The New York herald., 1869-06-22

A~O NOW NUvcruOr tOr C~~e "~
status Of the War-A Question for the
Administratisns s-,
Within the next three days the newly-ap-
pointed Captain General of Cuba will probably
arrive at Havana. The personal character
and impulses Of q commander in-chief always
impress themselves on his forces and generally
give tone to the contest in which he is en-
gagged. This, we doubt not, will be the case
with the present new conner to America, and as
the question In which he Is to be engaged is an
American one 1t becomes us to examine the
new elements be brings to the field. The field
itself presents double question-that Of the
freedom Of Cuba proclaimed by the patriots,
and the less direct issue brought forward by
the Havana volunteers in deposing the au-
thorities sent from the mother country and
demanding the installation of new order Of
things in the remnant Of Spanish rule.
General Caballero de Rodas is not an un-
known soldier. His course in 1854, during
some temporary disturbances in the peninsula,
and more recently in the democratic disturb
ances at Malaga and Cadiz, gained for him the
epithet of ''the butcher" from the popular
voice, and it is said he likes the nickname.
he is In the prime of life and physical energy,
well skilled in his profession, and bears the
reputation of being remorseless, cruel and vim
dictive. In civil life he has had no experience,
and comes for the first time to administer q
government around which gather many of the
highest questions Of international law and do
mestic policy. With these qualities we believe
he viii exactly suit the volunteers Of Havana,
and therefore anticipate that he will have no
trouble from them on his arrival in Cuba.
What effect on the military situation bis advent
viii produce will probably depend as much on
qualities. On the character of the war now
going on in that island we think his coming
will produce marked effect, and one that is
worthy Of every mans consideration.
The war In Cuba is being carried on by the
Spaniards in most relentless spirit. The
wounded are slaughtered as they lie on the
field, and all prisoners are reported to have
been shot while attempting to escape. Spanish
authorities claim that the patriots pursue the
same practices, but recent advices from the
field prove this not to be 80. The crime of
General Dulce in the eyes of the volunteers
was that he was too merciful to traitors, and
in their view every man is traitor who Is
born in Cuba. We may therefore believe that
the coming of General Rodas viii not add
humanity to the struggle, and herein there is
q point which nearly affects our own govern
ment. The events of every day are proving
that our citizens are taking part in the war, in
which the great principles involved address
themselves to the American heart; and the
great question forces itself upon the admins
tration, In what light shall they be held, and
what attitude will be assumed towards them
by us2
Claiming as we do that the war is just
war, we hold that every American citizen has
the right individually to expatriate himself
and take part in it. In so doing be accepts
the wage of battle and the laws Of war, and
must abide by the result. Victory or death
are free alike to come to him upon the battle
field. His former government cannot inter
fere after he has left our shores to protect or
shield him from them. But there is duty
which our government should perform, step
which it should take, and that is, 1t should see
that the laws Of war are respected and that
the practices of the victor do not go beyond
those justified by humanity. If Spain insists
upon numbering the wounded, shooting prison.
ers and executing those who voluntarily sur
render themselves, she places herself beyond
the pale of civilized nations and merits the
execration of the world. Let the government
at Washington look to this, for the issue is
coming upon them.