New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-05-14
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
nsy~ For late and important Telegraphic
dispatches see First Page.
Invasion In the West Indies.

good
pers with reference to the Expedition against
Cuba. with which Gen. Lopez is said to have re-
Gently sailed from New Orleans. 1t is affirmed
that the arrangements have been carried on upon
q LARGE scale and that a considerable body of men
and several ships are engaged in the enterprise.
The number of men is variously estimated at from
1000 70 $4,000, engaged as is reported, Tor no spe-
cited pay, but for chance at the booty TO be made
Inv the Expedition in the stores and treasures
of the Spanish Government on the Island should
fall into its hands. The ships have cleared for
Cbagres and in every way sufficient care has been
taken to leave no ground for legal interference on
the part of the authorities OF this country 1t Is
also stated that Gen. Quitman, now Governor OF
Mississippi, had partially engaged to head the Ex-
pedtion, but that when he arrived at New-Orleans
for the purpose, his friends persuaded him to hold
Oh to his Governorship and let the ships set sail
without him. Such is the statement OF those who
claim and are likely TO be well informed it may or
NAV not be true in every particular, but weincline
| 70 believe it by no means without foundation
Its known that the Spanish Government has
la.terly made preparations to resist any such at
| tempt to conquer this fertile island, which is its
most productive source Of revenue. The number
of troops now in Cuba is probably not far from 30,
900. mostly veteran soldiers and likely to be efiec
tive in an open end equal fight. But az least half
of them are necessarily shut up in Havana, whence
they cannot safely be far withdrawn the remainder
are distributed through the island in garrisons of
three or four hundred which, for the same reason,
namely, the fear of revolt in their villages dare not
effect such junction with each other as would en-
able them to offer any efficient opposition to such
force as that said TO be under Gen. Lopez.
The question then resolves itself into the posi-
bty Of debarking this force, and it is against such
debarkation that the Government has taken spe-
cial precautions. A larger Spanish squadron is
now at the island than has ever been there before,
including the large war steamer, the Blanco dc
Gsrrai. which has lust arrived. 1t is, however,
doubtful whether the expedition will not elude all
their watchful adversaries and make good land
ing in spite of them The southern coast OF the
Island is long one not less than 700 miles in ex-
tent and it will take sharp watching TO guard every
part of it. Once landed, the expedition Will be
hard to dispose Of. The great extent Oh wild and
upcultivated territory oilers an excellent back
ground for a band of bold adventures, well armed
and well provided to operate from; to cut on the
communication of the Government with the remote
parts OF the island and conne 1t to the vicinity oil
Havana, will not be difficult supposing the opera
tions are skirfully conducted, and supposing the
people aid the invaders by serious insurrec-
tionary movement This we know is expected, but
il remains to be seen how far the luxurious Cubans
will attempt by force to assert the rights winch
Spanish oppression denies them tits also expect
| ed that the great popularity OF Gen. Lopez among
the Spapish soldiers will cause many ofthem to de-
sert and Join in the Revolution. vi course 1t VIII
| have some influence and is an element not TO De
left out OF account in estimating the chances oil the
undertaking, especially as the arrival OF Count
Mirasol, fussy and unpopular martinez, as We are
informed will not strengthen their allegiance TO the
| Government but il may well be doubted whether
any considerable desertion from the royal standard
will take place. The bonds of military discipline
are not easy to be loosened. Still there IS areason
able probability that single genuine victory over
any large corps of the Spanish army, would decide
the matter; such victory would rouse the natives
to active exertions and at the same time democrat
ize the remaining supporters of the Government
The Cholera, which is now raging among the troops
at Havana, and other large towns, may also be
reckoned as favorable to the invaders, as it weak
ems the Government atits most vital points.
Were the present expedition commanded b.
Gen. Quitmsn, or almost any other Of the Aneri-
can Generals who Were prominent in the Mexican
war, the chances Of its success would perhaps be
greater. Gen. Lopez had command Of the or
gsnzation formed for the same purpose upon the
Atlantic coast and at the South last summer, and
its failure is said to have been partially his fault
Owing TO that failure he ceased to be connected
with the Junta for the Independence OF Cuba,
which has Its seat at Washington, and which some
months since announced its existence aud its Oh
jects in a communication to the public. The pres
ent expedition We understand to be gotten up solely
under the auspices Of Lopez and his persona
friends, and without any cooperation with the
Junta.
There is also on foot another expedition designed
to be more efficient and in every way amply lite