The New York Herald Newspaper, December 8, 1873, Page 4

4 CUBA'S CLAIMS, atari The Cuban Republic to the President of the United States. AN APPEAL FOR BELLIGERENT RIGHTS, Review of the Action of the Admin- istration Toward Cuba. ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE REVOLT Cuba Offers 100,000 Soldiers to the United States, | a —— Outrages and Excesses of the | Resident Spaniards. What the Cubans in the United States Have Done and Are Doing. ‘The Interest of ‘the United States in Its Rela- tion to the Struggle—The Cubans Only Ask a Recognition of Their Belliger- ency—An Early Termination of the War to Follow. ‘VdE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CUBAN REPUBLIC IN Forman LaNps TO His EXCELLENCY THE PRESI- DENT OF THE UNITED STATES :— Your EXCELLENCY—The representative abroad of the Cuban Republic would not break the ajlence he has so long maintained toward the government over which Your Excellency so worthily presides had not your recent high minded Message to Con- gress confirmed the hopes which have been so naturally excited that the Cuban question was at last to receive the solution demanded by the in- terest of civilization and the spirit of American | institutions, And now he would not intrude him- | self in the question of the honor of the American | people, involved by the Outrageous acts of the | Spaniards, for he has no right to do so, He can only say that the Cubans, as is their duty, will co tinue in the sacrifice ef their property | and lives upon the altar of their country, | and when at last the United States shail decide to put 4 stop to those outrages in the only possi- ble manner they will proder for this purpose 100,000 men ;in ranks and ready to receive those arms which have been so long denied them. The undersigned entertains some expectations | that, aided by the eloquent history of the past five | years, he may be able, through the reasons he may | set forth, to effect some change in the policy of the United States in the treatment of this ques- tion. He will always reject the rumors set afloat by the political enemies of the worthy Minister in charge of the Department of State. He is con- vinced, and takes pleasure 1n declaring it, that, as & gentleman and a Christian, that honorable Statesman has acted in good faith, though, per- | haps, looking at the Cuban question from a muis- | taken point of view. The gigantic struggle between the two sections | of this country and the results which followed oc- cupied the entire attention of its principal men. ‘This goverament, aiter contending from 1774 to 1781 | for independence, was compelled to struggle from | 1861 to 1865 for the liverty of all, and when the is- | sue was decided it was in accordance with justice | that the destiny of the nation should be confided to the powerlul arm which bad preserved it, assisted | by those associated with him in this work. And | yet, influenced by the ardor of the contest and en- gaged in reorganizing and reconstructing after so costly a labor, they could not pay much attention | to any other questions, or view them save through | the light of those political passions which had been developed in the great conflict. In this struggle the right of secession was maintained by the | Southern States and denied by the great majority | of the nation, As the war in Cuba broke out ina | short time after, the men engaged in the contest | here were perhaps inclined to regard the Cubans as holding the same relations to the Spanish gov- ernment that the seceded States did to the govern- ment of this Union, and looked upon them as rebeis to the mother country. To this consideration must | be added the representations of a great part of THE AMERICAN MERCHANTS residents in the Island or having business relations therewith. Their interests were identical with those of the siave-trading Spaniards who con- stituted the real Spanish government of Cuba. The commerce of the United States witu the isiand | represents more than $100,000,000 yearly, and | many of the Americans engaged init are the very | energetic, though not avowed, defenders of the | Spanish power in the island. The men in this | country who sustain this commerce necessarily | exert @ great influence, without appearing to | mingle in any political questions, and they may | have created in Washington a feeling upposed to Cuba which will prevent the question being seen | in its true light. This would explain the intimate | driendship manifested by this government toward Spain, whether represented by tue revolutionary soldiers Serrano and Prim, by King Amadeus or | by the present ephemeral r dblican government. | Hetween the interest of certain American mer- | | chants and the duty of recognizing Cuban belliger- ency the balance was inclined in favor of the former, The undersigned will endeavor to remove the erroneous impressions which are extant in tue atmosphere of Washington, and, 4s the source | of these impressions lies inconfounding the char- | acter and position of patriots with those of Uie Confederates, he will first consider that point. | THE CONFEDERATES AND THE CUBA fie would never presume to reflect upon the Neroism, valor and good faith of the men who | fought in the cause of the South, They were | Worthy enemies of tie great Northern peopie. | ‘They fell with glory. Uniortunately their cause fas that of slave labor, and their aim to weaken | a Power h required all its strength in order to accompiish the great mission assigned to it by Providence. The Cubans constituted a colony of | Spain, without political rights or rights of any kind; tue South belonged to a confederation of | free States, bound to suvmit to the decision of the greater number; the Cubans fight to abolish slavery, the South fought to preserve it; the cu- | bans desire to be aliied tothe Union, the South | only wished to be separate therefrom. To sum ap the whole matter, the South, whether wrong or otherwise, decided to establish by an appeal to | aring tie new principle of the right of a portion | of @ dation to separate from the main body; the Cubans have the long since admitted right or in- dependence belonging to every oppressed colony, | ‘48 prociaimed in 1776 by the fathers of this coun- try. They had many times asked political rights from Spain, which bad been as often denied them, and when they had jost every hope they took to the fleid, Whether they are entitied to any credit for the manner they have conducted themselves 18 @ question Dot ty be treated as idie words, as, it is feared, has been done heretofore. THE CUBAN POPULATION AND THR EFFORTS. In Cuba was formed a respectable society, aug- mented by emigration tom Florida, St. Domingo and all Spanish America, and infuenced by the | fact that @ certain market for their productions | could de found in the United States. The famiites | ‘Who there acquired wealth, not finding an oppor- | tunity of educating the 18 In @ satisfactory manner under Spanish rule, adopted the habit of Bending them to foreign Jands, and in this way, after many years, there grew up in that country a population—refmed aud cultured—in opposition to the aims and wishes of the government of Spain, sailing vessels and 40,000 rifles. as necessary to evade the Spanish blockade and not to break in any respect the neutrality laws of this country. to the searcity of resources and at others to the want of experience—natural under the circum- stances—have not always arrived at their destina> tons, of money at one time than could be obtained from private subscriptions. of raising such money—sending to sea to prey upon Spanish commerce, exchanging for funds tose products remaining within the extent of the insurgent lines and to negotiate a foreign loan, To the first was presented the obstacle that the 8 | gained the resuit which they desired they were | | may be as they would be, following the success- ation of @ loan, they have ever, to some extent, resulted in advancing the cause. ‘The patriots have never been | Wanting in fighting material, as every man | than tha materially aud morally the