The Sun.
London, England, 1870-07-21 00:00:00

IN THE EVENT OF WAR BETWEEN FRANCE
AND SPAIN WHAT WILL BECOME OF
CUBA?

The question of the accession of a German prince to the
Spanish throne involves one consideration of vast import-
ance to the United States which requires the immediate
and serious attention of the Government. If the Spanish
Cortes accept Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern, a war be-
tween the Germanic Confederation and Spain on the one
side and France on the other will be the immediate result.
One of the first movements of such a contest would
undoubtedly be a French expedition against the
Spanish Antilles, and the speedy occupation of
Cuba and Porto Rico by and in the name of Napo-
leon. The transfer of these islands to the possession
of a first-class European Power, whether by purchase or
conquest, has long been considered by our wisest states-
men as a measure fraught with danger to this country,
and therefore to be resisted at all hazards. In the present
condition of affairs we would be powerless even to protest.
The Government at Washington persist in recognising
Cuba as a Spanish colony, although the power of Spain
in the island has notoriously ceased. A military expedi-
tion, therefore, directed against Cuba by any Power at
war with Spain, would give us no legitimate ground for
interference. We would be compelled to look on in
silence, while the means of controlling the Gulf and the
Carribbean. Sea passed from the failing dominion
of the Spaniard into the vigorous grasp of France.
Therewith would terminate for ever the dream
of Cuban independence or annexation, while
the United States would reman, with the power of Eng-
land on the north, and France on the south,

Cabin'd, cribbed, confined.
Failing in achieving the independence which they are
contending for, the Cubans would not regard as wholly
unwelcome the establishment of French authority in the
island ; and the establishment of such authority would
clearly be one of the results of the war now imminent in
Europe. To this threatening danger we call the grave
attention of the government. There is but one method of
averting it—the recognition of the Cuban insurgents.
This measure, if adopted, will alter the essential
features of the case. It will give us the right
to declare against the permanent occupation
of the island by the French and to insist that the war in
the Gulf shall be directed only against the military power
of the Spaniards and not against the people or the indepen-
dence of Cuba. The great importance of this consideration is
apparent from the mere statement of the facts. It has
been through a mistake, long persisted in by our Govern-
ment, that this question now presents itself in such a
dangerous and embarrassing form. Statesman-
like action in regard to Cuba taken a year ago
in conformity with the popular sentiment would have
enabled the Cubans to establish their independence, or
would at least have left us in a better position to adopt
the measures which the present occasion demands. It is
not too late, however, for prompt and decisive action, ann
we doubt not General Grant will recognise the advantage
which his administration and the country will derive from
a brilliant and vigorous stroke of policy such as we have
indicated. Of one thing he may be well assured, that the
people of the United States will never consent to permit
Cuba to remain even nominally in the feeble grasp of
Spain when that nation is about to engage in hostilities in
which two of the great Powers of Europe are the chief
actors.—New York Herald of July 9.