The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-29
what Is to Become or Cubas

The news from Spain, Havana and Wash
is approaching when the sale of the sever
faithful isle" to the United States may be
accomplished. 1t is evident that the dstur-
Dances in Cuba are of different character to
what has been represented by the authorities
there. 1t appears that quite battle has been
fought between the regular troops and the in
surgents, and that though the latter were
defeated, according to the account by telegram
coming through the hands of the government,
the latter were not so badly beaten as to pre-
vent them from carrying away their killed and
wounded. Our Washington dispatches say,
too, that facts have leaked out there showing
that the movement is neither an uprising Of
thieves and plunderers, as represented by the
Captain General, nor a demonstration conse-
quent upon the revolution in Spain altogether,
but Is the result Of a combination formed an
terror to the movement in the old country,
having In view the independence Of Cuba.
Many of the leading men Of the island
were Ia this conspiracy. Though the move
ment may have failed from preciptating
it too early, the seeds of dissatisfaction
and revolution remain. Then II is known that
almost all the Cubans In the United States--a
people--are In favor of shaking OF the Spanish
yoke and being annexed to this country. This
ardent desire for independence and annexation
has not been suddenly inspired, but has been
long cherished and is widespread. Should the
revolutionary condition Of Spain become COM
plicated and continue, or the colonial govern
ment be oppressive, the Cubans may yet sue
coed in establishing their independence. The
history Of the former colonies Of European
Powers on this Continent shows that in revolu-
tionary times it becomes almost impossible to
hold these distant possessions. Revolution is
contagious, and the love Of liberty and indie
pendence is deep seated on this side the At
lantic.
1t is significant, too, in connection with the
movements In Cuba, that Spaniards OF adj
vanced liberal ideas in Spain advise the sale Of
Cuba to tho United States as the most direct
and speedy method of solving the question Of
slavery. This we learn by our telcgraphio
dispatches from Madrid. We think IL likely the
liberal minded and seeing men Of Spain may
take this sensible view Of the matter. To bold
Cuba would require, probably, large stand
ing army and the expenditure Of vast sums Of
money. Spain is not ia condition to bear
this. Besides, it would DO in conflict with the
new order Of things in that country. The
strongest motive for holding Cuba has been
found in the enormous income derived by the
! royal family from the island aud the oppor-
tunity it afforded for giving places and for
tunes to favorites Of the government. Under
republic or libcral monarchy such motive
ought not TO exist or have any weight. Then
| by selling Cuba to the United States Spain
| would be relieved from the responsibility and
cost OF abolshing slavery and would know that
this would be accomplished through the Ameri
can government II would DO an easy aud a
| prompt solution Of the slavery question. With
| regard to The value Of Cuba for Its commerce,
Spain would be q gamer by turning the island
over to this country. Just a. the United States
] have become more valuable 10 British CON-