world with the marvels | of tricity, of steam and of liberal institutions. } land of America, this powerful nation, 4 NEW YO which bound them to the mother country proposi- tious were made to inaugurate the movement in Apri, 18¢9, at which time it was thought all the arms and necessary supplies could be obtained and properly distributed; but the intention having been discovered by the Spaniards the outbreak was anticipated by several months, and on the 10th of October of the year previous it took place, The Cubans preferred to go to the Meld without arms rather than remain aud be executed in cold blood by the Spaniards, From that moment the only question has been how to obtain arms trom abroad. The Spanish government, being well aware that the oppressed people of the great Antille had means enough to arm their forces and to create a navy, contiscated the property of a great part of them. This ‘prop- erty amounted to several hundreds of millions of dollars, as can be proved by the oficial records in Havana. This measure could not, however, pre- vent the patriots {rom buying arms, though it di- minished, to an immense extent, the revolutionary resources. By private subscriptions of Cubans only there have been purchased 14 steamers, 16 Unfortunately, as the requisite funds could not be collected rapidly, it was impossibie to appty them on as large a scale The expeditions, sometimes owing It was essential to employ a greater amount There were three methods worthy representatives of the Cuban Republic at that time did not dare to assume the responsibility, as they were made aware that the American government would not view favorably the exist- ence of Cuban privateers when it was pressing the Alabama claims. To the second existed the ob- stacle that, Cuban belligerency not being recog- nized, it was impossible to excite the spirit of gain to engage in any enterprises the object of which was to run the blockade. The third had forits | obstacle that all the European and some | American houses disposed to enter upon its Hegotiation imposed always as a sine qua non condition the previous recognition of Cuban belligerency by the United States. © equently the main object of all our diplomatic efforts has been, during @ certain time, to bring about such recognition, The Spaniards, on their part, know- ing that the in:mediate loss of the island would result from this recognition, stopped at no means to pl tits accomplishment, and withoxt doubt they have displayed herein great diplomatic y. But if on the fleld of intrigue they not equally fortunate on the field of battle. As was | natural, the greater part of the unarmed Cubans and families who were within the theatre of the war Were dispersed or sent away in the midst of the military movements. At the same time a reg ular army was formed, equipped by tne arms and | materials furnished by her successtul expeditions | aud with those taken from the enemy, which army las, during the past five years, been increasing in numbers, moraie and strength. In order to make a proper estimate of the im- portance of the war it is sufficient to refer to the omicial data collected by Mr. Sickles, the American Minister to Madrid, and sent by him to the Depart- | Ment of State. One year ago he stated that the Spanish army in Cuba had lost, during the first four years of the war, 60,000 men, and it was sup- posed that the Cuban loss bad been correspond- ingly great. Admitting that the loss, during the past year, the most bloody of ail, has been in pro- portion equally large, it will be seen that since the beginning of the war 100,000 men have perished, The loss resulting from the destruction of prop- | erty is immense. ri ALUE OF THE PRODUCTION: | which could have been controlied by the repubit- | can government of Cuba during the first months of | the War is estimated at $10,090,000. These produc. tions were afterwards lost through the military | operations which iollowed. The value of thé crops in those districts which constitute the seat of war, and which have been lost, can be estimated at $15,000,000 @ year. The stock farms, the sugar plantations destroyed and the towns reduced to asles, exteuding over ab immense area, represent an uninsured loss of $500,000,000; for it is impossi- ble to estimate at a less amount the rich and now desoiate districts of Santiago de Cuba, Guantan: mo, Bayamo, Manzanillo, Holguin, Tunas, Cama- guay and apart of Cinco Villas. And what is the most wonderiul, notwithstanding all these tm- mense losses o1 life and property, the non-recogni- tion of the belugerency of the Cubans by the United States and the supreme efforts made to suppress them by Spain, they are now, as no one will deny, Stronger than ever, and they have an army which renders nugatory all the efforts of their foes mm the field, Their hearts have been tempered until they are injustice proof. The. proceed, step by step, but with a firm determina- tion, though lamenting that the protracted task, which they are condemned by the delay in the re- cognition of their belligerency by this country, will | compel the postponement of their ingependence until the ruin of the island is complete. With tne slow but inevitable march of the cancer the libera- | ting army is encroaching upon the Spanish | dominion in the island. As time moves on this do- minion is constantly growing weaker in the midst of its furtous convulsions, while the revolution ts | constantly spreading, and the ultimate result will be to destroy in America the lgnoimiuous power of | 1 the nation of Torquemada, Alva and Burriel. The Cubans, notwithstanding the embargoes and cont ions from which they have suffered, are always enabled to raise funds among themselves, and every effort made by them to give assistance to the liberating army is always succeeded by an- other, and there i8 No possibility of a cessation of | those efforts, Those who are compelled to remain in the island under the Spanisn yoke, whatever their position fn the estimation of the | Spanish government, always contribute something to the treasury of the patriots, evading the vig! lance of the oppressors, while those who reside here continually labor that they may deposit ut upon the altar of their country. And, if that the expeditions sent out ‘are not as capable of bearing arms has always been in todoso, They have done and they do everytuing alone, entirely alone, notwithstanding the fact that they have been opposed by an army stronger which Great britain sent to this country to suppress American Kevolution, added to the number which Spain herseif sent out to sup- press the revolts against her power in Mexico and in her South American colonies. With all this ex- traordinary force, with @ formidable navy and th best American weapons, the Spanish government s year after year seen its battalions disappear, dit has no résvurces to-day to replace them. Lo fully appreciate PATRIOTISM AND STR iTH OF THE CUBANS ho have achieved their indepen- peliency will recall that no one of Jin breaking the yoke of opprea- sion without extraneous assistance. It is easy to comprehend this tact. When one people subdues another it takes every precaution to fortify its rule and to p it the Vanquished from obtaming those elements necessary for resistance to its them has suc Cuban, every progressive man, will always admire the history of this wonderful country, whose novle and intelligent people have changea This vel isthe natural ally of Cuba. It 19 the market of ba. Its society ts that which must be Interlaced with the society of Cuba. Its glories reflect upon Cuba, 1ts misiortunes are hers, and she ever prays Jor its success in all endeavors. The defenders of the island, ho’ er, are inclined to believe that their patriotisn not inferior to the patriotism of tue Jathers of the American Revolution, Accord- jog to some oficial communications and to other reports It would seem that there are high circles in this country in Which is entertained a low estimate of aban valor. It is possible this misapprevension arises irom 4 comparison between the small nui bers in