New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-05-29
THE CUBAN REVOLUTION.
SPANISH PRIvIIEGEs-THE CAPrAlN-OLNE"
TREACHERY.
TyROM ORR OWN CORRBSPoNDbNi i
INV" - 80 II tbaee limos il M

- .o,oors nations which evidently prevail IN
49,. 80 ,oonv in your quarter with reference
~ China in IFS relations or connection with Spain
The fevy who condemn the Cuban Revolution do
~ chiefly on the grounds of its having been COM
msnced at a period when the sole causes Of discon-
tent-the only grievanccs-had disappeared, when,
after her own glorious revolution. Spain had gener-
ously tendorsi friendly hand to Cuba giving her
the same rights and privileges which she had won
for herself, when, in fact, nothing remained
for Cuba to desire. She would be a colony no longer
but prOrince of Spain. Cuba should forget and for
give, Spain was to amend.
Cuba province Of Spain What sarcasm! Asfacts
and figures are the most convincing Of arguments
will endeavor briefly to show how the word " Prov
nco" was substituted for that of Colony" without
in the slightest degree affecting the condition of this
ill-governed country. Cuba, You are daily told
by the Havana press is az intregal part Of Spain
as is Castillo, Catalina, or AragOn let us, however,
inquire: How is it then that Cuban produce pays
such high duties In Spain and that all goods
from there are subjected to import duty
in Cuba If she be a Province why this
distinction between the province called Cuba. and
her sister European proyincesi when the products
of the latter circulate duty free from one into the
other,
Universal suffrage was established in Spain. All
the provinces elected their members to the CoTtes"
10 decide upon the form Of Government. Was this
privilege made EXTENSIVE to Cuba No. Gen. Dulce,
otter much hesitation and loss of time issues q
decree whereby only those paying taxes beyond
certain sum would have right to vote-negroes
altogether excepted This law virtually excluded
the entire rural population and the large orders Of
wOrkmen in cigar factories, composed of natives,
consequently the only Cubans who were allowed to
vote were planters and owners of real estate
A. -. Iea1fr lvrg
declaring that they would not avail themselves of
this liberty. The elections were therefore abandoned
on the plea that perfect order did prevail through
out the island The Provinces Of Spain by the fact
of their being represented at the "Cortes,' have
direct share in their own taxation and expenditure
Is this the case with Cuba3 The Madrid Government
loves heavy contributions subject only to the fancy
OF caprice Of its representatives here and moreover
in the Budget Of SPAN is invariably insert
ed an important item called {" SObrante," or
Surplus" from Cuba, which this poor Island
must yield in addition to expenditure of $780,
OOO-aclnowledged, but in reality nearer $G6OOOOOO-
if We take into account the large sums which disap-
pear in the hands ofhungry officials to say nothing
of an extra million or So to allow the Home Govern
ment the luxury Of some ambitions though unsuc-
cessfu campaign, such as the Mexican intervention,
the conquest of Sauto Domingo or the naval exploits
on the Pacific coast.
After the glorious November Revolution, would
1t not have seemed natural that the prominent
inhabitants of the new province should be called to
GIL some of the principal Government posts in
country which they had the advantage of being thor
Oughly acquainted with In reply to this query, it
is only necessary to remind your readers Of the ar
rival Of Gen. Dulce with 800 and odd newly appointed
employees, wholly unfit to fulfill the duties of their
office. .
Liberty of the press and of worship; Liberty of
speech; Liberty of Association; the inviolability
Of private dwellings and correspondence trials by
jury abolition of capital punishment for all political
ohenses These were the recognized principles of
the Revolutionary Government guaranteed to all
provinces in their liberal manifest They have been
granted TO Spain; but. may / ask which has been
granted to Cubai Only the partial liberty of
the press and liberty of association OF right to hold
public meetings both with the most iniquitious de-
sign as will be shown hereafter, A few days after
Gen. Dulce's arrival it was officially announced
that the press would be allowed free discussion
on all topics save Slavery and the Catholic
dogma. fiscal judge was appointed
to decide upon any ufractOn Of the decree, which
stipulated certain fines and penalties for the differ
ent offenses This at once dispeled the hesitatOns
of many writers Who relying on the good faith Of
the Government, gave free vent to their opinions.
Hundreds of small newspapers pamphlets, &c,
made their appearance. Bitter truths were said to
the Spanish authorities; yet never was there any
notice taken by the judge, nor did the Government
in any way show that it considered their authors as
having overstepped the prescribed limits. Gen.
Dulce, having attained his object, by inveigling
Cuban writer's into an open aYOwal of their feel
lngs suddenly changes his tactics, and sup
presses the liberties granted, on the plea
that they have been abused, and that the country
was unprepared to receive them. would here re-
mind your readers of the remarkable article pub
lished at the time in la Terdad and headed " La
situaciono The great sensation which this publica-
tion produced and its immense circulation $4,000
copies having been sold in a couple of days.
Rttests how truly the grievances and aspirations
Of the Cubans were therein depicted. The
pane of the author, although surmised by
many, not revealed 70 the public, for anticipat-
Ing the subsequent conduct of the Government he
wisely enjoned secresy TO his friends. Several Cuban
writers who during that brief period Of liberty ex
pressed their sentiments, were fortunately warned
IN time of the Captain-Generals intentions, and
sought refuge abroad whereas the Others who re-
manned in the Island were afterward arrested, and
some are now on their way 10 Fernando Pc. With
regard TO the liberty Of association / viii merely
state that tie few who awaited themselves of it only
succeeded in becoming conspicuous IN the eyes
Of the Government with similar results. Thus
1t Is shown that the two meager liberties
granted by Gen. Dulce, proved merely to have been
Imeasure on his part to eutrap those who unwisely
trusted to his good fifth.
Cuba has often been deceived, yet i cannot recall
Imore base or trcacherous proceeding than the one
iesorted to in this instance.
THE QUARREL BETWEEN NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
AND CORRUPTION THE FERNANDO PO PRIs-