New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-09-06
EIrPPr ~ FrRnpE

The German Chancellor Il not 10 Dc cAueht
nappng by so secOndrate Power ~ Spain.
He gave orders 10 the commander of his fleet
IN the South Seas 10 send a gunboat to the
Caroline Islands and to hoist the flag
without a moments delay. The Spanish
officials from the Philippines arrived
in war vessels at the most important
island of the group three days in advance OF
the gunboat but neglected either to take
formal possession or 10 station a garrison
there. The German flag was raised by
body Of marines as soon as the gunbont cast
anchor The commander had received his
orders and obeyed them, allowing Prince
Bismarck to look after the diplomacy
of the case. The Spanish officials
entered an energetic protest against the
occupation, but being uncertain how
Ear they would be sustained by the action Of
the home Government, telcgraphed to Madrid
for instructions, leaving Germany with an in
fcrior force in actual possession.
The reply Of the Spanish Government is con-
elusive so far as it expresses dissatisfaction with
the course adopted by the commanders.
They arc promptly dismissed for neglecting to
land marines and to raise the Spanish
dag as soon as they reached the group. But
this proceeding willie characteristic OF the cX-
citable Spanish temperament. is neither logical
in its application nor definite as a forecast OF
future diplomacy. 1t is not logical because 1t
is a confession that there is some flaw in the
Spanish title TO the islands which Icn-
dcred immediate occupation necessary.
If the CarOlincs have been Spanish territory,
like the Philippines, from the sixteenth cen
fury, il would have been an Idle ceremony to
raise the flag at zap. As a matter of fact, there
has never been an actual occupation of the
group, and the German flag is in advance of
that Of any other European Power. The angry
removal of the Spanish commanders is virtually
an admission that the formalitcs of proclaim
ing the sovereignty of the home Government
have been neglected, and that Germany has
good case for either war or arbitration. Which
alternative will be preferred is not yet dis
closed. The removal Of the commanders is
a frantic effort to appease Spanish feeling,
and conveys no intimatiOn respecting future
policy. But 1t would be fatuous TO conclude
that 50 weak and morbund a monarchy a.
Spain will deliberately go to war with the
strongest military empire in Europe for the
sake of few coral reefs tcnantcd by Malay
fishermen. There may be a fortnight of angry
and clustering diplomacy but arbitration will
finally intervene and Germany's insignificant
commercial conquest will be duly sanctioned.
The excitement meanwhile has risen to TO er
heat in Madrid. A mob has attacked the Ger
man Embassy and burned the Imperial coat of
arms in the streets. These insults will natur-
ally be resented by the German Government,
and If the police are unable or unwilling to
protect the members OF the Embassy
from murderOus assaults, serious consequences
are to be apprehended. The Spaniards have
all the frailtics of Southern blood. They are
passionate in their rescntments, easily inhamed
with excitement, and both cruel and
thOughtless in their wrath. The anne
mob that was threatening to burn the
German Embassy and shouting "Yive
la France" not long ago was in hot rage be-
cause King Alfonso had been aflronted in
Paris on account of the civlity shown to
him by the German court. There Is
no public opinion in Europe so capricious
and so irresolute as that in Spain
Steadincss of purpose and continuity.of action
are not to be expected from a people whose
middle classes are incapable of fulfilling their
political functions. Warike as the news seems
on the surface, with the Liberal group
recommending aggressive measures and rioters
revealing in excitement, il is altogether prob
able that there will be diplomatic adjustment.
The attack on the Embassy is an ample offset
to any arbitrary measures which may have
been adopted by Germany in the Carolines