Year: 1871

CertaIn journals are cndcavOrng, for rca-
sons doubtless satisfactory to themselves, to
create the impression that war is imminent
between the United States and Spain. The
principle evidence brought forward to sustain
this theory is the visit of Gen. Sicklcs to this
country. TIE TKIBUh. has not left its read
ers in ignorance Of the just cause of COM
plant which orr Government has against the
Spanish. Tho wrongs against American citi-
zcns in Cuba which remain unlcdrcsscd by
the authorities of Havana and the Cabinet of
Madrid have been set forth at length in these
columns. They are gross and intOlcrabIe.
They are asserted to be so by our State De-
partment and they are virtually admitted to
he so by the Department of Foreign
Affairs in Madrid. A Joint Commission
for the consideration and settlement of claims
arising under these Outragcs has been ncgO-
tiated by Gen. Sickles at Madrid. The Gov
cInmcnt of King Amadeus shows marked
anxiety to arrange harmoniously every cause
of difference with the United States, just as
the Prim Government did, under the regency
of Marshal Scrrano The fatal point at which
all diplomacy breaks down is. that Spain has
ceased to exercise any authority in Cuba. 1t Is
as useless to make treaties and conventions
about matters in the Antilles with Spain, as it
would be to make Il treaty with Queen Victoria
about Massachusetts, because her ancestors
once reigncd over that territory. A power not
recognized by the civilized nations of the
earth now rules the Island of Cuba, and merely
uses the Spanish arm to assist it in its arbi-
trary work.


This is all true, but il is no more true than it
| was last year. There is no cOnjuncture calling
for the especial action of our Government
more than there has been at any time since
the insurrcctiOn of Yara Gen. Sickles has not
come home with any warlike message. What
we have stated of his work and his intentions
is literally true. He is here short leave
of absence, to introduce his bride to her new
family and friends, and to aid as far as possible
with his cOunsels and assistance in the meas
ures now taking to break up the Erie Ring OF
course, the full and INTEL gent accounts which he


is able to give to tho Secretary of State of
the condition of things in Madrid, of the drift
of public opinion, and the attitude OF the
King and Ministry in regard to American
questions will be interesting and valuable
But there is nothing so urgent or mOmentOus
as a probable war in his portfolio, and the
best proof of that is that he is spending lis
Christmas holidays quietly in New-York in
stead of hurying on to Washington.


No good can result from these exaggerated
statements. We do not say that a collision
between us and Spain in the Antilles is i'm
possible. There are calamities as bad as war,
and the worst of them all is for nation to
forget so far it's widest interests and its self
respect as to submit uncOmplainingly to in
suit and outrage. In some way or other the
must be taken in hand by civilization.
We gricvously doubt whether it is pos
sible for Spain to apply the proper rem
edy Our dispatches this morning announce
that Admiral TOpetc, the new Minister Of the
Colonies, means to reOrganize the Volunteers.
New troops are to be sent to suppress the
rebellion, and those amlable gentlemen in
Madrid evidently believe that they can disarm
with them the Volunteers. at the proper time
We cannot share this lively faith. The Span
ish troops will fraternize with Yalmaseda's
bandits just as their predecessors have DONE
The question for our Government to decide
is at what point it shall conclude that Spain
has had sufficient indulgence in her effort to
restore authority and order in tho island.
Nothing in the present situation Of affairs,
nothing in the political necessities Of tho Adj
ministratOn. would indicate that this moment
of decision is at hand. There is certainly no
warrant in the visit of Gen. Sickles for any
representations of immediate war.





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