Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-02-03
The New Government de facto in Cuba and
Its Relations.
Ernr, tba Naw yorL HaraId

It's Relations.
From the New York Herald.l
The question of the future political re-
latiens of Cuba is assuming the dimen-
sions of an international affair, and
seems likely to become at an early day
one of the most important of the Ameri-
can Continent. Within the island rev.
olutionary movement has been in pro-
gress since last October, and although
our advices from there come almost en-
tirely through Spanish sources, it is evil
dent from these that the Spanish Govern
ment has lost its hold upon one-half of
the island, excepting only narrow strip
of shore commanded by the guns of its
feet. At the present moment the new
Captain General sent out by the provi-
sional government of Spain is making a
laudsble and strenuous effort to allay the
revolution by the introduction of radical
reforms in the colonial government, but
with doubtful prospects of success. The
wealthy classes ask for something more
than vague generalities, and the popular
masses demand nothing short of imme-
diate and complete revolution.
Outside of the island the question is
producing lively agitation in political
circles. In Washington anxious eyes
are turned to Cuba, as the key of the
arc of coastwise navigation on our Allan.
tic shore and the recent sudden
springing Of protectorste question in
the House Of Representatives would not
have met so ignominious failure as it
did had its promoters contemplated the
broader basis which was open to them
in this movement in Cuba. The Mexi-
can Cabinet is also taking an active in
terest in the subject, and has recently
sent a special agent, Senior Zenea, to this
country as the special confidant of its
views and wishes. A smaller but not
entirely Insignificant element in the COM
plcation is the Dominican republic,
where the anti-Spanish party is on the
eve of triumph over the government of
President Baez. The island, lying as it
does between the Spanish islands of Gu
ba and Porto Rico, possesses ready
means of danger to the Spanish forces
which promise to be brought into play
at an early day, while the leading
journals of Mexico openly announce
that no neutrality laws bind their shores,
and they owe Spain a grudge.
In Mexico the question is already put
forward as one Of annexation of Cuba to
the Mexican republic, while among the
Dominieans, at hohe and in the revolu-
tionary service in Cuba, it assumes the
form of West Indian confederation.
No word of annexation to the United
States is breathed by the Cuban revolu-
tionists, and thus far President Cespedes
seems to have carefully abstained from
sending an authorized agent to Washing
ton. This arises from the opinion preva-
lent in Cuba and among Cubans else
where that in former efforts to attain in
dependence, whenever they have confided
their hopes and views to members of the
Washington Cabinet, from Fillmore's
time down TO that of Buchanan, they have
been betrayed to the Spanish Govern
ment, and have found the Government
of the United States their most persistent
enemy. Whether the new political COM
binations now terminating in the coun-
tries south of us will crystalize into some
thing effective and tangible, yet remains
to be seeu; but our Government will do
well not to close its ears and its eyes to
the voices and signs that come to us from
Cnba, Mexico and st. Domingo.
As regards Cuba, the subject Of most
interest 10 us now is the course Of the
revolution and the character of the meH
who control it. The continuous efforts
of Spain for four months to subdue the
revolution have been futile, aud the blow
recently struck with such great cost and
effort at Bsyama, the seat Of the revolu-
tionary government. has fallen harmless
upon the insurgents and useless 10 the
Spanish government President Ces-
pedes, after sending the women, children