed, to involve US
in serious difficulties with Spain, without the as
sured support Of both Houses The fitting out
the vessels of just at this time If probably or
dcred for effect rather than because II is expected
that there will be any immediate for them. One
of them is indeed in such condition that IL could not
be put on a war footing in less than Six months.