The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-04-04
(Form the Paris Patrie.)
.-s'+t .f' (Form the Paris Patrie.) /
The Threatened War between Spain and
MexicO---Capability of Defending Cuba
Against an Attack from the United

| McXlcOe-.OapaDIlItyO Oh DclenOlnS CuD3
Against an Attack from the United
states. -rs j % 70.
Spanish journals are filled with accounts
of preparations, both in Spain and Cuba, for
the departure to the Mexican coasts of ma
| val force destined to obtain from the Mexi-
can government reparation, long since vainly
demanded for outrages of which the subjects
| Of the crown Of Spain have been victims in
this ever-troubled Republic.
| On learning that the Spanish navy was
about to assume the offensive, when it was
| believed to be scarcely capable of repelling
an unjust aggression, it has been questioned,
especially in the United States, whether this
Spanish demonstration means anything be-
yond boast borrowed from the souvenirs of
chivalry. and ever alive u the s,nsry ofthe
| Gid, or whether Spain is really in position
to make herself respected wherever she is at
tackled '.'
This question is one of the deepest inter-
est in view of the unceasing menaces against
Cuba in the United States, and of the pro-
jects and fillibustering enterprises which have
never been altogether abandoned in New Or
leans and in New York.
Without doubt, England and France will
never consent to the annexation of Cuba to
the Great North American Confederation-
Cuba, in fact, is the key of the Gulf of Mex
leo, as Constantinople is the key of the
Black Sea; and Europe would no more con-
sent to the Gulf Of Mexico being turned into
Yankee Lake, than she would allow the
Black Sea to become Russian lake.
But it would be better if Spain were in a
position to defend her own possessions of the
Antilles, and was not reduced to beg aid
from the great maritime powers to insure re-
spect to her sovereignty.
Upon this point We are fully convinced
not only that Spain can defend Cuba against
the most direct aggression from the United
States, but that this Colony, without any ap
peal to arms in the mother country, is in
position to protect itself alone. In proof of
our assertion, we give the following facts de-
rived from reliable source:
Cuba possesses at this moment an active
army of 10000 infantry and 800 cavalry
besides a reserve of $4,000 infantry and
5000 horse In addition to these, she has
magazines and arsenals from which 10000
men can be equipped in the space ofa month.
AS to the naval force of the island which
would be ready at the outset to Join rein
forcement from the ports of Spain, it con-
sists of ship of-the-line, frigate brig and
two magnificent steamships, capable of car
rying 1000 troops.
Three generals and several superior officers,
belonging to different branches of the SER
vice, are about to be added to the staff of
General Coucha. .. s
We see by these details that the Island of
Cuba is in a condition to repel, not only the
invasiOns of those fillibusters who have not
been discouraged by the fate of Lopez, but
even regular attack by the Naval forces of
the United States, if ever the Government
of that country should attempt to realize by
force the conquest of. Cuba.
[Should the United States go to war with
Spain, they would take the conceit out of
the proud Cubaneros in about one month.