The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-20
The Crisis I'm the Island Of Cuba.

The Crisis In the Island OF Cuba
The important news from Cuba published
in the HERALD of these last few days leaves
little room to doubt that the instruction win
triumph and that speedily. Its progress thus
far has been remarkably rapid and extensive;
the whole Of the eastern department is in the
hands Of the revolution, except few coast
towns where the government troops are closely
cooped up. The railroad between Nuevitas
and Puerto Principe has been cut and train
captured, but all pillage and brigandage is
promptly and severely repressed. The
negroes are still working on the plantations
and are neither hindered nor injured.
Taeir masters and the wealthy classes freely
launch into the cause and risk their all.
We know that fifteen thousand improved rifles
have been shipped from an Eastern port Of
this country to the insurgents, and more are
to follow. The authorities of Puerto Principe
arrested many wealthy Cuban residents; but,
in retaliation, the insurgents captured several
Spaniards and effected an exchange. Thus
1t would seem that the power Of Spain-not
merely the sway Of Isabella Ills about to
vanish; and the Goddess Of Liberty is to set
the Pearl of the Antilles on her more noble
brow.
There are, however, some facts and sta
tistics that it will be well to bear in mind.
The total area of Cuba is, in round numbers,
forty-ive thousand square miles; but, as to
the population of the two departments white,
free colored and slave population-the fol-
lowing figures are Suggestive
Me. Whites Coorei. s7aue. don.
e einsurgens "... 1000 100000 $4,000 $4,000 2Aooo
tstili loyaI. 5000 $4,000 $4,000 $4,000 77sooo
Total 5000 47s,0o l7s,CoO 1000 i,oasoOo
In Cuba, as in all tropical countries the
planter and his household seek the CONNER
cial and manufacturing centres for an abode.
There is more comfort, more society, more
news, more Intercourse with the developed
world and its civilization such as the latter is.
Hence the Western Department of Cuba must
be looked to as the seat of power, wealth and
intelligence. Until that part of the island
declares itself we shall remain ignorant Of
Cuban policy. No statesman will look
to the weaker portion Of community
to learn its policy; nor will he look
upon calm and quiet attitude as evil
dence of weakness. This calm and quiet
attitude is that of the Western Department of
Cuba, and it is strengthened by the support Of
European power. llpraise and credit is due to
the insurgents for themanner in which they have
put down pillage and brigandage, as well as
for their strict adherence to the laws Of war
in the present struggle. But is not the threat
to burn the plantations and property of such
as aid the government plain enough to warn all
who have anything to lose that their wisest
policy is to enter into the independence
scheme-the annexation scheme, if we will
and abide the event? If the American gov
eminent check ilibustering, or European naval
squadrons show more vigilance and spirit than
our own did against the Confederate pri-
vateers, what certainty is there that the
leaders in this Cuban revolt will not be led or
forced into dangerous straitp We know that
all the wealthy, influential and statesmanlike
residents Of Cuba are anxious to have their
island e9aszsss t. !Rs United States,
Some ara here to secure speedily, il
possible, such an end. Most of their wealth
consists of property that rests Its value on
slave labor. They have fears that annexation
means speedy ruination to them. One of these
men asserts that leading abolition organ here
is compromised in favor Of gradual emancipa-
ton in Cuba; in other words, that Cuba shall
not share the fate of our late Southern States.
The treatment of the latter is set down as
due to their wilful treason and effort to break
up our republic. Cuba has not been disloyal;
she wishes to add pearl to Columbia's crown.
Cubans with such views have been appealed
to for aid in the cause Of the insurgents. It
has been offered on the above grounds, but
refused, as universal freedom is the insurgent
motto. The threat to burn or destroy the
property of those who aid the government has
had its desired effect, and the insurgents de-
serve all praise for the respect they have
shown to the lives and property of neutrals.
But, should General Dulce make his appear
ance in Havana with powerful force, the
revolution might be marched into an ambus-
cade by some Of its very leaders. There
may be those who are riding the storm to
break its fury The news from Spain, how
ever, does not warrant the departure Of any
large force for Cuba, even though Dulce's
interest in Cuba prompt him to urge such q
policy, simply because Spain cannot afford
to part with any troops just now. But these
observations are made from Cuban stand
point Here we need to look at the matter
in another light.
We have several times sought to purchase
Cuba. The island has always been anxious to
annex ITSELF This anxiety Is probably the
cause of the enormous and iniquitous taxation
levied on Cuba and the persistence with which
Spain has refused administrative reforms plain