arms in tie island and the millions who re- cently imet in fratricidal strife on this Coa- nent, and between the weak vessels of Cuba ¢ the navy of a first class Power. The ideas thus expressed Would seem to show some jorgetfuloess of the history of the United | States. itts ivequently vbserved that persons of humvle origin, suddenly raised to wealth by the favoring breeze of fortune, forgetting their early lite, despise the poor who struggle against mi: y, It would be a source of profound regret should an son of this great Republic take into consideration the struggle uow going on in Cuba withont re. membering the early events of American histo itis possible that some, contemplating the imine. cities of Mis country, 18 increasing population, its Industries and its splendor, may imagine these always existed, and that by some supernatural power aud wituout foreign aid this peopte accom. plished at once its present position of eminenve. Vanitas vanitatum, Peoples, like individuals, a intoxicated by the incense of seil-love, He was avi wise philosopher, that Roman historian, Who made the founder Of iis country the olfspring of a wolf, and who stated that the original setviers of that Empire were a set of miserable bandits, It is provavle that his intention was tocheck the When this population devided to break the ties vanity of that wonderiul people, whose glories haye uever becom eclipsed, itis necessary to re- EE EEE ee | accomplis | anitting to America arms and military stores to the value | RK HEKALD, call, alfhough it may wound the seir pride of some who do bot understand what the real grandeur of a nation is, tat the independence of this people had its origin iu poverty and Weakness. The lesson of the historian is, that without foreign assistance it 18 probable its first effort for imdependence wouid have been suppressed and George Wash- ington died on the scafold—treaved by the British writers as a filibuster; a term applied to-day by an eminent jurist to the men of education and high position in society who have recently sacri- ficed their lives tor the liberty of their country, and among whom the undersigned has the glory to count @ son, & youth 18 years old, It isknown that the American colonies were poor, aud when the outbreak inst the mother country was first initiated tt did not have the sup- port of the wealthy portion of the population, which constituted the tory party, and was in avor Of & continuance of British rule. Sixty-six thousand dollars was all the money which the Congress of Philadelphia was able to raise to meet the war of American independence, Hildreth remarks that in 1775 Washington com- plained bitterly of an egregious want of public Spirit and Jerulity in all tue low arts of obtaining advantages, And that John Adams also com- plained, lke Washington, ot “corruption even in tois infant age of our Republic and of a predomi- nating avarice which threatened the ruin of America, The golden age of pure, disinterested Patriotism, adds the same historian, is much like all golden ages—that which seems to be such ata distance will hardly bear a close inspection,” It would be well to study the military situation, both before and aiter the receipt of foreign aid. Hil- dreth says:— STRUGGLES OF THK AMERICAN COLONTES, 1776, September 15.—lowe landed near Kipp’s Bay, three miles above the city. The troops posted to guard this lunding, panig struck by the late disasters, fled with- out firing a gun. Two New psiend brigades, brought up to support them? seized with like panic, ran away in the most shametul manner, leaving Washington, who had come to view the ground, exposed to capture within 80 paces of the enemy. Greatly exctied at this dastardly conduct, he threw his hat on the eons, exclaiming, “Are these the men witn whom Lam to dotend Americal? His attendants turned his horse's head and hurried him trom the field. I at that moment Washington had been taken prisoner what would have been the result of the war? Gotover.—By the deparsure of the militia and the expiracion of termi of the regulars the Northern army melted rapidly away. Several regiments, which had yet 4 short time to serve, marched under Gates to join Wush- ington, who was by this time hardly pressed. * © * November.—Washington’s army was by this time greatly reduced. The term ot service of the militia was fast expiring. ‘ke whole flying camp soon claimed their discharge, and uo inducements could procure a moment's de} Souve of the New York militia retused to do duty, Howe, they said, offered peace, liberty and satety—so they understood his proclamation—and what more could be askedr The Continentals were enlisting for a year, and their term of service was fast drawing to a close} nor did they always wait to complete it, desertions be'ng very numerous. Exclusive of the division of the high- lands and the corps under Lee on the east side of the diudson Washington's army did not exceed 4,000 men. Washington's army did not exceed 4,000 men. Every one knows tuat the British were victorious everywhere; (hat every where the cause of Ameri- can independence was fleeing before them. On the 7th of December, 1776, the great man made the memorable retreat, crossing the Delaware. ‘The principal cities o: the country were, one after the other, Jalling imto the hands of the enemy, At the expiration o! the year the situation of af- jairs is preseuted by Hildreth in the fouowing terms :— The Howes issued a new proctamation. * * * The speedy triumph ot the mother country seemed certain, RY persons—those especially of large property, Z several who had taken an active parti tis siened to make the required submission. President of the late New Jersey Convention, netioned the Deciaration ot Independence Turkey, P: which had san and formed the State constitution, now abandoned his country’s cause and took a briush protegtion, So did Ss from Pennsylvania ten days aiter the or 30) persons came in Alien and Galloway, late delega: to the Continental 'Co ¥ issue ot the prociamauon every day to take the oaths Such was the desperate situation at this critical period. ‘The French, both the court and the merchants, saw with delight the British colonies rising in arms against | the mother country. in spite of the remonstrances of he Briush Ambassador American privateers found no i rench ports, Armed call Commissions, Were ¢ven wed to be secretly fitted out. Jt is diMeult to the humble person who has the honor to address Your Exceliency to refrain from making an observation at this point. The Ameri- cans liad this assistauce in their struggle afforded taem on th 3 from the commencement. If the Cubans had been equally favored jor one month it would have atfurded them suficient strength to the purpose for wiich their revolution Was iuitiated, Now it is to be observed the enure picture shown by the same writer, presenting, as it does, 4 adiirable historical tableau— Shortly after the breaking out of hostilities, in conse- quence of representations made by Arthur Lee to the dor at London, Vergennes, the French ign Affairs had ‘sent M. Beauinarehais Known at Parts as a courtier, a dramatist and incriguer, to concert measures with Lee for 1 1,000,000 livres ($207,002) Tne French court was not yet prepared tor an open breach with England and to cover up this transaction and to give it a mercantile ap- Pearance those arms were to be remitted by Beau chais under the fictitious mercantile firmof Hortales & Co, Betore this matter could be tinally arranged Deane had arrived at Paris, vot openly in any pablic capacity, but apparently asa private merchant. He was courte ously received by Vergennes and was presently i duced by beaumarchais, with whom he compieted U iments cominenced with Lee in London. It was i that Hortales & Co., should send the proposed Mes by way of the West Indies and that Congress tobacco and other produce in payment, 3 ently despatchod three vessels, and with vuiuable cargoes, incliding ‘y and a supply of small arms trom 0) tents and clothing tor $0,000 men, | But this assistance, so secretly afforded, aid not satisiy the Freacu people, and many volunteers, depending upon their own resources, Came hither to offer their lives in deience of the mdependence of this nation, when the news of the loss of New York and the retreat through the Jerseys made Tavst foreigners despair of the Aimerican cause, as said Hildreth. But all this generous assistance did not yet satisfy the French nation, It was thought neces- sary to extend the tuilest aid to the struggling | Anierican people and France decided to do this Without any reservation + “January 30, 1776.