The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-11-25

We had hoped that with the departure" '
HAMILTON FISH from the state Department.
we had seen the last OF the trucking 10
Spain. which will be remembered as one oi
tho most disgraccful features of the GRANT
Administration.
But it seems that at tho suggestion Of the
SPANISH Minister in Washington, United
States revenue cutter has boon placed
alongside the steam yacht Estellc in the
harbor Of Bristol r. L.. and that the yachts
officers have been warned not to get up
steam under penalty of seizure.
The statement Is made that the Estelle
has been detained on the frivolous prcteXt
that abe has not yet obtained United
States certificate for her boilers. The truth
is she has been detained at the request of
the Spanish Minister. who says he has rca-
son to believe that she is to convey arms
and ammunition to Cuba.
Suppose the Minister Is right. Suppose the
Fstcllc should really attempt to convey con-
traband OF war to Cuba. Don HAMILTON
FISH, on July 10, 1869, wrote to Don LOPEZ
ROBERTS, Spanish Minister at Washington:
"Thc transportation ON the high seas, In
time OF peace of articles commonly known
NJ contraband Of war Is n legitimate traffic
and commerce, which cannot be intcrfcred
with or denounced unless 10y n power at war
with a third party, in the admitted exercise
Of the recognized rights Of belligcrent.'
Hpain denies the existence Of n state OF bel
ligerency SPANS agents are allowed to
shin arms TO Cuba monthly. For the last
nine years. all rights which Spain would
possess In time of war under the treaty OF
1895. such as the right OF OBTAINING and
searching our vessels on the high seas. and
taking from them all articles contraband OF
war, she has been allowed, to our disgrace.
10 assert in time of peace. More than this,
during the period Of Don HAMILTON FIsH's
shameful rule in the State Department, the
whole machinery Of the Government was
kept in motion for the benefit of Spain rule
In Cuba, and the crushing out of an Amcr-
can people fighting against odds Tor their
freedom.
In the case OF the steamship Florida,
which was intended to convey a cargo OF
arms and ammunition to the Cubans, its
owner, before beginning the lading OF his
vessel, received from the Hon. J. ID. Cox,
then Secretary of the Interior n letter, in
which the writer explained that he was in
ptructcd by the President, after consulta-
ton with the Cabinet, to inform him that
the shipment Of merchandise to Cubans,
even II such merchandise was coutraband
of war, was strictly legal" And yet, after
this official acknowledgment Of the legal
right to ship arms and ammunition to the
Cubans, the Florida was detained for six
months at the Brooklyn Navy Yard 10y order
Of the State Department, on absurdly friv'
Dlous pretexts trumped up 10y the Spanish
Minister. based upon pcrjurcd anidavit-
procured by Don HAMILTON fIsHs son-in
law and signed by scoundrcls whom ever
Sidney WEBSTER did not dare TO produce
Oh the trial
Russia and Turkey are at war. But thu
Secretary of State is not putting Cnite'
States revenue cutters alongside vessels II
an American port which are employed II
CARRYING arms TO these belligcrents. SPAN
Insists that she is not at war with Cuba
Very we'll, then any American citizen cai
legally ship merchandise to Cubans II
no ease can this Government be callc'
upon by Spain 10 stop n commerce rccog
nized as legitimate Playing policeman 10
a European bravo and pinionlng an Ameri
can people fighting for their rights Is not
role for the Government of the Unite
States.
II the Estelle's errand il really To carr
arms and ammunition to the Cubans W
advise her owner rs the spcedicst, mos
correct and most legal mode Of despatchin
her, to bring her to this metropolis, To max
public announcement of her destination
md To invite sympathizcr- with the cau-
,f Cuba to send their contributions q
BOARD. He will speedily get Il cargo, and "
venture to predict that there Will bc n
Toublc about getting clearance.