Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-07-31
ENGLAND.
Spain and the Sale of Cuba TO the
United states.

United states.
From the London Times, July Is.
Under such circumstances it would
hardly seem desirable for Spain to pro-
long the contest After the failure of the
experiment tried by General Dulce it
must be evident that the system Of send
ing public functionaries from Madrid to
batten on the colony will have to be
given up. Something like progress to-
wards an enlightened commercial policy
will soon become necessity for revolu-
tlonized Spain, and, upon the introduc-
ton OF more liberal tariffs, it will be
difficult for the -four of CASTLE to keen
up competition with that from New
Orleans, or for the manufacturers of Ca
talonia to monOpolize the markets of tho
Antilles If all that comes to pass, it is
impossible to see of what. earthly use
Cuba can any longer be to Spain, unless
it be to crafty national pride by the
maintenance Of dominion which is
disputed in the teeth of some 10000 or
$4,000 Of Spain's besttrOOps. 1t seems but
reasonable to think that considerations
of this nature must have some weight
with the men now guiding the destinies
of the Spanish monarchy, and make them
doubt whether Cuba does not cost them
much more than it is worth, and whether
Its loss almost under any terms might
not be counted clear gein. Already
nearly all lar-sighted statesmen in Spain,
with Ten. Prim at their head, have ex,
pressed their firm conviction that the
separation of the colony from the mother
country is only question of time. A
just feeling of pride prevents any step
lh that direction beirg taken so long as
lnsurreetion trusts to arms for the sue.
cess Of its cluse. But upon the pacifcaS
ton Of the island being effected, and
Spanish honor receiving the fullest satis-
faction, it would seem natural that the
dictates Of wisdom should be listened to.
Cuba is valuable property, Spain is hard
up for cash, and purchaser is at hand.
Able negOtiators would be at no loss for
compromise which, while sparing the
just snsceptibilities of the Spanish ma
ton, could induce it to yield trouble
some sovereignty for q consideration
which might afford the means for re-
storing its shattered finances and cOns
solidating its revolution. 1t is important
for Spanish statesmen to think of it, nor
is it quite certain that they are not
thinking of it. The intercourse between
the new Spanish government and the
cabinet at Washington is carried on on
the most cordial and friendly terms.
Notwithstanding the untiring efforts Of
Cuban refugees, and the zeal of Irish
and German adventurers in their cause,
the American government has dealt in
the matter with great loyalty and ups
rightness, and its efforts to discOunte-
nance sympathy and to prevent aid to
Cuba have almost entirely succeeded in
putting an end to flibustering expedi>
tions. When the pear is thoroughly
ripe and ready to fall it would be a
proof of unwise impatience to shake the
tree. If Cuba is to become American it
must be for the interest OF her future
masters that she should come into their
hands as little ravaged and wasted by
civil strife as can be found practicable.
Apart from scruples about high princi-
pies of nationality and popular sovereign
ty,i is an arrangement thatwould suit all
interested parties Canvass the population
of the island, and the ple6iScite would
give only one result-a vote for annexa-
ton to the American Union. We have
said the "rear population, for, after all,
Cuba should be for the Cubans, and the
"Peninsulars," if the new order of things
were less to their taste, have always
their own country to fall back upon. The
only serious question, rising about the
scheme are, whether the Americans can
at this moment afford the purchase
money, and whether Spanish statesmen,
if they themselves understand reason, can
easily bring their people to view the mat
ter with their own eyes. 1t is for the
advantage ofbOth hemispheres, we think,
that each of the tive should follow its
own course untrammeled by the inter-
ference Of the other. Spain, like Russia
and Denmark, may well consent to sell
the remainder of her birthright to her
Transatlantic possessions. 1t is only too
fortunate for her that she should still
have anything left to sell.