The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-15
Affairs In Cuba-A Slight Correction.

Affairs In Cuba-A Slight Correction.
A very interesting and important article on the
present position of the island Of Cuba, apropos
Of the slave trade, and other matters, appeared
in our editorial columns last Saturday. The
information on which that article was based
was chiefly derived from the statements of Mr..
VIM Sydney Smith, who had but just recently
arrived from the island, en- route to England.
One paragraph. abiding to the revolutionary
sentiment of the creoles, was disclaimed by Mr..
Smith as not emanating from him; and we lind
IN the Spanish organ of this city-la Cronica-
a statement publ he'd at the instance of Mr.
Smith, to the effect that he did not authorize
US to put forward such view, and that in itself
it is not the fact. We readily make the amende
to Mr. Smith for having inconsiderately inter
woven into the article facts derived from other
| reliable sources; but in doing SO, we can only
reiterate with greater force the assertion that
oil classes and conditions of the creoles-of all
ages and sexes-are inyeterately opposed to the
| Spanish domination and only watch the oppor-
tunity of carrying their revolutionary senti-
ments into practical effect.
not upon the mere foundation of probability
and analogical reasoning. There are better
data for our assertions. We have received in
telligence that several informal consultations Of
the Cabinet have been recently held in Wash
ington in which the subject of war was mooted
and it is generally believed among the mem
bers that in the course of few months they
will be able-availing themselves of the pecu-
| liar sensblities and ambition of Santa Anna
| to bring about some collision between the Mex
| lean and American troops and citizens on the
| frontiers, which would eventuate in a general
war between the two countries. The last was
managed in somewhat similar way. 1t came
on suddenly and unexpectedly if, indeed,
by pure accident-and was not the result of q
formal declaration of war by the Congress of
the United States. Some petty border hostil-
ties broke out between the Mexcans and Ame-
ricans arms were had recourse to to repel and
punish the invaders war was thus commenced
and Congress had simply to recognise it and
vote the necessary supplies to carry it out. The
Mesilla Valley, in the present day, may be
easily made to effect the same end All that is
necessary to renew hostilties. is to oc-
cupy the disputed territory with American
soldiers; the Mexicans will certainly resist and
attempt to expel them, and then Congress will
find itselfcoerced either to legitimize the act Of
war, and grant funds to maintain 1T, or else to
disgrace itself in the eyes of the country
There are other reasons which lend more
force and probability to this belief of the de-
e.; - tba Cal;p
government seem to be utterly incapable of de-
vising means to manage the surplus revenue.
But with the Mexican war this could be easily
done. They could then find vent for that and
great deal more. And the employment of
thirty or forty millions of dollars in this way
would furnish splendid opportunities for every
single member of the administration to gorge
himself and make his fortune. Then. too as
we said at first. the war would divert public
attention from the abominable spoils system of
the administration. and from the utter neglect
they have shown to the other foreign affairs of
the country Is there not therefore, a high
great degree of likelihood in the intelligence
we have received? and does not this scheme
seem to offer an excellent resource for the Cabi-
net to escape fronStheir manifold difficulties?
But nevertheless, a war with Mexico would
not be without its serious difficulties and dan
gers to the country. 1t would most uudoubted-
~ lead to extraordinary difficulties in our rela-
tions with England, to say nothing of the COM
plcaton in which ii would involve us with
France and Spain, who have q secret under
standing with the present government Of Next
,vIt Oh l.
probably party. These European powers have
adopted that policy towards this republic which
they consider best calculated TO affect and in
jure it. 1t consists in creating and fostering
great internal discussions and agitatons in this
country. Besides, too they may imagine that
by stimulating the President of Mexico to court
a war with this country, something may spring
out Of that event which would be productive Of
discomfort and disupion in the United States
1t is we'll known that the last war between this
country and England excited great political
animoeity here, and almost caused the disrup-
ton Of the Federal Union, because it affected
the interests Of one class Of the people. The
last war with Mexico came on US, as we have
said, suddenly, and intelligence Of a peaceful
solution to it was confidently expected week
after week, during the continuance Of hostiities-
No one ever dreamed Of our army marching
upon and occupying the city Of Mexico,
or conquering the country, a. it did The
suddenness of the conquest-unexpected as II
was-naturally astonished all Europe, and
took their governments by surprise; but IL more
particularly caused establishment and vexation
to France, England and Spain That short, de-
cisive and successful war with Mexico came
very near leading to revolution in the island
of Cuba; and any future contest between the
same two nations, In which the United States
should be victorious would Immediately and
assuredly be followed by the breaking out Of
arevolution in Cuba. We know that one Of the
generals who commanded portion Of our army
in Mexico was almost engaged 10 make de