—Two treaties were speedily signed— one of triendship and commerce, the other of deiensive a e—in case Great Britain should declare war against Frauce. With the reception of these resources Americans were enabled to enter upon anew ana active campaign which proved oue of victories, though with occasional reserves, July 6,1777.—The retreat of the British was none to They had been gone but a few day, stang arrived olf the Delaware, with a French ject of 12 ships of the line, and tour frigates. This fleet, much superior to Lord Howe's, iad on board 4,000 French troops. * * * Is it necessary to continue the quotations? Is it not known that at the precise moment when the cause of American independence was in the great- est distress it received that . AID PROM WITHOUT which opened the way to suc * It ts well nn- derstood that those very men who, at the come men nent, not trained to the hardships and-vicise Situdes of war, by their actions so disgusted their great leader, Who, without tue necessary armsand resources, could accomplish so little, subsequentiy and when these were supplied were enabied to turn the tide of victory and compel thetr arrogant and exultant foe to lay down his arms in ackno’ edgment of the independence of the country. The recullection of these striking events has its origin in the fact that the Cubans are struggling in the same cause Which engaged the American colonies, and that in their contest they are not entitled to the less consideration because tuey have had no foreign Minister like Vergennes, no foreign volun- teer like Laiayette, no foreign government like the French to assist them tn their giorious struggle, To sum up the whole matter, it will be seen that in 1776 the campaign was extremely disastrous to the Americans. The English were advancing triumphantly in every direction; that the pe pie were inclined to return two ir aile- giance, iollowing the example of some who had | ag st b the MONDAY, DECEM | not alone by the justice of its cause, but vy treasury, as has already been said, has rendered it impossibie for Spain to send to Cuba the necessary number of troops to maintain ber present militar, sition, ‘This leads to the conclusion that it pain, with all the moral and material assist- ance of this nation, has not been able to sustain herself victoriously against the Cubans the latter would easily have conquered, had they, from the beginning, been enabled to introduce tnio the island the arms they needed. Your Excellency will, may be, answer this, that the high interest of this, country would not permit her to take any steps in this matter, and that the wiser and more prudent course was the one which has been The undersigned respectiuily hopieave to examine what this course has been 80 far as a non-cognizance of the secret facts and policy will Pibtrerd About June, 1869, this government sent a inister to Spain and it has never been denied that he confidentially presented to that government a proposition ior the CUBANS TO BUY THE ISLAND with @ guarantee of payment by the United States, Jt ts known, through public rumor, that to this proposition Serrano and Prim answered that any question concerning tue island could not be discussed or entertained until the complete suppression of the Geoeers movement, for the national honor would not admit of any action which might appear to result from the threaten- ing attitude of a party of rebels. 1t is not prob- able that they shut out all hope of the negotiation in the future, and the undersigned has some per- sonal reason for believing that im private General Prim, at one time, expressed htmself in favor of such @ scheme, and tuat he lamented that the gov- ernment could not carry it out without exposing itself to the national susceptibility. He was so much in favor of the proposition that it has been said by men in hi position that in his death he was the victim of the Spanish slave traders, who fearea that he would be instrumental in carrying it into effect. The ultimate result was that the govern- ment of the United States was assured by Spain that, if given the time, she would very soon put down the insurrection. If she promised to do something in accordance with the wishes of the United States after her triumph it is not Known, If she has made such promise it is probable she has done 80, not by any written communication, but by private dipiomatic assurances, What is evi- dent is that, as though a natural consequence of such assurances, the efforts of the Cubans in this country to assist their brethren in the field was thencelorward thwarted in every manner possibile. Instead of being favored with arms and men, as Deane, Franklin and Arthur Lee were in France, their expeditions were seized; their rep- resentatives in this land of the iree, instead of being received as the American commissioners in Europe, with enthusiasm and protfers of aid, were put in prison. Meanwhile the Spanish Ambas- sador Was an especial favorite in Washington. Nor was this all. In this country was constructed a Squadron Of gunboats to aid in suppressing the Cuban movement; and trom this country, too, were sent the artillery and the Remington rifes used by the Spanish army in Cuba, Tne record of the aid extended by this great Republic to rivet the chains ypon a people struggling to be free will not be complete without reerring to the order to American war vessels, cruising along the coast of the island, to receive all deserters from the Cuban jorees who might make application to be taken on board—an order which constituted a true armed intervention on the part of tais country in the struggie in favor of Spain. That this is so is evi- dent irom the fact that Spain, though so punctiltous: regarding any interference in her aifairs trom with- out, has, 80 far as is Known, made no remon- strance—found no fault. In the meantime the government at Madrid was sending thousands upon THOUSANDS OF SOLDIERS to the island, and, in order to prevent any change otipoltoy on the part of the American government, a nge Which was demanded by the American people, it resortea to the subterfuge of prociaim- ing severai times the entire pacification of Cuba, ‘Tais was done by the Captains General, De Rodas and Valmaseda during 1869, and in 1870 the Spanish Cortes extended a unanimous vote of thauks to the former tor his action in bringing about the alleged pacification. Their object, in these decelt- ful declarations, has been to gain time and to con- tunue the American government bound to inaction, knowing that the recognition at Washington of the belligerency of the Cubans, would be the death- biow to taeir power in America, The siave question was aiso used by them to win the good graces of the American government. Striving to make it appeur that they were inspired by a spirit of abolition, they issued laws with bombastic preambles, which, so far from abolish- Ing the criminal insutution in the island, only re- Sulted in its continuance. ‘Thus, year after year has passed away Without the Cubans obtaining Unat recognition to which they were entitled, Unquesiiovably had they been less vigorous they would have succumbed, Cuva, conscious of tts own inherent strength, accepted with sorrow the apparently undeniadie fact of the hostility of the adininistration at Washington, and determined to continue its struggle for independence, relying soiely upon its Own yesources and Convinced of its ulumate triumph, Tis cuntidence was incited the unanimity of sentiment among the natives, and the tact that every man, no matter what his situa- tion in