The Sun.
London, England, 1870-06-21 00:00:00

CUBAN PROSPECTS BRIGHTENING.

Dawn appears to be breaking upon Cuba at last, and
that noble struggle of the people of. that beautiful island
against injustice and tyranny is drawing to a happy close.
History records no revolution more just, nor one which
called forth greater sacrifices, loftier patriotism or sterner
courage than has been evinced by the Cuban patriots, and
it would seem almost questioning the justice of Providence
to doubt the ultimate success of such a people. Our own
Government, instead of extending to them the active
sympathy, if not practical aid, which a people struggling
forindependence have a right to expect, has pursued a
supinely indifferent course, rather assisting Spain, to per-
petuate her tyrannical rule upon the Western Continent
than extending a helping hand to establish another republic
upon our borders. It is safe to say that had the United
States extended to the Cubans the same privileges
as were awarded to Spain, Cuba to-day would be
an independent sovereign Power acknowledged by
most of the nations of the civilised world. But those
privileges were withheld, and the struggle was prolonged
until the hearts of the-patriots well nigh failed them. The
American people, however, becoming tired of the timorous
policy pursued by. our Government, are moving in this
matter, and their influence is seen in the renewed interest
evinced in Cuban affairs by both the President and Con-
gress. General Banks' report, published exclusively in
the Herald, was the first full official sight into the Cuban
revolution which has been laid before the public. Its
disclosures have aroused all classes, and Congress itself
has been forced to abandon its indifference and to
take some action upon the subject. The Pre-
sident has always sympathised with the Cuban
patriots, but prudential motives heretofore pre-
vented his moving in the matter. Now, however, he
feels at liberty to pursue a different course, and we are
assured that both he and his Cabinet will warmly support
any policy that Congress may initiate. Upon Congress,
therefore, rests the responsibility of Cuban independence.
General Banks has plucked up courage enough to offer his
long-withheld report to the House to-day, and he will be
ably seconded by leading members whose active sympathy
for the Cuban cause has been many times expressed. The
House will doubtless take favourable action upon the re-
port at once, and send the matter to the Senate, where it
must not be suffered to " sleep the sleep that knows no
waking." Mr. Sumner has doubtless ere this modified his
views upon the Cuban war, and has learned that the pat-
riots were in earnest when they emancipated their slaves,
and that Spain is equally in earnest in her efforts to per-
petuate slavery. The Senate is to be the battle ground of
Cuba ; that body will determine the fate of the Queen of
the Antilles—whether she is to be made a desert and a
waste or take her place among the independent republics
of the western world.—New York Herald.

Nearly complete returns from the First District
of South Carolina show that Whittemore is returned to
Congress by about 8,000 majority. The vote, as compared
with that of 1868, when Whittemore was first elected, was
very light, only one-half of the coloured and one-fifth of
the white vote being polled.

- -
THE FRENCH POSTAL TROUBLE.—The want of
proper postal facilities between the United States and
France is much complained of in Paris—and that is
where the complaint ought to be, as all the difficulty is due
to the mulishness of certain of the French authorities.
Proper efforts from this side were made in time for the
establishment of postal regulations by treaty ;. but the
French Ministry would not accept our propositions in
regard to rates, believing that the Government income
would be greater without a treaty, and having little
regard to the convenience of the people.—New York
Herald.

ASSASSINATION IN BUENOS AYRES.
General Urquiza, whose assassination in Buenos Ayres
has been reported, was at the time of his death in his own
palace at San Jose reading quietly in his patios. The
house was surrounded by a band under the leadership of
the notorious Lopez Jordan who ordered them to fire.
Urquiza, unarmed, retreated to, the house, closing the
door. He was followed and shot in the presence of his
daughter. Upon his death Jordan proclaimed himeelf
Emperor of Entre Rios, a claim which it is understood
that Sarmiento and the Government of the Argentine
Confederation have recognised, to avoid a civil war which
threatened in consequence of this revolt. It is as if one
of our own State Executives were killed, and the assassin
should set up an imperial government and be recognised
by the President. The Argentine Confederation pre-
sents the anomaly of an empire within a republic.—Boston
Ad rertiscr.