The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-16

Spain upon the African slave trade and African |
slavery in Cuba, does it not behoove our ad-
ministration instantly to demand Of the British
government an explanation in the premises! II
there is justification for the belligerent atti-
tude of England and France against the de-
signs of Russia, as supposed to be concealed in
the mysterious movements Of Prince Menschi-
koff at Constantinople, how much stronger the
right and the duty of our immediate interposi-
ton in matter affecting our interests so closely
as the future destiny Of the island of Cuba.
Nor is the second specification of our present
indictment inferior in Importance to the first.
In fact. it may be blended with the first as but
feature Of q grand, comprehensive program
me for the maintenance Of European balance
of power upon this continent of North America.
In this view, then, we present this second
branch of our subject, to wit The fact Of
an extraordinary understanding of friendship
and sympathy between Santa Anna and Spain,
and the probability Of an alliance, offensive and
defensive, between them, contemplating the re-
sistance, by arms, Of the further extension
southwark of the boundaries of these United
States.
On the return of Santa Anna from his exile,
and import Of his reception at Havana, we pre-
sented to our readers, from all the circumstan-
ces and disclosures attending his recall to power
our suspicious Of warlike understanding on
his part with the Court Of Madrid. The Diario
Of Havana oracularly spoke Of his purpose to
consider the unity and preservation Of the
Spanish race as the basis of his policy in Mexico,
Subsequently we have adverted to the broad
hints thrown out by the Diario Espanol, Of
Madrid, in connection with hebelligerent move
ments Of Santa Anna, as supporting our original
conclusions And now we have further informa-
ton. and more directly to the purpose.
1t appears that Spain is not only strengthen
ing her int rior and maritime detences of Cuba
with remarkable liberality and activity, but it
is said-and the information comes from various
sources--that such is her sense OF security in
the island, that she has detailed several vessels
of war to Vera Cruz. What business have they
there at this crisis? If this report be correct,
we may conjecture that Spain is fulfilling
contract with Santa Anna for the supply of ord
nance. small arms, and munitions of war; We
shall know the truth upon this point, however,
in sufficient season for all practical purposes;
but in the interim, the we'll authenticated
movements of British and Spanish cruizers
strongly suggest the necessity of correspond
ing vigilance in the Cult on the part of our
Navy Department. If Mr.. Dobbin is still rusti-
eating among the pine barrens of North Carroll
ma, we trust he is not beyond the reach of the
news of the day, and that he will promptly re-
turn to his post and look up the scattered frag
ments of the Home Squadron.
There is a friendly understanding between
Spain and Santa Anna. This is conceded by
the Spanish official organs at Havana and Mad
rid. There is feeling of unsatisied hostility
against the United States, and burning dis
position for revenge against us entertained by
Santa Anna. He has substantially avowed it;
and the immense army he is collecting indi-
Gates larger field Of military operations than
the suppression Of the struggling revolution
lists and border savages. There is an anxious
and very uneasy feeling Of distrust and hatred
ofthis country by all true Spaniards, officials and
pathy with their brethren of the same national
stock and of the same church, in Mexico.
These are the nnanninhls n.ots, WHICH give TO
all these startling rumors from Havana de-
gree of Importance to which otherwise they
would not be entitled.
All that is required to make the cause of Mex
leo and Cuba the common cause of Spain and
Santa Anna is the consummation Of the al
legged understanding entered into. whereby the
policy Of England shall be established in Cuba.
In that event, while her navy will inevitably
be required to protect the island, Spain will be
very apt to imagine herself sufficiently secure
to lend helping hand to Santa Anna. Al
ready, indeed it is alleged that Spanish officers
are filing places near the person and in the
army Of Santa Anna" And when we consider
the fact that the debt of Spain gives to England
lien upon Cuba, and that the sixty millions
due to British creditors from Mexico render
her interest in that country cash investment,
we may possibly account for her apparent APP
prehensions of the doctrine of I" manifest desti-
n.y." so widely entertained in this Union. We
cannot move our god Terminus further South
without trenching upon English claims and Eng
lish creditors against Spain or against Mexico.
We presume that our government is duly ad-
vised of all these things and we shall expect
some speedy action from Gen. Pierce and his
cabinet in proportion to the exigencies sug-
gested. Let our President demand an explana-
ton of England in reference to Cuba. and
watch the occasion for a similar demand upon
Spain respecting Mexico if the occasion has not
already arrived. A proper vigilance may pre-
vent a general war; a delusivc sense of secu-
rity may, upon some fine morning find us
locked in and locked out of the Gulf of Mexico.
We earnestly invoke the prompt and serious at
tention of the administration to the threatening
aspect of our present relations with Cuba, Mex
leo, England and Spain.
TUE C'tpAN JrNT APTT JNn Rrruopc