The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-11-05
RUMORED HOSTILE ACTION or AMERICA.
Good Prospects of the Conclusion of
a New Treaty of Commerce.
THE CUBAN WAR.
Spain Making a Supreme Effort
to Crush the Rebels.
AID FROM THE HERALD WANTED.

AID FROM THE HERALD WANTED.
MADRID, Oct II, 1877.
statement made by the Washington correspond
ent OF OF the Madrid papers to the effect that the
American government had issued the 7th OF Octo-
Der q decree imposing an extraordinary dTerontal
eharge of Atty cents per ton all Spanish vessels
entering ports Of the United States has created
siderable excitement here among Spanish merchants
The PRESS too, is rather excited and formulates de-
mands for retalistory measures. Whom the
published naturally created good deal of surprise,
as 1t is pretty well known that the present govern
mont has shown most friendly spirit in ITS dealings
with the United States and seems sincerely anx.
lous to place the relations Of the two countries
on such basis as will eTectually remove all excuse
for discomfort Not less surprised than the spaniards
At the reported action of the Washington government
tho representative OF the HKRALD called the Min
ster Of State Senior svela, request forma-
on about the which might be supposed to have
Induced the government Of the United States adopt
line of conduct 80 unusual and SO unfrendy. The
correspondent found Minister in study hard at
work with senor Prendergast, the head Of tho State
Department Though evidently very busy Senior Sill
vela put aside his work and welcomed the HERALD
representative with warmth and good will
THREE LUCKY EDITORS.
sehor silvela began by sayng:-"It always gives me
great pleasure TO meet with representatives OF the
press especially with gentlemen connected with such
great and influential journals the HERALD the more
SO because In the beginning of my was myself
ajournalist In with two other gentlemen
edited the Dsario Espahol-a very small Journal TO
be sure, compared to the great newspaper repre-
sent Ono Of my old collaborateurs also in the Min.
istry and the other is Minister Vienna So you see
II Is natural that should take interest Journal
lists" This said easy off hand man ner and
at once set the at Having thanked
che Minister for his kind reception tho correspondent
explained that the immediate object Of his visit was
TO learn the Of the Minister Of State Oh the ru
mored imposition OF diferential duty on Spanish
chipping entering American ports
Tho Minister replsd:-.I astonished that the
American should have taken SO unfrendly
step; the more that received no official in
formation from Minister IN Washington or from
Mr.. Lowell, who, OF course, was not compelled to
communicate tho TACT TO me unless directed by his
government But cannot understand how Sefior
Mantilia, our Minister In Washington, who Is very
active and intelligent, should have allowed decree 90
deeply affecting the interests OF Spain to escape him.
Indeed think II most unlikely that he should do So
and therefore inclined to doubt the correctness OF
the statement which has appeared In tho Madrid
papers. II may be that there rumor in circula
ton 10 the cfcct that tho government intended to
adopt such measure and that some journalist as
sumod that tho decree had been already issued and
sent the news TO Madrid have already sont a tele-
gram to Washington to inquire whether not such
decree has been issued and the reply comes
shall inform you. Wo can then have another con
terencen
PowER RETALIATION.
CoRREsPoyDRsr-It appeared strange and unlikely
TO mo that our government should have adopted SO
maintain such friendly relations.
MINISTER OF srArE-I confess that cannos under
stand why your government should adopt measure
that would nnlct great injury restricted CON-
mercc l excellent terms with Mr.. Lowell,
who Is a charming gentlemen and very Intelligent
The imposition OF direrontal duty on Spanish ship
ping would, Of course. do u great deal OF harm;
but We have II In our power also to inct consider.
able injury on American shipping by the imposition
Of retaatory duties. Il appears TO me, however,
boys trying 10 do each other harm BY our laws |
could within twenty four hours establish o Dir
fercntial tax on ali American ships trading
TO Spanish ports; but even should II provo
true that your government has imposed tho ex-
traordinary tax, AZ alleged, would sec Mr.
Lowell, and make representations through our Min
istor Washington and in fact exhaust every means
before adopting measures OF retaliation because feel
mutual injury would be the only result OF such
sonsecss policy. Besides, | am by conviction q FREQ
trader but recognize that In the present condition
Of SPAN tn numerous interests which m ust be
protected Only whom all efforts to effect an accom-
mediation BY reasonable means had failed would
consent a. last TO measures Of retaliation
Measures Of this nature always impoi,c, because
they only servo embtter the minds of The parties
TO the controversy and render dlncult reason
able and amicabls arrangement OF the original dif.
nculty.
CoaREsroNDEsr--pubc opinion In the Uaitcd statos
10 In favor Of maintaining friendly relations with
Spain. There are. of course, some exceptions; out
ths vast majority Of the population desires psacs-