Year: 1875

The Washington despatch to the Tribune OF the
10th speaks of the war rumors as follows:


"Orders were given at the Navy Departmchs
Yesterday and to-day. for the immediate fitting
out of three vessels of war. This, and the TACT
made known by recent dispatches from SPAN, and
by vague hints given out in diplomatic circles here,
that negotiation are now III progress between MIN
lister Gushing and the Government at Madrld d. IN
relation to the provisions of the treaty OF li9o,
have been the occasion of many wild rumors
touching the mutual relations of the two ma
tions. These rumors have been seized upon and
exaggerated by members Of the Cuban bond ring,
until if one half Of them were worthy OF credit,
there would be reason TO fear that we are even
now on the eve of a war with Spain. There Is no
doubt that it has long been the desire OF our gov
ernment TO secure modification OF the treaty oil
1895, and especially to repeal certain sections OF it,
which are very onerous upon the Cnited states,
and have been omitted from all recent treaties
with foreign powers. 1t is well known, also, that
Minister Cushing, before his departure Tor Spain,
discussed this subject freely in conversation with
friends, and expressed the hope that one result OF
his mission might be to bring the Spanish Gov
einment to consent 10 these changes in the treaty.
While, therefore, the terms of the note of tae
United States, which has recently been discussed
by the Spanish Cabinet, have not been given to
the public, il is inferred, from what IS known of
our own policy in regard to this subject, and from
the character Of SPANS reported answer, that 1t
related chiefly, if not wholly, to the desired change


in the treaty, and that it did not treat of the war
that has so long been in progress in Cuba.


An exciting article on relations between the
United States and Spain, which appeared in the
The London Times of Nov. 3, caused consdera-
BILE discussion here to-day. 1t is proper to say
that that article was based on wholly mistaken
idea of the character of the diplomatic note Of
the United States to Spain. so-called semi
official" dispatch was sent out from W Washington
to the press of the country, and telegraphed to
Europe just previous to the publication Of that
article, which purported to give at some length a
statement of tue attitude of the United States to-
wa,d Spain, and while it did not say that the poll
cy there cnuncated had been officially announced
to Spain in the diplomatic note in question,
the existence Of which had just been learned, the
natural inference to be dcriyered from the whole
dispatch to that effect. But it turned out that
this .'semi official" statement wholly derived
from Secrary Fish's letter Of instructions to Min
lister Cushing, on his departure for Spain, which
was first printed in the Tribune about year ago.
After its publication, it officially explained
that this letter did not foreshadow any change OF
policy toward Spain and Cuba, but was simply a
statement of the way in which the President had
for long time looked upon the relations of the
two nations


of course it is impossible to foreel what com
plicatons may yet grow out of the chronic troubles
in Cuba, but persons in Washington, who are very
well informed, see no more reason at present to
fear any serious trouble than there has been Tor
tine last six seven years, except that every year
the present condition of affairs continues it be-
comes greater strain ON our patience; and they
do not believe that there W i'll be speedy rccognl-
ton of Cuba as bclligerent. The provisions of the
treaty of 1875 give Spain the right 10 search
American merchant vessels for contraband arti-
eles, whenever such recognition takes place, an
dignity which it would be very hard for Ameri-
can citizens to bear, 1t should also be remem-
bered that Congress alone can declare war with a
foreign power, and that after the meeting of that
body it would be almost impossible for the Presi-
dent, even if he were so disposed, to involve us
in serious difficulties with Spain, without the as
sured support Of both Houses. The fitting out
three vessels Of Just at this time is probably or
dered for effect rather than because it is expected
that there will be any immediate use for them
One of them is in such condition that it could no,
be put on war footing in less than six months