National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-19
OUR RELATIONS WITH SPAIN.


The historian who makes relative est
mate Of the conduct of our relations with
foreign Governments by President Grants
administration with that Of preceding ad-
ministrations, or with the diplomacy Of
cotemporaneous Powers, will be compelled
10 concede 10 II brilliant success by com.
parison In the result Of lis negotiations
with the Spanish Government regarding
the Nirginus affair. The terms Of the set.
Element of that difference have been made
public, and have been subjected to general
discussion, the result Of which Is n verdict
Of unanimous approval. When the Viz
ginius was captured our Government de-
manded her surrender, salute 10 the flag
which had been lnsultcd, and indemnify
for American citizens who had been slaugh'
tered at Santiago dc Cuba. These de-
mands have all been complied with, and In
urging that compliance our Government
has avoided the possibility Of war, rs well
as succeeding in obtaining better terms as
regards the latter demand than those &C.
corded Great Britain. OF the crew and
passengers of the i'll fatcd vessel who were
slaughtered were British subjects as well
as American citizens. Great Britain, with
accustomed buster, proceeded TO make ne
gotiations without regard TO the efforts of
the United States. The British claim as
presented was So, 500 for each white man
and 81, 500 for each colored man, the ag-
gregate being $3S, 500 for ten white men
and nine colored men. The Spanish Gov
eminent did not assent to this demand, but
finally agreed TO pay an aggregate OF $685.
50O with the stipulation that, if the repre-
sentatives of any of the persons slain did
not make claim for their proportion, the
amount should be returned to the Span.
ish Government. The American propo-
sition was quite different Secretary
Fish made his claim on the basis of 50, 500
for each member of the crew slain, without
regard TO color, and larger but not speci-
fed sum for each officer slain. This de-
mand was streluously enforced until the
Spanish Government yielded and agreed to
pay unconditionally TO our Government the
sum of $4,000. Ii any portion Of this
amount remains unclaimed, there is no ac-
countability to Spain for it, but it remains
in our national Treasury The difference
between the two settlements is thus appa-
rent The British Government made dis.
tinction between its white and colored sub
jccts-a distinction the more remarkable in
view of the professions Of that Govern
ment. The American Government refused
to make any discrimination, and faithfully
Observed the spirit of the amended Consti-
tuition which forbids any distinction on &C
count of race, color, or previous condition
of servitude. That the American posi-.
ton was more just and honorable is mani.
fest. Again, the British Government re.
coded from portion OF its demand, while
the American Government secured all it
claimed Still again, the British Govern.
ment agrees TO return any unclaimed
amounts, while the American Government
makes no such condition.
The Albany EUeniRg Journal. abiding
to this subject, says Secretary Fish has
Conducted the negotiation with the adj.
mirable discretion, skill and ilrmness
which have distinguished his whole id.
ministration Of the State Department,
"and has achieved Il success which Is as
"crcdltablc to himself as Il Is honorable to
/" the Government. The VIrglnIus affair
presented most difficult and delicate
case. We all remember the doubt and
"pcrplcXltY which prevailed In the public
" mind Of tho time. There were differ.
" cnces Of opinion as 10 our rights and our
duty. We had q proud and sensitive
" Government 10 deal with. In all OF It's
aspects, II presented serious and com.
"pllCatcd question, But Secretary Fish
" has managed Il from beginning TO end
with the most signal wisdom, and has
q HddCd new lustro to American diplomacy
land craftsmanship. Every American
" can contemplate this settlement with
" honorable pride.
But the end Is not yet. The substantial
cause Of the unfortunate YIrginlus affair
was not altogether resultant from natural
American sympathy with tho insurgents,
but arose In part from discriminating Gus.
IONS duties, imposed for the evident pur.
pose OF rctnrding the advancement Of close
commercial relations between the United
States and the Island of Cuba. To remove
this just cause Of complaint our Govern.
ncnt has instructed Minister Cushing to
open negotiations for new commercial
treaty, the completion of which will enable
Americans 10 compete on fair and equitable
eTms with the citizens of other nations in
llspOsing Of their products and manufac.
lures in the markets of the Island. There
may be reason to doubt the success of this
negotiation; but it does not appear at the
inception so discouraging as the Virginius
case, and should it be concluded, as we
hope it will be, the country will
have additional reason TO be proud of, and
grateful to, the Administration of President
IiraUt