New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-05

conciliatory, and in the right diplomatic tone.
This last counts for much here, where form is
reckoned hardly less important than substance
II is noted also that Mr.. Blaine while declaring
with dignity that the Government of the United
States will not permit itself to lie unduly hurried
does not himself show undue haste in resenting
the recall OF the Italian Minister or in retorting
by the immediate summons of the American Minis
ter at Rome. He waits. as he can afford TO wait.
Italy is allowed season of repentance. but it is
assumed by diplomatists abroad that the season
VIII he brief. and that Mr.. Porter will soon ask
for his passports unless Baron Fava dispenses with
his.
Perverse as the European view is of the the
oreucal question, the practical view is sensible
enough Nobody outside of the Italian Peninsula
imagines that the two countries are going to war.
1t is not believed either by the general public
or in diplomatic circles that any very serious or
prolonged rupture between Italy and the
United States is to be feared. Admitting that
Italy has claim to concern herself about the
fate of couple of Italian cutthroats on the
banks OF the Mississippi, they still unable to
conceive that advisers of The King would carry
their remonstranoes beyond the purely diplomatic
stage. They do believe that necessities of do
mestio politics at home have had much TO do with
pushing the dispute to the present point.
1t is more truly struggle between the MARQUIS
di Rudini and Signor Crispi than between Italy
and America. But 1t is felt in Europe-even Italy
feels-that it is impossible compromise the great
interests which the two countries have in common
for the sake of claims which are either fanciful
or, at least, based on conception of political
solidarity between New-Orleans and Washington
that has no existence in fact or in law. There
are people who discuss in pure lightness of heart
the probable seaworthineSs of the Italian ironclads
for an Atlantic voyage and the probable defensible-
ness of the American coasts. BY way of giving
ala and comfort TO our Italian friends, some
busybody has cabled an opinion attributed to
Secretary Tracy that there was nothing to pre-
vent the Duilio from sailing up the North River,
destroying railway bridges and bombarding New
York. will not assume that he ever expressed
such an opinion, but ] will quote what that able
officer, the late Admiral Nicholson, said to me
years ago-it was in 1882. on his return from
AleXandria-on that subject. He took no part
In the naval scare then prevailing
We have, he said, the best naval school and
naval staff in the world. True, we had no ships,
and we have neither ships nor guns now, sup
pose but the newest Ship he said, becomes obso-
lete in five years, and there was no reason why
we should enter upon that competition in iron
clads which was crushing the finances of the
naval Powers Of Europe. We had no need for a
navy, save for defence, and the defence of the
future was torpedoes. They talk, continued
this gallant American seaman, of a British feet
sailing into New-YorlI Harbor and levying ransom
destroying the city. Ny word for it, no British
fleet could get into New-Yorl1 HarbOr, or, il it
did, it would never get out" That, perhaps, is
as good an opinion as another. G. w. S.