life or place of residence, was doing some- thing to advance the interests of the cause. it nay be said that this community of sentiment and effort 18 not aiways suiicient to accomplish the independence of a people, as was shown in tue cases of Poland and Paraguay; but it should be remembered tuat both of these bad to coatend with extremely poweriul neighbors, who by their own weight necessarily overcame them, while Spain 13 poor, weakened by internal convulsions, and is situated far distant from Cuba. Besides this, the Poles and Paraguayans fought for mde- endence only, while the Cupans fight for their ives as well, assured, as they are, that Mf con- querea they will be exterminated, as was the Jarge Moorish population, by fire and sword, alter the conquest of Grenada, It is a fact, demonstrated by the nistory of all Spanish America, that the metropolitan govern- ment at Madrid, though it has always being ac- cused of being tyrannical and opposed to all 1 provements in the colonies, has never been so imuch so, never as inimical to the best interests of those colonies, and to tue happiness and preserva- tion of their peopie, as have been those Spanish residents coming out trom the mother country and settling among them. ‘hey have surpassed in reality any conception of the despotic courts of Charies V. and Pillip IL Jt is well known that the Spaniards in Peru, commanded by Gonzalo Pizarro, arose in rebellion to the Crown because ib desired to make the Indians free. The codes embodying the laws of the Indies and the municipal laws were, perhaps, not pertect modeis of liberalism, but, cOusidering the times in which they were enacted, were calculated to bring about the prosperity of the societies alfected by them, had not the Spanish restdents always pre- vented their execution, in order to retain @ mon- poly of every good thing. In fact, the creole pop- ulation througnout all Spanish America could Well have endured the tyranny of the government at | Maarid, and been resigned to remain thereunder, but they could not endure the TYRANNY OF THE SPANISH RESIDENTS who condemned them to imbecility, misery and death. And thus tt is with Cuba, as is indicated in the recent message of Your Exceliency. The Span- jards established tn the Isiand have always bitterly Siricen: any measures jor the improvement of tie atives, interested ony in the slave trade and iu accomplishing the total deyradation of the Cubans, Far from composing the aristocratic portion of the eople, 48 hus been erroneously reported to Your j pxcellency, they constitute an uneducated popula- tion of bachelors, and careiul to create no ties in the country. They are thus left free to indulge tn their hatred to the people, Which they never relin- quish, When the war jor independence broke out they formed thenmseives into militia oi ganizations, called ‘Lue Volunteers,’ more jerocious than the Janizaries and Mamelukes. In order to overawe the native population they have grossly exagger- ated their nuinvers, but there are, nevertheless, as many as 25,000 of thei in the island, doing garri- son duty in all the towns, the natives thereor signed the Deciaration of Independence. All was | being detenceless, as arms are prohibited desolation and dismay. The year o: 1777 begins, | them. Beside the volunteers and regular and with itthe immense resources from without | troops there are but few Spaniards in arrive, and victory smiles upon the just cause. | the Island, itis not easy to estimate the entire And iet it be borne in mind that if the aid afford in arms, men and ships was important that given in money Was no iess so, With this the Commis. sloners of the Republic could pay the immediately pressing expenses and could meet the engage- iments which Congress had incurred in an earlier part of the struggle, and for which drafta had been given upon such Commissioners. So much for the first great example of the necessity for extraneous assistance to @ people struggling tor tueir indee pendence, And now it will be opportune to consider the case Oj Spain herself in ber struggie for independ. dence againt Napoleon, Every town and village was held by the French, and King Joseph Bona- parte was seated upon the throne with scarcely any considerable slow of opposition to him, or- ganized throughout the peninsuaia, Then it was that England determined to send effective assist- ance to the invaded nation, She sent to Spain 80,000 British soldiers, commanded vy Lord Wel- lesley, afterwards Duke of Wellington, and at the same time she sent the requisite resources and material of war to place under arms the whole Spanish nation, and thus was preserved Spanish independence, THE SOUTH AMERICAN NATIONS also received great assistance from abroad In their war of independence, an assistance composed ol supplies of money and men, and Of a recognition of their fag, which afforded them the immense ad- vantage of privateers, wherewith to prey on the enemy's commer: The Modern Greek, too, 98 is weil known, owes his mpependence, first to a recognition of his ve ligerent rights by the leading Powers of Europe, And, subsequentiy, through the practical assist- ance of tne same, Aud jately, Lombardy and Venetia owe their independence O| Austria to the alliance of Italy and Prussia. It cannot ve inferred from this that they were not entitied to their in, pendence, that they did not fight bravely—the Americans, Spaniards, South Americans, Greeks, ‘Lombards and Venetians, Having showa that no people has acquired its independence without loreign assistance, is it to be assumed that Cuba, which lias had no Such ald, ls to be conquered by the Spaniards’ No; as they have not a single ally ou earth, they have the alliance of Providence, TNS Is hot @ common expression, nor without Signification in the sphere oi jack. In that splendid isiand, witch Columbus pronounced “the most beautiful land that human eye ever dwelt apon,” under tts clear skies, amid its picturesque seas, @inong its odorous flowers, tts birds of brilliant plumage and its proud forests, Mother Nature has placed a gerin of disease, deadly to the Euro- pean—the malaria, Agaiv, the Complete exhaustion of yhe Spanish opillation, as the government and the Volunteers ave always been interested in preventing a rel abie census, and they have fixed as they liked the returns. It may be safely assumed that of the 1,600,000—the estimated population—j00,000 are cvlored, Of the latver more than 300,000 are slaves, There are in all 100,000 Spaniards in the island, The Volunteers being the only armed bodies in the towns, they are enabled to perpetrate their out- rages with unpunity, They began their murders in January, 1569, in Havana; and, not satisfied with having shot without trial several thousands iu Bayamo, Manzanillo, Hoiguin, Camaguey, Matan- vas and Santiago de Cuba, the theatre of the late massacre by Barriel, they have rebelled against every Captain General who has not obeyed them, and in one Way or another they have sent back to Spain Dulce, De Rodas, Cebajios and Pieitain, THE SECRET OF THRIR POWER can be easily understood, They have the monopoly of the interior commerce aod retail trade; they have the slave trade, which still exista, though carried on with the greatest secrecy, and they have the management oi the embargoed proper- ties of the Cubans. In fact, they are in league with the Spanish government to appropriate to themselves all the agricultural wealth of the isiand, resulting from the labors of the natives. Holding as they do the cities, the triumph of the Spanish cause would be the signal for exterminat ing the Cubans, as has already been done in many of the interior towns. Siuce the dethronement of Isabella several efforts have been made by certain Spanish statea- men to give the isiand arepresentation in the Uor- tes; but the volunteers bave always opposed it and successfully, a8 they have everything which in any way might tend to the abolition of wery. They have also prevented the restitution of ali the em- bargved property decreed by the home govern- ment. Theiriury has no bounds when they see a victim {8 likely to be taken from their hands. ‘The Cubans can only expect death from these volunteers. They reaiize that with the suppression of the insurrection the work of extermination would commence, in one form or another; by tm- mense deportations from the Island, a8 in the case of the Fernando Po prisoners, 80 conducted that few, if any, would survive, without for @ moment neglecting the easier task of dally shootings, Have they not deified Boet, Castafion Valmaseda aud, last or all, Burrielt 1 the Cuban could for a Tioment doubt that this is the fate reserved for them in vase of their being routed, they would easily be convinced of it by & consider. ation of the treatment accorded to the blacks in 1844, ‘There existed in the island that time a oumerous and wealthy colored Copulation, Lue Spaniards determined on a scheme BER 8, 1873.