The New York herald., 1876-01-18

THE WASHINGTON NOTE or NOVEMBER LAST TO
THE EUROPEAN oovERSA6ESrs. AND THEIR
REsroNsE-FExLNo OF THE LEADrSo DKNo-
Gratis IN THE HOUSE ON our RELATIONS
WITH SPAIN.
It is understood that Secretary Fish this morning
communicated to the Senate Foreign Relations Com
mttee the note sent to the European Powers last No
vember concerning Cuban Affairs. In this noto Il Is
believed the long duration and slow progress OF the
strife in Cuba rocited the useessncss OF the blood
shed and devastation pointed and the apparent,
and indeed evident ncapacity ofSpain quiet by
such means she had used and using, was
asserted The delicate and difficult position OF the
United States with prolonged and furious struggle
raging on her borders, was made manifest The strong
est assurances given that this government does
desire the island and that the President
would regard such event not merely undesirable,
but calamity, and that he wished to take steps
looking toward such conclusion interfering with
Spain's possession OF the island but that raging
our borders could not but disturb and put us
to Inconvenience the struggle In Cuba
also, though in less measure, dis
turbing and inconvenencing the principal European
Powers. II suggested that II these felt inclined
they would do wisely to represent to Spain their
opinion OF the situation, and the necessity, in their
Judgment of taking practical and positive for
the pacihcation of Cuba general expression Of such
belief by the principal European governments would
II was believed have good effect in Madrid in induc
ing the Spanish government to adopt better and pacific
policy in the island.
Our Ministers instructed TO read this note to the
Foreign Ministers of Great Britain Germany, France
Russia and Austria The responses of these govern
ments have been received In reply it is said
that they acknowledge the justice of the repre-
sentations made by this government; that they be-
eve the United States to have acted with very great
patience and entire good faith toward Spain in a very
difficult position, and that the that this gov
ernmcnt has selfish ends in view is entirely sats-
factory and has been shown by its toward
Spain. Austria, having difficulties OF hor own,
for that and other declines to take
any part any representations which may be made
Spain. All the others, 1t is understood proposed to
instruct their representatives in Madrid at once to
urge upon the Spanish government the necessity of
quickly ending the All understood to have
declined any interference except such diplomatic
representations and in the from this government
thoy expressly told that only such representa-
tions suggested desired by the United States.
II Is understood that Great Britain acted most
promptly, her Minister, Mr. Layard, having
been at once instructed to communicate to the
Spanish Minister Of Foreign Affairs the regret
OF Great Britain that the Cuban struggle seemed ap
proach conclusion aud the opinion that IL was nee
essary to bring it to close very soon. The other
European governments, except Austria, understood
to have made similar representations, and in some
cases. 1t is believed they have been accompanied with
expressions of desire for the settlement of their
unsettled CLAIMS against Spain and with request for
better condition Of police and custom house manage
ment the Spanish coast
II Is TO these representations and appeals that the
Spanish government has now, it is supposed, replied
in note the tenor OF which given in the HERALD OF
Sunday Expressions of opinion various here
about this reply Of Spain. There is clearly dis
position among the party leaders either side to
favor a war with Spain. The democrats see in such an
event only great political advantage to their oppo
nents The republican leaders fear that in the hurly
burly OF war the third term may carry the
day. II is said however, that the Spanish reply
is transparontly weak in several points When, for
instance Spain complains that shores the ref
uge of Cuban outlaws it is replied that this is one
serious reason why want the war closed II puts
us to trouble and expense maintain our proper
course toward SPAN. Again, II this country has no
commerce. the reply that will be subject the less
injury by Again, 1t is asserted that our com
merce with Cuba suffered largely as official Stats
tics show.
II is also said by persons who have learned the
tenor OF the replies by European governments the
note Of this government that Span finds herself iso-
lated and without in Europe and that this
important fact brought out by Secretary Fshs note,
have its effect upon her and her adopt
policy in Cuba which will bring the TO a close.
The democrats, who have waited for a message from
the President to-day in the House passed resolution
asking for the correspondence with Spain They
say that they have waited long enough; that the
President has gone far the House
10 willing to let him, and that |, means
qure him to tell thcm and the country the
dltlon OF our relations with Spain. Mr. Randall says
the President may be drifting the country into
without sufficient reason and that, while the House is
patriotic enough to support which is for the in
terest honor Of the country does not want to be
entrapped into hosttes and find itself suddenly called
upon TO defray the cost of a war AFTER hosttes have
begun The House wants TO and means TO be informed
Of what is going on. Speaker Kerr says he knows
OF no sentiment in the House which would
countenanoe a war with Spain except upon the
most manifest necessity that would allow such
on any pretext except for causes fully known and un
derstood beforehand by the House and the country
He believes that the sentiment Of the House is nearly
unanimous to the effect that supreme policy must
be peace with all nations that above all things the
country now desires no more strife.
Mr.. Morrison, Chairman of the Ways and Means con-
ours fully these sentiments and opinions and this
the opinion Of all the leading democrats
curious fact comes out here to-day in conversation
on this subjectnamey that in 1924 only year after
the announcement OF what is known as the Monroe
doctrine, the United States asked the mediation OF
Russia with Spain procure a cessation OF the
which Spain then making against her South
American colonies This precedent has, it is believed,
been strictly followed by Secretary Fish his OF
November