The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-23
War Clouds In the South-The Crisis I'm the
Questions Of Cuba, Mexico aud Central


Questions Of Cuba, Mexico aud Central
America.
The mass Of concurrent evidence from Wash
ington, from Mexico and from Cuba, which We
have published within the last day or two, de-
monstrates beyond peradventure that serious
complications are gathering within the American
Mediterranean, and pretty plainly indicate that
We shall be carried into war il We do not act
with promptitude and energy in the premises.
There is not the slightest doubt that England
and France have some grand scheme on foot an
tagonistic to our national interests, and that Ma
pier Ouseley, Sariiges and the whole bundle Of
European agents at Washington. have been en-
gagged in a combined attempt to hoodwink our
government and deceive the President. Their in
,rigues in regard 10 Central America are pal
pablo enough but the new move OF Spain upon
Mexico, in which she is no doubt egged on by the
Anglo French alliance Of which she is merely the
catspaw threatens TO be q very serious affair.
We are told that our government has
ssked the Spanish Minister for explanations re-
garding the intentions Of bis government In its
demonstrations against Mexico, and Of course he
will be as diplomatic as Lord Napier and Sir
Vim. Gore Ousclcy have been in regard to Gen.
trail America. Fair words, virtuous intentions,
and an abundance Of amicable assurances, which
are all humbug.
What has Spain against Mexico. more than We
have. or England. or France? What has she
against Mexico more than we have against Spain
herself? She has insulted our government i'm
prisoned our consuls. and robbed our citizens In
Cuba Wherefore. then, this virtuous indigna-
ton which prompts her 10 send feet and three
thousand soldiers TO take possession Of the Gulf
ports Of Mexico before cxhausting the usual
forms of diplomatic reclamation II il because
there are grand schemes Of European protcc
toraies on foot. and determination TO change
IL possible. the evident future that awaits the re-
gions lying upon the American sthmus
The time has come when our government
should act in these questions at once, or
prepare for discontinue in its policy and
disgrace for IL inaction. The complica-
tons contemplated in the Os,end Manifesto
are gathering around u.s. We republirh to-day
in another column. that document in order to
refresh the public mind. The truths which It
set forth in 1854 have become developed and
are more pressing to-day than they were then
Tho acquisition Of Cuba by the United States Is
more important now than ever before II il
equally in the interest ofSpan 20 sell II at this
time. for the first qua fired in the Gulf Of Mexico
will awaken echoes that cannot be lulled till she
l. driven from her present hold on the American
islands. The people Of Cuba now, more than
ever. desire the transfer. The system Of immi-
grafton practised there il stil tbe. same and the
African slave trade. that opprobrium Of humani-
ty. still houIishcs. Cuba lie better prepared for
scrvile war and Authorization, with her thou
sands Of bozal negroes and Chinese and Yucatan
Indians, and organized black troops, than ever
she was before. And, with one exception. spain
has redrcsscd none Of her injuries to our citizens
and insults 10 our flag.
II Is time that the Ostend policy were acted
upon. not only as regards Cuba, but also in
regard to Mexico and Central America. And
We would have IL acted upon in an honest out
spoken and fearless manner. We have nothing
to gain by secret diplomacy, or by hiding
our course from the world. Every civilized
nation will be benefited by the extension Of our
rule over Cuba. Mexico and Central America
They will be at once brought by ms into contra
tcrni,y with the great republic Of Commerce,
and contribute vastly to augment the produc-
tions Of the world and the exchanges Of trade
We should have no pucrile skittishness about