The southern press., 1851-09-20
From the London Chronicle, Sept. ).

THE CUBAN NEWS IN ENGLAND.
The intelligence received yesterday from the
United States is Of an unusually grave charac-
ter. Either from want of zeal or of ability OH
the part of the authorities, the American forces
destined for Cuba embarked without molesta-
ton, and proceeded to effect descent upon the
island. The preparations for the enterprise were
! miserably insufficient and although considera
Bile number of the invaders succeeded in landing
it does not appear that any success has been
obtained by them at least the accounts are so
obviously exaggerated that it is not easy to be-
lieve in the victories recorded BY the American
journals. Of the precise position of affairs it is
difficult to Judge, 80 far as relates to the pro-
gress of the assailants, and to the support which
they have received from the macontents of Gu.
ba. There is. however, but little reason to ques-
ton the accuracy of the general statement which
has reached US of the events which occurred at
IIavanna on the sixteenth Of last month. On
the morning of that dav, four boats, containing
| a part of the American force, were captured by
the Spaniards. The prisoners, fifty in number,
were landed and were, on the same day, execu-
| ted by the Spanish military authorities The
news of the proceed ng has created the greatest
excitement in the States meetings have been
held in many of the principal cities and every
attempt has been made to heighten and prolong
the feeling aroused by the execution Of Ameri-
can citizens by foreign government In New
Orleans we are informed, the popular indigna.
ton is at its height-soldiers are being openly
enlisted and organized for the war, whilst fear,
are entertained that any effort on the part of the
| United States Executive to enforce neutrality
may lead to a collision with the people Nor is
the excitement less conspicuous elsewhere for
in New York popular demonstration has taken
place, and vengeance for the shedding of Amer.
lean blood is the wstehword of the agitators.-
At this distance it is impossible to appreciate.
accurately the political importance of such as
sembages. American language and American
sentiment, exaggerated and burle. .qued as they
always are, must be received with caution. Bat
we cannot avoid perceiving that the execution
of so large r number Of American prisoners, who
were connected by personal and national smy.
pathy with the democratic mobs Of the large
cities, was the one thing wanted by the annexa-
tonsts to enlist public feeling in the struggle,
and to overbear the feeble resistance of the Uni.
ted States government. The resources of the
executive have been insufficient to prevent fra.
grant breach of neutraitv-it remains to be seen
whether the determination of the cabinet OF
Washington will be able to oppose successfully
| the measures Of the war party.
For the sufferings Of band of desperadoes,
| who in a time Of profound peace, make delib.
| crate attack upon the territories Of a friendly
po yer, little pity can be felt. American citizens
had been duly warned, BY the proclamatons OF
the President, Of the nature Of the enterprise
which they undertook. They had been told in
explicit language that they would forfeit all title
| 10 ,he protection Of their own government; and
| they had every reason to expect TO be treated
| with the utmost segeFity, if they fell into the
hands of the enemy. Their invasion of Cuba
must be considered merely an an act of piracy
| they knew the risk but they chose TO encounter
! il. When taken prisoners, they could only be
treated az marauding freebooters they had no
claim to the clemenry which is generally dis.
played towards soldiers Of belligerents, accord
ing TO the usages Of nations and their lives
were Mt the mercy Of the Spanish government
| But the wholesale execution appears to US 70
have been a most i'll judged measure Itis true
! that the milder treatment Of the prisoners who
had been captured on the occasion of the former
invasion had proved inefectual to prevent y
second attempt Still IL was most nnwise to err.
| force the extreme right OF retribution. Punish.
| tnent which follows crime with such unnecessn
| ~ rapidity, has ALWAYS the appearance Of terror
or Of booa-tbirsty revenge II would have been
easy for the authorities Of Cuba TO have fully
maintained the rights Of the Spanish crown
without SO fearful measure of vengeance
! However clear the case, such sweeping and in
tautsueons severity is ipdefensible, except as
matter Of seifdsfence. But it does not ap.
pear that any immediate danger would have been
incurred by adopting less precipitate course
and, viewed in relation TO its conseq eqnences, this
summary mode Of proceeding was most impoli.
! tic, for il has served TO surround, in American
| eyes at least, set Of maraudcrs with the halo
! Of political naTtyrdom. Justice might have been
satisfied vich less savage punishment and less
! justification would have been given 10 American
hostility As II is. the spapisrds have put into
operation ule utmost rigor Of the law, and the
citizens II The United States ars naturally ey.
aspcrsted--a state Of feeling which is likely 10
create further embarrassment fer the govern
ment Of Cuba. The aggression Of the "sympa.
thizers" has undoubtedly given the greatest pro-
vocation; but an organized government has no
right to be vndictiye, and, as o matter If pru.
dsnce, il would have been far better to avoid o
course 80 likely TO add to the immediate dan
ger The worst cslGnnator Of the Americans
will not accuse them Of want Of courage and
national feeling; nor will they be easily deferred
from future aggression by the punishment Of
their countymep, especially when il has been
inflicted by foreigners,