—TRIPLE SHEET, ; could not ga’ to deprive them of their money, To this end they affected to believe that a conspiracy existed among shen: @ conspiracy of which no prvot has been found atter 30 years, and under the lash and by the rife, they were all exterminated. A great poet, Placido, perished ron age Considering hese precedants, demonstrating as they do that the Cubans are fighting for life, it is easy to see how they have been able to neutralize tae most energeuc efforts of the Spaniards, Placed in close proximity to this te Republic, identified in their interests with it, and this nu- tion being the only one which from its character and posicion was likely to favor them, they have applied to it—not for arms, not for vessels, not for men, aoe limited themselves to asking @ recog- nition of the fact that a war existed between the colony and the home government, and that in such war the American Union should remain neutral, There is a wide difference betyreen this modest request and the petition of Deane, Fran lin, Arthur Lee and Jobu Adams, asking for money, arms, vessels and soldiers. At the same time they showed that if Irom the efforts made by their forces in the field they were worthy of the consideration which they asked they were en- titled to respect for the efforts they were making abroad. Among many vessels, successively pur- chased and equipped by them, was @ man-ol-war, fully provided as such in every respect, it would havo been very easy to devote this vessei to DEPREDATING ON SPANISH COMMERCE}; but, as they hed deen notified that the government of the United States would be much displeased at this course, they did not adopt it. A storm obliged this vessel to enter the port of Wilmington and there she was seized and disarmed under orders from the American authorities, and so the Cubans were compelled to admit that this nation did not recognize their tlag. Consequently, in order to send arms to their forces, they were compelled to adopt slow, dishearteniug, and not very efficacious methods, ‘They were inlormed that Spain, not having recognized a state of war in Cuba or de- clared a pericct blockade of the coasis of the island, had no right to overhaul and search Amer- ican vessels engaged in carrying arms, and for that reason these vessels could engage in carryin such arms and material of war to Cuba asa legiti- mate tratiic, and that the Spaniards had no further power than to arrest any persons found breaking the municipal laws within their jurisdiction, Relying upon the truth of this theory, which had been advanced and maintained in omMcial notes from the United States ‘overnment, vessels, loaded with arms—which they had a periect right to carry as articles of commerce—were sent to the coast of Cuba without any violation of the laws of the United States. As @ consequence of this legal action those having them in charge were directed, in order not to compromise the American fag, to make no resist- ance in case of an attack by the Spaniards outside of Spanish waters, as should they be captured by a Spanish man-of-war on the high seas they woud receive the protection of this nation; a protection which, on several occusions, had been extended to the Horuet, the Edgar Stuart and the Virginius by American national vessels. It 1s well to state the fact thatit the Virginius was really intended to land arms in Cuba the cause ot her surrender Without any resistance Was the conviction that she was not subject to legal capture outside of Spanish jurisdiction, The worm Knows tne result in the recent slaughter in Santiago. What can be said against the Cubans? They were not permit- ted men-of-war. They were not allowed to assist their struggling countrymen in any other way. Will it be exac.ed of them by Americans that they should give Over all attempts at such assistance and yield to tue imevitable extermination which would tollow ? Moreover, when the expenditures which the Cubans have wcurred, amounting to many mil- lions of dollars, are considered, the questions haturally suggest themselves, How have they been able to accomplish this in the past and how do they propose to continue it in the future, when, as is well known, the Span- tards have confiscated the property of a great part of them, and the residents in the isiand are ciosely watched in order to prevent their sending money to this country to assist the insurrection? ‘the answer is very simple, and it is well to have it borne in mind. ‘The Cubans, placed between a Jerocious and tyrannical government like the Spanish, aud a liberal and humanitarian one like the United States, became since admirers of the latter, From spain they could expect only evil; irom the United States, good, Spain imposes a contribution of $32,000,000 upon tue island in addi- tion to the mun cipai exactions and tue constant robberies of her rapacious employes, Spain, while imposing a high duty upon the productions of the coiony introduced into the peninsula, compeis Cuba to receive her productions with scarce any duty. Spanisi rule means * RETROGRESSION, PARALYZATION, MORAL DEATH, ‘The United States purchase tne sugars and cotfee of the island, and they return to it every class of supplies, notwithstanding tie immense duties im- posed upon them. The United States reflect the light of their high civilization through the inter- stices of the Spanish dungeons. The United States represent progress, lie, lt is not strange that, in making their elecion, the Cubans turn their eyes to the great Republic. It is not strange that they should look with terror upon the banner of red ald yellow, aud with iriendsbip upon the flag of the American constellation, ‘The United States long since became a resort of all the Cuban families, as couid be seen ab Sara- toga, Newport and, ‘above all, in the Bmpire City, and, not satistied with this yearly trip, they, sympathizing with the people and the genius of free instivutions, soon began to purchase reai estate and establish their residence in tals country, Making Cuba their winter resor’, Meanwhile ail their available means were in- vested in this country in national securities, rauroad bonds, &c. This transfer of property trom the Antille to the United States has assumed large proportions since 1805, and, had the outbreak been postponed for three Liss there would have remained only a tew wealthy Cuban Jamilies not estabiished in this country. In tne early part of 1869 the decree of confiscation against many of them was issued, but already large numbers nat- uralized as Americans had a great part of their jJortunes in this country. Tuus it can be easily seen irom what source are drawn these very con- siderable expenditures. Moreover, the assassina- tions which took place, alter the insurrection of Yara, in the towns of the isiand, drove very Many of the ibabitants to these hospita- ble “shores. Not ail of them were rich, and the poor soon began to employ theimselves in a manbuer proiitable to botn the country which had received them and to the patriotic cause. They mostly dedicated themselves to the manuiac- ture of cigars, and, according to the statistics, they have increased fivefold the wealth of the nation in this branch of industry since 18638, t least it cannot he denied