The New York herald., 1877-11-18

CARRYING on has led TO the adoption OF special Gus
toms laws Tor both Antilles completely distinct from
is terminated, as we hope 1t will be within very
su ort time, aud that province enters into normal
life, the government win be IN position 70 reform
the taria laws at present IN lorce there As
soon as the war is over tho Spanish merchants Will
urge the government 10 effect this tarid reform, be-
Is generally admitted thar the present restrlc-
tive sy IN OF exaggerated protection is neither cal
cuatea 20 advance the interests OF the island
encourage good relations with the nations Of the new
continent"
COMMERCIAL TREATIES.
This interview gives very lair idea OF the opinions
held by majority oil intelligent Spaniards
trouble thai has arisen out Of the November Treas
ury circular Just now tho public mind is occupied
with the general question OF the commercial relations
OF Spain. New treaties are in course OF negotiation
with France aud England. The Spaniards. too are
anxious Tor satisfactory settlement OF these ques-
tons, but, If may judge from the OF the press,
they resolved not 10 grant any privileges without
obtaining equivalent advantages lhe truth Is, Spain
feels herself strong IN spite OF her bankrupt ex-
cnequer, and resolved not 10 allow herself W be
plotted by foreigners any longer. England has been
first feel the practical result Of the ideas
that are growing uD in the Peninsula.
BRINGING ENGLAND TO TERMS.
Some years ago, when negotiating The commercial
standard Tor the admission OF wines, which
practically excluded the cheaper Spanish wines
French VINE trade Year after year the spanish gov
ernment made representations al London without
effect but this year English manufactures were sub
ected 10 enormous dlerential tax which prac-
tically excludes them from the spanish markets. As
result the English government preparing TO alter
the alcoholic scale 10 admit the spanish wines 10
more equal competition with the French The most
unpleasant feature OF Tho Treasury circular a tnat
has created the opinion here that the United States
about withdraw that blunderng measure, not from
OF justice, but in lear OF the retaatory mea-
sures threatened against our shipping. The demand
OF government for guarantees on this point OF
course strengthens this opnion when, In fact, this
demand have before explained is only biunder-
ing fort 10 cover up somewhat ingorious retreat.
IL would however, have been better tor the good rep
utaton OF our government and Tor the honor OF the
American Republic to have honestly confessed the
error committed and to have al once made amends by
suspending or recalling the obnoxious decroe.
SPANISH ART
Arrangements have been made with the Spanish
artists TO hold preliminary exhibition here In Madrid
oil the works intended 10 be sent to the Paris ExhD
tion year. Nearly all The new school of Spanish
painters will be represented, as they IN great
measure Indebted TO the government for their success.
IL the credit OF the Spanish government that amid
all the turmoil OF civil war anu witn the difficulties III
scparabe from an empty treasury money isyeariy de-
voted to the support ana encouragement OF promising
art students Is TO this generosity that Spain owes
such names as Fortuny, Madraso Zamaoois. Ximenez,
whose genius In these latter DAYS has done much
elevate Spain in tho esteem and consideration Of the
world.
/. THE CUBAN RESURRECTION
The capture OF Thomas Estrada, President of the
Cuoan Republic, has SO eIated Tie authorities here
that they talk as II the war In Cuba were at end.
Evidently they forget that the death OF Cespedes and
Agramonte who were far more influential and impor
tau figures in the insurrection JAILED to put end
to The war; However, there doubt that the
operations of the troops under General Campos arc
carried on with moro intelligence and success than at
any previous period vi the In TACT, there for
the FIRST time serious effort being made TO put down
the insurrection, which IN all probability VIII be
cessul. The war has continued up to the present
chiefly because the generals did not want 10
bring 1t to an end, for the insurgents have
been so overwhelmingly overmalched that
even their forests and mountains could not have
protected them from really energetic general II Is
to the credit OF the Spanish government that 1t aims
at being generous In It's hour triumph, and already
a proclamation has been issued restoring TO such
rebels as wish to sure nder or make submission their
contscated properly. In tho case OF the captured
President he viii be sent Spain, where least his
lie will be safe, and doubt soon as the complete
paccaton OF CuUa has been effected he will be set at
liberty. General Calixto Garcia, who commanded
the forces Of the Eastern Department when the HERALD
correspondent visited Cuba in search oi Cesped,s,
ID now prisoner in the north Of Spain. He
Kept in prison In Madrid lor somo time
and we'll treated, but owing TO some
plans Of escape being discovered
fortress in the north OF Spain where my old friend
was kept In close confinement His health is SAID to
be giving way ana lears are entertained that unless
the government viii consent TO treat him with
enency he Will be added TO the long roll Of victims of
a most unfortunate ins urreotion.
RECONSTRUCTION.
Among the measures whicn the government pro-
pose 10 take IN regard 10 Cuba Is tho establishment
oi military colonies throughout the island, which
would be at once the cheapest and most effective way
81 dealing with the usurrecion. In addition Ito
Will be introduced TO restock the farms OF Camaguey
and Hoigun. Measures will also be taken TO indem-
niiy the loyal spanards who lost tncir prop
programme has been put into operation
hoped that the "Pear of the Antiles will be on
the iaIr way TO renewed prosperity. The program
certainly looks well on paper and shows at least that
The Spanish government IS not wanting In the n
stlncis OF sound staesmanshp, but how to carry
this generous programme with an empty treasury is
u problem not easily solved. However, the govern.
these measures into practice, SO we must leave II
time TO disclose ny what magic 1t intends 10 work.