The Sun.
London, England, 1869-07-22 00:00:00

CUBA.

The Times in an article on Cuba gets on our plat-
form, and almost repeats what we said six months
ago. The Government of Madrid is advised to sell
Cuba, and make the best of the hopeless circum-
stances, being thankful that ithasanycolony connected
with America left to sell, as also a buyer. Throughout
this article may be distinctly traced the policy we
have always urged, even at a time when it was
reckoned but slightly disguised treason ; that is, the
severance of all political connection between Europe
and America. When thecolonies were young,poverty-
stricken communities, struggling with the waste and
its savage inhabitants, that connection was a neces-
sity, and, fortunately, Governments were imbued
with the error that the home country was strength-
ened by appropriating these vast territories. Sel-
fish motives induced them to expend money on the
government of such colonies, and selfish motives in
those days made them freely expend blood and
treasure in the attempt to preserve the connection,
even against the wish of the inhabitants. That error
has exploded, and a more liberal and enlightened
policy has supervened. One of the most momentous
blunders ever perpetrated was that of George lIL
in driving the thirteen colonies into rebellion and
then fighting them. Now it is known that no con-
nection is worth preserving which has to be main-
tained by a standing army against the hostility of
the people. Such is the position of Cuba with re-
gard to Spain ; and it is said that General PRIM is
penetrated with the conviction that even Cuba is
not worth being preserved as a Spanish colony by
two score thousand of Spain's best troops. He
goes further; for he believes that it cannot be
thus preserved, but must eventually be lost. To
get rid of it, then, on the best terms would be
the rational conclusion, and Spain has the example
of Russia as regards Alaska, of Denmark as regards
St. Thomas's, as well as of France, with regard to the
State of Louisiana, which fetched in the year 1803
the tidy little sum of 60 millions of francs at a time
when francs were not only much more valuable,
but much more required in Paris. The sooner
Spain opens negotiations at Washington for the sale
of the island the better for all concerned, most as-
suredly for the Cubans, who either might return
the purchase money to the United States by a levy
on their property, and find themselves much richer
than theywould be in possession of devastated estates
after even another season of warfare ; or the island
might enter the Union as a State and the purchase-
money represent the bonus given the Cubans to
take their share of the United States Debt. When
known that such a treaty was in progress the insur-
gents would lay down their arms, and Spain's sove-
reignty being f ully recognised, Spanish honour would
be satisfied. Indeed, as there would be money in
the case Spain might put her honour in her pocket
as she did all her obligations to her creditors. It is
evident that the Times is now prepared to advocate
the severance of the British connection with North
America, for no sentence could be more distinct
than this—

"It is for the advantage of both hemispheres, we think,
that each of the two should follow its own course untram-
melled by the interference of the other."
This simply marks the acceptance by the world's
leading organ of opinion of the MoNrtor. doctrine,
which, when carried into practice, will be the com-
plete triumph of American policy, and the legiti-
mate fruit of the great Civil War.

The report at Washington was that General
SICKLES was instructed to negotiate for the pur-
chase of the island. A leading paper says "We have
no disposition to waste a penny on Spain's forfeited
possession." We think this to be a mistake, not as
regards America, but as regards the Cubans, who
are a wealthy people, unfitted for war, and it would
surely be better worth their while to pay a forfeit to
preserve their lives and property, instead of pro-
tracting a.struggle which would cost them infinitely
more, and the question should be seen from the Cu-
ban as well as from the American point of view.—
Anglo-American limes.