that during the interven- ing time large factories have been established in Key West, New Orieans, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and other places. ‘These honest men, earuing irom $3 to $5 a day, have contributed con- stantly to the patriotic und, reducing as much as possible their personal expenses that they might contrioute the more. It 1s worth while here to mention the middle class—composed of those who e their property belore the Kevoiu. tion and those who have adopted professional careers OF are devoted to literary and arustic pursuits. By the first of these this mercantile com- munity has been enlarged in weaith and numbers, and by the latter scleatific and illustrated papers of a high order have been established in New York, which propagate the progress and glories of tie United States throughout ail Spanish America, apd, to an extent, in Spain itself, In medical science they have some distinguished representatives in this country, and the musical societies and the pic- ture galleries of this enl:ghtened city are sustained toa large degree by Cubaus emiiuent in their resp lve Helds, All contribuie, whether rch or poor, to the pacriotic fund, aud will conth 0 d0 80, and while doing this they also contribute with their biood tv bring about the independence of their na- tive country. In every one of the expeditions which have been fitted out—tae Henry Burden, Salvador, Perit, Grapeshot, Catherine Whiting? Lilian, Anna, Upton, Virginius, Edgar Stuart and many Others— it las been necessary to REJECT APPLICATIONS FROM OUBANS, a8 the lists were 1ull. As many of them have gone to Cuba as could be provided with means ot traus+ portation, Notwithsianding ali these weil esiab- lished Jacts there are tose who accuse the Cubans of a lack of patr m, and it is believed that there are here ny thousands who do not honorably represent their cause, itis to them a sorrowful matter tiat, instead of receiving a due apprecia- tion of thetr efforts and sucritices, they only meet with misrepresentation and revilement. As these Misrepresentations have been so often repeated without refutation, the representatives of the Cuban Repubitc take advantage of this occasion to make # (ull statement of the facts, According to the most reliable intormation, collected and on file in this oMtce, the mutives of Cuba resident in the United States, including vid people, Women and children, do not exceed 5,000, Of those capabie of Re teae Sank ouly slew remain; the balance are in the field, Of these few many are detained here as being the only supporto families, The journals who for sensational purposes make so much of the Cubans in this country ought to realize that the importance attached to them springs rather from their wealth and sacrifices Vhan irom their numbers, In order to conclude the matter it may be added that this eungration, Mmough so small in numbers, may have been more teste to the country than others which have een very large. They are iree from those habits of intemperance which, unfortunately, are so prev+ alent in some other classes of society. They do not disturb public tranquillity with violent demonstra- tions, The assurance can be made that, with the recognition of belilgerency and the cousequent ja- cilities tor obtaining arms, there will be none leit capable of carrying a rife, and even many of tue old men wiil go. It 1s to be hoped that, herealter, they will be regarded in the true light. «It is nut 80 easy a matter—ay has olten been sald—to leave Rome, wealth and every enjoyment to enter upon @ fearful campaign, Whea the glorious contest between the American nation aud the slave power took piace tt was necessary to offer bounties of $100, $200 and finally $1,000 for every man; and, ‘hig Not suMicing, it was found necessary to set aside a fundamental principle of American legisia- Vion and estaplish the drait, Personal liberty was abolished and compulsory service employed to obtain a triamph, This, however, proves nothing against the patriotism of this great people, Wiici wave its reasures and its blood to preserve the Union, It only showed that the government thought it proper to adopt extre measures in order to pot a successiul termination toa war which would otherwise have beea much more pro. tracted, But a consideration of these events tends | toshow the credit to which the Cobans are en- | ttled--not hesitating at any sacrifice to advance their cause, Notwithstanding all these facts, tn order to give a color of yi to & denial of beiligermncy, tt has 1 been gata % Um TeCOKUINION PUUid DOL be | granted—first, oecause the Cubans had not a con stituted government; second, because they are not strong enough in the field, and third, because they bave noforts, A rapid examination of these three points will be sufficient to show the futility of the pretext, Itis known beyond doubt tha! when the Cubans arose in arms they ESTABLISHED A PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT, composed of an executive, residing in the eastern part of the island, and a@ committee, with head- quarters in Camaguey, and that, on the 10th of April, 1869, duly appointed delegat fram the various districts of the col y assembled at Guaimaro. Then they promul- gated a constitution, by which the governmen' Was established, including the executive power and a legisiative chamber. An election followed which resulted in the selection of Carlos Manuel de Cespe des @ wealthy planter and eminent lawyer, as President. He had tigured at the head of the movement since the 10th of October of the year previous. This government has been acting since that time, andin not a single instance have ite orders been disobeyed. It appoints the military chiefs and the civil officers as well as the represen- tatives in Mea Sy lands. It is in fuct the govern- ment of the militant Republic of Gaba, The under- signed could present to Your Excellency an immense number of documents from that govern- ment. If, notwithstanding all this, its existence should be denied, it 18 only left to take the tn- credulous to the struggling land, that the truth may be made manifest, as was the presence of the Saviour oi mankind to St. Thomas. When a great philusopher deuied the existence of motion, the only answer o/ his opponent was to rise and walk. When the existence of the republican government of Cuba is denied, the only answer must be to show it. The idea of denying the existence of such a government is as absurd as the project oi certain riests of France, after the restoration of the jourbons, to deny the existence of an Emperor, known as Napoleon Bonaparte. ‘The secona epee military strength of the Cubans—can be established by the fact that they hold their positions, and have, as can be demon- strated, successiuily combated the Spaniards on humerous occasions; as, for example, the occupa- tion of Holguin and Santa Cruz, and the land blockade which they at presents maintain around Manzanillo and Puerto Principe. 1 these facts are doubted it is only necessary to read the report oj the Chief of Staff of the Spanish army in the official Gazette of Havana, in which it is stated that many attacks have been made upon the Spanish positious in different localities and py thousands of Cubans, If still these reports are doubted, it is well to refer again to the official despatch of Mr. Sickle: already mentioned, stat'ng that during the firs! four years of the war Spain lost 60,000 men, And if, after ull this, the doubt re- mains, direct a glance at the map of Ouba, Ita average width is 48 miles, Let us fancy a body of land between two coasts, placed at less distance than New York is from Philadelphia, In the inter- vening spacc, With a length of several nundreds of miles, place as many forests and mountains ag may be wished. Would it be possible tor an army ol several thousand men to operate for five -yeara within this extremely narrow space against 60,000 regular troops und 20,000 volunteers without being in many instances victorious? 