The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-07-09

, French Opinions Of tho Pesitiosa and Pro
, poets Of Cuba.
!. Translated from La P~sss Of the 2oth JunsI
month since, all the European AMI Americs
press were occupied with the expedition of Gener
Lopez. This audacious attempt has awakened II
attention Of Partisan papers, but those Of VAST
ington, New York, and Madrid, already had studio
the situation Of the island Of Cuba, and the question
attached TO il. The word Of xation, OF acqu
silion OF this island, had been pronounced, a Ion
nme ago, and, already at the beginning of the yea
io4o, DIT Yulee, Of Florida, offered, in the Uaite
states senate, formal proposition N that sense. III
wnhdIew II, on the observation Of Mr. Calhoun
that cit was imprudent, by an unrifnelv ardor
and an uncompetely matured project to EXPOSE
the success Of this important affair" Il was I'm
dersood thus, that this annex ation or the acuuis
mo, hon o. Caoa, should nguIe on the programme Of
GLE From that epoch, the question has been in
cessantly treated in Madrid and in Washington
and the American journals on several occasions
have declared that Mr.. Polk had commenced with
the Spanish government, negotiations which were
of nature to satisfy all parties. This fact put in
circulation by the journals Of the United States
| and sometimes confirmed sometimes contrad cted
without single doubt. Mr.. Polk had really made
some openings, which, it is true, were coolly re-
ceived by the Spanish government; and it is easy
| to conceive that the expedition of General Lopez
has not rendered its dispositions more favorable
| This attempt had given issue to the most emerge
tic, and at least, this side Of the Atlantic to the
most unanimous reprobation Ii could not be
| otherwise but this is not the question. We must
not deal with Indignation, but must reason politi-
cally. II is consequently necessary, in apprecat-
ing the chivalrous sentiments TO their just WORTH
| TO examine the facts as they are.
Now, on this question, the facts are reduced to
| these two incontestable points The American
Union is destined TO absorb all the Northern hems-
phere; the island of Cuba tends rapidly, necessarily
to free itself from the heavy guardianship of the
metropolis: They may discuss the general utility
OF this double tendency but it is impossible to con-
test the reality Of it,
The history Of the Union furnishes, at every
page, proof of the IRE sisbe attraction exercised
by il upon the territories, and the people who are
neighbors. Ii must, against all, absorb those
people, those territories, and gradually assimiIate
them to itself This assimilation is complete, as
seen in louisiana at first French, and Florida,
which was ceded by Spain. The Union, walking
with gigantic steps to It's glorious destiny, has
drawn back its frontiers to the borders of the Paci
fic Its free institutions have penetrated to Santa
Fe, and are now execution in San Francisco.
Canada is overpowered, and, in spite of England,
the movement, suppressed only for while, will
have a successful result How can the island of
Cuba, that great fortress, which commands the
Gulf of Mexico, be able to escape this common
law?
We know very well, that in Spain, the public
mind is opposed TO the idea of giving up, even by
regular negotiation. this magnificent colony, the
resources Of which are so abundant. But we be-
lieve, also, that the Spanish government will sacri-
flee, at last, the Caslian pride to polity, and TO
we'll directed public interest II knows very we'll
that, il is not from to-day that Cuba thinks Of fol-
lowing the example of Mexico, and of the other
American countries, which have repeled, by arms,
the domination of Spain. The Independence OF
this island is one of those events for which ar in
telligent government must be preparation it is
inevitabe-and because it is more advantageous to
give up, to-day, willingly, and with good condi-
uons what can be taken at the first moment vo-
lently, and without any compensation.
Long since the inhabitants of Cuba dreamed,
not only Of the Independence OF the island, but Of
its annexation to the United States, and the span.
ish government knows very well the motives Of
this redoubtable inclination, which has already
produced several Instructions.
The population Of the island is composed oil
three elements; the native element, the fore'gn,
and the Europe an. Between the Creoles aud the
European Spaniards reigns an antipathy, which Is
explained by the conduct OF the home govern
ment. All the places are occupied by functions
ries sent from Madrid, and the garrison Is exclu-
sively composed OF European officers and soldiers.
These funconaries display generally, in the island,
despoiic manners and haughtincss which wounds
the feelings of the inhabitants-so much so, that,
in comparing their political, commercial and iutel-
lectual state with that OF the home government,
they Dd the. this rigorous guardianship 10 not suiii-
ciently justified.
Indeed the island Of Cuba possesses, to higher
degree than Spain, all the advantages Of an lm-
mense commerce with all the world, and II has
never seen, like the motbercountry, the sources of
its abundant riches exhausted IL possesses a more
liberal public instruction, an administration more
solid, and better organized, finances better regua-
ted, 'and which are'made public. IL studies with
more activity, il initiates with greater persever-
ance and success all the progress Of European
science and industry. As early as 1881, II had
completed nine railroads. and two others are now
in the course Of construction. II had employed
more than twenty-five millions OF francs for these
various ENTERPRISES when spain had not yet stirred
from her Indifference, and consolidated her imper-
feet fragments in this kind OF enterprise. Its COM
meTcial transactions amount TO more than three
hundred millions Of francs annually, and its in
come is more than sixty millions, the greatest part
Of which is absorbed by the home government.
This state of things, sooner or later, must bring
about an explosion. Already, at several periods,
some attempts have taken place, and alt hough Sc
yerely represscd, they are like threat for the
future. The garrison u the island, composed OF
thirty thousand men, Is disseminated all over the
vast extent of this territory, and Havana Is The only
redoubtable place. The other cities are not pro-
iected against any attempt. We have just seen
The proof Of II at Cardenas. Consequently, by its
geographical position, by its distance from Spain
TO which IL gives the greater part Of its resources,
and which would be very much embarrassed in
time Of action-tbe day when those resources
shall be cut off, Cuba will free itself IL enteftans
the serious wish to obtain its freedom.
What. until now, has restrained the Creoles, Is
the fear OF seeing the insufrectlon Of the negroes
shaking of The yoke Of the whites. But for that
apprehension, long since the Independence and the
anne xation would have been accomplished fact-.
But the rapid increase Of the white population re-
moves, every day, this single obstacle, which has
delayed the explosion. The Spanish government
VIII ne forced, ana no doutt tOoncr IMAM W tnlnks
Of to negotiate for the cession OF colony which u
is obliged TO give up, and perhaps, as we have al
ready said, without a sufficient compensation.
At all events, the United States will not, surely,
lose sight Of this territory, the acquisition OF
which will be Of such importance TO them. Cuba
produces sugar, coffee, tobacco, indigo and cotton;
and there, where culture ~ impossible, mines
Of copper, now worked by English companies, give
a considerable income. Cuba is also invaluable as
a military position, and the United States could
establish at Havana, dock yards and maritime ar
senals, and thus command all the commerce ofthc
Gulf
As TO France, we cannot perceive the interest
which che could have in contradcting this gigantic
development Of the United States unless our states
men, from evolution to evolution, are now con
verted to the doctrine Of the Americ equilibrium
Nation atty of Central A~erirs,
AND EXCLUSIVE AMERICAN SYSTEM, UNNFLtrNcKD