The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1854-06-07

PANIsH PREPARATIONS FOR H DE-
TENSE OF CUBA-EsTIMATE OF THE
RESULTS
IcorresPondenes of the Loadon Times.l
Madrid, May 10th, 1854.
The 5000 men ordered to the West
Indies will sail in three divisions of
1900 each, under their regimental of
fcers, and without any General in com
mand, as they are merely to reinforce the
garrisons of colonies already amply pro-
v!ded with officers of high rank. Their
destination is Porto Rico, the garrison
of the island proceeding to Cuba, prob
ably because the men, Injured to the eli
mate will be less liable to disease, hnd
consequently more Immediately efficient
than the new corners. The Spaniards
declare themselves determined to make
a good fight in defense of Cubas4if
fighting there must be, which it is to be
hoped may be avoided. They are in
hopes if not coming off victorious out of
the struggle, at least of infiicting severe
punishment on the aggressor, and of rem
dering the conquest, when achieved, less
profitable to him that than he antiei-
pates. The reinforcement about to be
dispatched will raise the strength of the
army of Cuba to nearly $4,000 men.
Under the Ministry of General Lersun.
di, a very large number of Paxham guns
were sent out to strengthen the defenses
of the island, and great reforms were
introduced into the arms of the infant.
ry, previously of an antiquated and I'm
serviceable description. I am assured
that some of the best troops in tn
Spanish army are o in the island o
Cuba.
am far from overrating the value o
Spanish troops, having seen enough o
them both in the field and in quartars, Il
estimate them at what they are worth
and I do o believe that they coulC
cope, on any thing like equal terms
think they would have much chance i,
the long run against the ill-disciplinet
but well armed, utterly fearless, intelli
gent, self-relying volunteers with whom
the United States are wont to operatt
when at war with their Spanish-Ameri
can neighbors.
If all other means of defense SHOULD
fail, it is not improbable that the Span.
iards would arm first the mulattoes, who
are numerous, and ultimately, if driver
to extremity, a portion of the blacks
the pOhoh Of aohons they tall Of setting
at Liberty, if all hope Of preserving Gu
ba to Spain be extinguished-a desper
ate expedient, the consequence of whicl
would probably be a terrible massacr,
of the whites upon the island, though i
might not prevent the Americans from
ultimately subjugating it. Anothei
means upon which the Spaniards reckon
for annoying and g~ricvously injuring thu
enemy, is the cloud Of pricateers achich
und.r the Spanish flag, they ezpec
scoHM qnickiy coUey the seas. 1t is tina
the consideration of the injury tina
might thus be done % their commerc,
may have a weight with the United
States, and combine with more elevated
motives to make them pause before they
. drive a feeble enemy into a corner, anC
compel him to stand desperately at bay
but the war one engaged, there can b.
little doubt that the Americans nouh
persist, at any price, IN carrying theii
point, and finally soouM attain thei,
object, aeNless Spain found aid from. al
lies more poaceyfuL than herself.