New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-20
GRANTS POLICY TOWARD SPAIN.


LIEF OF EMINENT POLITICIANS THAT He INTENDS
TO BRING ABOUT WAR TO SECURE HIS RE-BLEC-
TToN-POwERLEssNEss OF CONGRESS TO PREVENT
THE COUNTRY BEING INVOLVED IN A WAR.
lFHoM A REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRIBUNEI
WASHINGTON Jan. IA widespread apprehension
exists among leading men in both parties that the
Administration will involve the country in war
with Spain before the current year ends The dlplo
matte situation is such that the President can at
aay time change our attitude toward the Madrid
Government from one Of profound friendship to one
Of menace if not Of open hostility. He can, if he
desires, crowd the Spanish Cabinet into position
where it must either answer threat by threat or
exhibit weakness and cowardice that would be fatal
TO it's popularity at home. UnQuestionably the
conspirators who have just placed the youthful
son of Isabella the throne would choose the alter
native Of buster if not of actual war; rather than
risk the almost certain destruction of the restored
monarchy, which would follow in case they yielded
10 demands made in an imperative tone. Prudence
weuld lead them to shrink from any steps which
might lead to a contest in which final victory would
10 impossible for SPAIN were II not for their dread
of the tickle Spanish populace and sodiery. As long
as a war should continue, Alfonso would be sure of
his throne and his ministers Of their portfolios, and
an opportunity for pluDdering the treasury for a
year or two is all that any government expects now
sdays at Madrid. The motive which it Is feared
will lead the President to embroil with Spain
that declaration Of war by Congress VIII follow as
a necessitv. is well known Two words express it
fuly-Thlrd Term. No party ever went out OF
power while wagng q successful war, and the pop
ular repugnance to prolonging Grants Administra-
ton would he is said to believe, die amid the clash
of arms in Cuba
APPREHENSION OF CONGRESSMEN.
For the past year the Democrats have claimed that
Grant Nursing our quarrel with Spain to Keep 1t
warm until it could be blown into flame to serve
his third term ambition. 1t is not to be wondered
Of that they still hold to this opinion. What is sur
prsing is that so many Republican leaders who are
10 some extent in the confidence, If not OF the Pres-
dent at least of his Cabinet share this appre-
tension A Republican Of great influence as party
leader and of sufficient prominence TO be occasion
ally mentioned as possible successor to the Pres
dency, sand. q few days ago, that the Cuban ques-
tion was Grants trump card. which he would soon
play no matter at what cost TO the country. eff
YOU look at the history Of diplomatic dealings
with Spain during the pasI two years and especially
since the Virguus affair."" he said you will find the
key TO all the curious enigmas presents IN this dom
inant idea in Grants mindthe continued possession
of the Presidency. Why were our claims on account
of the Virginius massacre not promptly pressed to
settlement like those of England Because it was
too early to affect the Presidential campaign Of
1876. Why was Cushing sent abroad with instruc-
tions which will warrant him in bullying the Madrid
Government whenever he gets the word from Wash
iueton and why were those instructions kept
profound secret for nearly year Plainly there
has been plan, we'll devised and well carried ont,
TO keep alive our grievance until the time comes for
action"
The gentleman to whom this conversation was sd-
"A. I ha frU4 Mt he
wants to fight SPAIN how he going aboutlti Con-
gress adjourns in slx weeks, and there can be no
declaration of war except by joint resolution passed
by both Houses"
Just so, but there can be state of actual hosti
ties before Congress meets, which will make q dec
laratiOn of war a mere necessary fornality. The
Mexican war began that way. private note from
the Secretary of the Navy TO the commander of one
of our ships of war in Cuban waters may bring on
bostilitIes. The battle Of Navarino was fought in
apparent disregard Of the instructions from the Min
istry to the Admiral commanding the British feet
His orders were very pacific, but at the end Of one
of them the Prime Minister wrote these words: Go it,
Eedl' The Admiral knew what was wanted of him,
and attacked the Turks at the first opportunity"
lis it certain that Spain would fghtp
Undoubtedly The possession Of Cuba is the
cherished fauaticism of the most fanatcal nation in
the world The Alfonso Government would have to
fight If provoked sufficiently. Otherwise it would
be hustled out of Madrid and across the Pyrenees IN
less than fortnight"
Would not the war be so unequal contest that
1t would be ended in few months"
Not 80 unequal as we ia our vanity arc wont to
suppose. Spain could injure us far more than we
could her for the first ak months The English shp-
builders would speedily supply her with score OF
Alabamas to destroy our commerce. which is just
recovering from the blow three four Confederate
cruisers gave it durisg the Rebellion. To defend
our sossts We weald hsvs TO build Largo Davy.