Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-12-30
THE CUBAN SITUATION

4
THE CUBAN SITUATION.
1t seems almost impossible to OBJ
tain anything like accurate informa-
ton of the exact state, of things in
Cuba. No ineligible and satisfac-
tory statement of the cause Of the
quarrel and the issues which are be-
ing decided in Cuba by the sword
has yet found its way to the public.
We know more of what is going on
in distant Spain itself, and of re-
mote Greece, than We do of what
they are fighting about in this eight
little island that lies right under
our observation. The Captain Gen
eral has so effectually muzzled the
press, and the outlets from the island
appear to be so securely guarded,
that we are left to conjecture as to
the causes of instruction, and re-
ceive only vague and conflicting
statements of its progress. The
fact, however, that it is not yet sup
pressed, suggests that the movement
is of more magnitude and impor
lance than the authorities have as
cribed to it, and whether it be sup
pressed or not, the existence in the
island of elements of disaffection
so difficult to overcome is not fa-
vorable to the idea of the perpetui-
ty of Spanish power in that colony.
The Madrid correspondent of the
London Times expresses confidently
the belief that the declamatiOns of
the partisans of immediate and I'M
conditional emancipation in Spain
have produced some commotion
among the shareholders of Cuba.
Others maintain that the unwise
policy which Spain has pursued of
governing Cuba with the sole and
single idea of wringing from it as
much tribute as it could be made to
yield, and totally ignoring the ma
tive Cubans in the distribution of
official patronage, has led those dis
affected by these causes to avail
themselves of the revolution in
Spain to strike blow which might
lead to a redress of grievances, or
possibly to independence. Gen.
eral Dulce, the newly appointed
Captain General of Cuba, has sailed
from Cadiz for Havana with rein
forcements, but he can hardly ar
rive before the middle of January.
Official announcement has been
made in Madrid that the election of
the Cuban deputies to the Cortes
will be held after his arrival; but
unless the revolution is crushed be
fore that time, it can scarcel i be
pacified by so tardy and inadequate
| a method of redressing inequalities
fand wrongs. Gen. Dulce, however,
has administered tn rnment of
Cuba before, with great acceptance
to the people as well as the govern
ment, and if any one, by personal
popularity, as well as proprietary
interests, in the Island, can bring
matters to an amicable adjustment,
he is the man.
| 1t is curious that while Spain was
getting up a revolution, Cuba should
go into the same business on he1
own account, and it would be edify-
ing to know how Gen. Dulce can
condemn the Cubans for rebellion
when he has just been committing
the same crime at hone. Or is il
the failure in which the iniquity O.
rebellion consists ? Another con
Trajectory thing is the sympathy
manifested in the United States fol
Cuba and at the same time for Spain
Our hearts appear to be large enough
to hold both combatants, thCpgl
{ possibly before we go into hysteric:
over the Cuba movement, it nigh
be well enough to ascertain, in view
Of the possibility of its being a re
: volt against emancipation, whethe
l we are not weeping on the wrong
q /