1s there any oue who Can suppose that it does not CONSTITUTE A REAL FORCE and adequate to contend against, if not to conquer the army opposing it? Ane if such is the concl sion when it is supposed that this area is filled up with mountains and forests, what must it be when the fact 1s considered that there ig indeed au immense extent of open country, like Camaguey, Where the predominant and more et- fective arm of the service is cavalry? Would it be Possible to be in constant flignt during these tive years and not tall into the power of so large a force as the Spaniards have had? No. The narrowness of the country operated over and the strategetical, fortified positions of the Spaniards have rendere necessary an almost daily engagement. The ad- vance guards of the Cubans are always witiin sight ol the advance guards of the Spantards. The undersigned can furnish the Department of State documents emanating from the government which he has the honor to represent, waici are confirma- tory of the Spanish reports, mentioning the abau- donment of the principal encampments occupied by the Spaniards in the interior of the Eastern State and the State of Cama- guey, and the storming by the Cubana of many towns. But, as has been said, the Spanish oficial reports present evidence of the ever in- creasing strength of the liberating army without rendering it necessary to recur to the despatch of the Secretary of the Cuban goverument. There ex- ist to-day 20,000 pavriot troops on a war footing, sta- tioned throughout tie Eastern and the Camaguey States and a purt of Cinco Villas, under the co} mand of Major Generals Garcia, Gomez and others, and this army increases in proportion to the number o/ arms received, while the Spaniards, obliged to garrison the large cities, cannot place ab equal number in the field. Let Your Excelleucy compare this enthusiastic and increasing body of men with the 4,000 troop to which the dismayed and dishearted army of Washington was reduced before the great foreign reintorcenients and sup- plies were received, and from this au appreximate idea Of the strength of the Cubans can be formed. ‘ihe third point is the last stronghoid of those wuo would deny belligerent rights to the Cuvans. ‘This is the ‘ON-POSSESSION OF PORTS. It is known by everybody that the Spaniards, having a poweriul navy, the Cubans, in oraer to preserve to theinselves any ports witch they mighe lake by storm, wouid have to aid their land opera. uons by & maritime iorce. The conduct of che United States towards th does not permit of their having such force, and it would be therefore useless for them to attempt to retain im their ower the ports they occasionally seize. Now, if tue Juited States government does not allow them to have men-of-war, as has beea proved on two oc- casions, and without the assistance of such men- o!-war it 18 impossible to preserve ports, the de- mand o( the American governinent that in order to a recogaition of their belligerency they must have ports, bears a Character of ‘reflued cruelty which ‘cannot be within the in- tention of those making it. This is like binding @ man band and foot and exacting irom him that he should run, The natural answer of the bound man would be, “it you wiil loosen me L shall be able to ran.” The answer of the Cu- bans 18:—“Yield us a recognition of belligerencyv, then we shall have the rejuisite maritime elements and shall have ports.” Now, in order to have the character of a belt gerent, is it necessary to hoid foray ip no treaty. in no work on international iaw, can there be found any word in iavor of this strange theory. dlistory, on the contrary, often shows that the bel- ligerency and the independence of a struggling people have been recognized without their posses- sing any vorts. Greece, in reality, had nove when she was assisted against Turkey by the ailied na- tions. Itis doubtful uf Texas fad any when she was recognized a3 a belligerent by the United States, Mexico ‘undoubtedly had hone when the Prince Maximilian “was in the height of his power aad Juarez had buta few scores of men uear the United States frontier, nor did this prevent the United States from treating Mexico as an independant republic. St. Domingo had none in 1861, when it was recognized as a bellt- gerent by England iniis second war of indepen dence against Spain. it would be ridiculous to sus- tain the proposition that beligerents must nave ports. Beiligerency resuits irom the existence of an armed lorce which figits against another force, the ultimate result of the contest remaining ta doubt, and this condition certainly exists within the Republic of Cuba. The factis that the quesuion or the recognition of belligerency is not based on any tixed rule and depends upoa the will and the interest of the nation having to deai with it. ‘I've United States and Eng- land recognized the belugereocy, and ulterwards the independence of the spanish American Repud- lics, not only because they thought it jast, bub be- cause it harmonized with their own interest. The allied nations, in their recogaition of tne belliger+ eney and independence of Greece, Were actuated by the same motives. Belgium was recognized as independent in 1830 by the nations of Bu- rope because they considered it in keeping with ther own interest, The United Stutes recognized the belligereucy and independence te. because tuey considered it to their own interest, ‘the same United states treated Mexico as a republic nm she was @ de facto empire because they considered this course to their own interest, Interest, and, before every- thing, interest, has always ruled diplomacy since this modern invention was applied by Louis XI. and Ferdinand VY. And there is no other conclu. sion than that, in the disposition of the Cuban question, interest, and only interest, will control the action of this nation, ‘This principle accepted, the question will, at the end, be reduced to one of doliars aud cents—What has been what is the INTEREST OF THE UNITED STATES in this Cuban question? Let us examine this point, placing ou our side justice, humanity and duty. First, what has been? When the Spanisn American colonies accomplished their: indepen- dence Bolivar decided that Spain should be entirely expelled (rom the New World, and tor this purpose he organized a formidable expedition Lo invade Ouva to act in co-operation with the natives, 16 being well known that the principal families were engaged in the conspiracies of the Agutia Negra aud Solés de Bolivar. This expedition, fully ore ganized and equipped by Colombia and Mexico, With the squadron in readiness to transport it to the = shor of Cuba, Was on the point of embarking When the United States noufied the Powers engayed in it that they would not allow tne proposed operations to’ be carried out, and that they would assist witn their muitary and naval forces Spain to retain under bee dominion the island of Cuba, ‘They also notified Spain that she could rely on their assistance, moral and muterial, in any effort to retain suck dominion—a maniiestation which was afterwards more than once repeated. Why did the United States tins contribute at that time to rivet the. chains Of the oppressed Cubans? ‘The notes seud by chein to Golombia and Mexico concerning the matter, those which were Issued as & consequence oi the Panaina Congress and some others relerrin, to the Cuban question reveal very clearly wha was the purpose and aun, The movement for in- dependence tn spanish America being essentially abolitionist im its character, the American admiaistration of that period could not wre, the liverty of tho Wut about; not only, because, ag ae Hotes indicated, the resuiss would be detrt+ niental to the peace and prosperity of this nation, but, as was carciully concealed, It hoped eventually to bring it within the Union as a slave State, Mores over, the independence of Cubs at that time might have resulted in «& European protectorate tn the Antilles, and perbaps the ocorpation vi the istand by Engiand with the asseut of the nations. Spain, @ Weak baton, having then No avy, wis pre forred by the United States to hold temporarily the siagd, ws sie Would preserve siqverr in th, 1a