The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-06


Peru, it is known, is one of the most import
ant and hourishing republics of South Anne
rica. II has a larger population than any
other except New Granada, and its action
will soon be followed, no doubt, by the other
republics of that continent Nor will Mexico
be slow in following the example. Indeed, we
NAV expect to hear shortly that the inde-
pendence of Cuba is recognized by all the
nations of America, South and North, except
Brazil and the United States
Brazil, of course, can have no sym
pathy with the Cubans or any other people
struggling for liberty and to establish re-
publican form of government. AS mo-
narchy she is naturally the friend of Spain
and royalty everywhere. Her government is
an anomaly and pernicious exotic on Anne
rican soil. But what of our own Govern
ment? What will the United States do with
regard to Cuba Will it follow the example
of Peru and recognize the. independence of
the Cubans? The encouragement or support
thus given by Peru, or that will be given by
the other smaller republics of America to the
Cubans, will have good effect; but after all
their success and the fate of their rich and
beautiful country may depend upon the action
or inaction of the United States. 1t is true
the Cubans may prolong the struggle, or even
conquer their independence ultimately, with
out the recognition or interposition of the
American Government; but what would Cuba
be worth afterwards What horrors of war
and what terrible sacrifice of life would be
the consequence of such cold-hearted policy?
The question arises here, then, what will
our Government do? We hear from Wash
ington, we hear from different points of the
country where the President and his Cabinet
are perambulating, and we hear indirectly
from the mouths of General Grant and Secre-
tary Fish, that the administration cordially
sympathiZes with the Cubans, and that it is
taking measures to secure their independence
Nor can we doubt that it is so. General
Grant, we feel assured, is sincere and earnest
in his desire to see Cuba free, and the Secre-
tary of State has expressed the same desire
too plainly to doubt his sincerity. Congress
has already spoken in the most emphatic man
ner. The unanimous vote of the House of
Representatives expressing sympathy with the
Cubans was full of meaning, and indicates
further action on the part of Congress when
it reassembles. There is but one sentiment
on this subject throughout the country. The
people of all sections and classes are for the
Cubans, and wish the Government to take
measures for their independence. Why then,
this delay? If it be the policy and determina-
tiOn of the Government and people of the
| United States that Cuba shall be free, why
does the administration hesitate and tempo
| riZe so long? 1t seems to us that the time has
come when the CubanS should be recognized
| as belligerents at least, and thus give them
| the same status and privileges as the Span
iards in the purchase of materials of war. The
| Government did well in placing an embargo
| on the gunboats being constructed here for
| the Spaniards, and it is to be hoped that these
war vessels will not be allowed to leave the
| United States: but it should not stop at this
point Arms and munitions of war are fire.
quently shipped here for the Spaniards in
| Cuba, while the Cubans are denied this privi-
lege. Let the belligerents be put on the
same footing This will neither seriously
affect our peaceful relations or negotiations
with Spain nor the Alabama claims, and might
stir up the Spanish Government to more
prompt settlement of the Cuban question.
Judging from the news which we have re-
ceived lately from Spain, it is evident the
Government at Madrid, as well as the Spanish
press and people, begin to lower their naughty
tone about subiugating the insurrection anC
holding on to the island of Cuba at all llhazards
The latest telegraphic despatch from Madrit
says:-"The journals here are desponden
about Cuba, and demand fuller official informa
ton of the state of affairs on the island" No
can Spain fail to be impressed by the views o.
the leading journals of Europe, which SHOW
that the only solution of the Cuban difficulty
is to turn the island over to the United State
or cede its independence. In every point O.
view, then, we think the time has come wher
our Government should speak in unmistakab
language to the Spanish Regency as to it
policy concerning Cuba and the inevitabl
destiny of that island. Delay may only creat
complications, perpetuate the horrors of
most atrocious system of war, and make tn
island, like st. Domingo, which also was one
the richest gem of the Antilles, comparativel,
valueless to us or to the world. This is tn
, paramount question of the day, and we hop
l the administration will act on it promptly an
with decision