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Show WHAT'S THE RUMPUS 1 So far as tho relations between Spain aiid this government .ore concerned con-cerned there seems to be no ascertainable ascer-tainable facts to account for (.lie great naval preparations now going on, though there are many rumors in regard re-gard to some possible point of diplomatic diplo-matic dispute. It is not believed, however, that there is any question connected with treaty stipulations ihat ii beyond the reach of easy negotiation. nego-tiation. Spain, it is admitted, has conceded certain points in reference to the rights of American citizens resident in Cuba, and it is rumored, has agreed to fully cany out the Viryinius protocol by proceeding to try and punish Buiriell, the inhuman butcher of Americans. While wo may have sufficient reason on general gen-eral principles to inteifere actively in Cuban affairs, such action would he inconiistent with the settled policy of Secretary Fish and cannot be anticipated. antici-pated. It is well known, however, that the prehident has long been dissatisfied dis-satisfied with the continued failure o! Spain to quell the Cuban insurrection, which commenced during the administration ad-ministration of hia predecessor, and has maintained itself with increasing force during seven years a period equal to that ol the revolution which ended in the acknowledgement of the independence indepen-dence of the United States by Great Britain. In view of thiB fact, the president might with obvious propriety, pro-priety, and in accordance with the practice, precedents and ancient theory the-ory of our government, recommend to congresa the recognition of the belligerency bel-ligerency of the Cuban patriots, which measure, though it would not in itself it-self be deciaivo of their struggle against Spain, could not fail to be of the greatest importance in a moral point of view, not only as an encouragement encour-agement to the insurgents, but as an indication of a policy that would likely be followed by European na-tions. na-tions. There is one serious obstacle to this recognition on our part, growing grow-ing out of the position of the government govern-ment of the United States during the late civil war, in opposition to the recognition of the southern confederacy confede-racy by the European governments. But the two cases aro not parallel or similar; our position in 1SG1-2 could not be logically imitated by Spain against the recognition of the Cubans at Ibis time. But the recognition of the Cubans as belligerents could hardly bo viewed by Spain as a casus belli, and why Bhould our government deem it necessary neces-sary to make warlike preparations upon this contingency? There is an important clause in an existing treaty between the United States and Spain, which allows the cruisers of the belligerent belli-gerent country in timo of war to search all vessels bearing the flag of the other nation. Should the United States recognize the Cubans as belligerents belli-gerents the state of war would be acknowledged ac-knowledged between Spain and the de facto Cuban government, and the former might claim the right to visit and examine American merchant vessels. This right of search has always been a delicate point with tho people of this country, and its exer-ciso exer-ciso by Spain could hardly fail to lead to a state of feeling that might culminate in serious difficulties, requiring re-quiring the active interference of our navy, and in. this field it is conceded that Spain has the advantage- o( us, j her war fleet being superior in quality if not in quantity to tho American navy. If this is not the correct solution of tho present naval preparations, then there must bo something far more serious and threatening in our foreign relations than is known to tho country; coun-try; but with the exception of the Mexican border troubles there appears ap-pears to bo no war cloud on our horizon, save that arising from Spain, and Secretary 1'ish and Caleb Gushing aro two wilcy old diplomats, who will not allow General Grant to repeat his H.in Domingo faux pas whilo they ro-tain ro-tain tho control of Aincrico-Spaiiih diplomacy. Clearly, Cuhau recognition ia tho card, and lively times may bo looked for in Washington this winter. LIFE INSURANCE. , The New York Times calls attention atten-tion to the downward tendency of the life insurance businesp, which has been going on since 1871; but with the diminution of the receipts of the companies, there has been no decrease de-crease in the working expenses. Exorbitant official salaries, monstrous charges of various kinds to the expense ex-pense account, and excessive, commissions com-missions to agents aro still maintained, main-tained, while a very large pr oportion of tho people who agree to pay lifo insurance companies certain annual premiums for the remainderof their natural lives, withdraw from their contracts after having paid the first nrfimimn. There is no longer a general public confidence in life insurance. in-surance. Wo are glad that public attention is being called to this extravagant extra-vagant and wasteful system, which has been too long ignored by the press. Instead of a cheap and beneficent benefi-cent institution, which it ought to bo, life insurance is regarded by a large and increasing class of persons with disfavor, owing to its unwarranted expense in obtaining business, caused by the great competition and rivalry of various companies. People are now turning to savings banks, as giving them larger returns at cheaper rates than life insurance policies, enabling them also to control their investments at all times. Hence the business of life insurance has largely fallen off, and will continue to fall of! until it is shorn of its speculative features fea-tures and extravagant management. |