The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-04

"
said that is Mr.. Fish, we suppose -believes
that the British Government would not bs
likely TO take any step that would bring~it
into collision with Spain or any other R9ro-
pean power while the Alabama claims remain
suspended over 1t. Then, it is said. 40 far
from drtadipg the recognition of Cuban belli-
gerent rights by Kngland, he would re0ard Il
as favorable circumstance, and caleulated
to lead to the early acquisition of Cnba nv
this country and the injury of British com
merce.
We take It for granted that these are the
views OF our Secretary of State, for thev ara
characteristic and crude enough. We agree
with him, and think it not likely that the
British Government is contemplatin nj nra-
sent the recognition of Cuban belliSereney.
bat not for the reasons he assigns. Eooland
is not afraid of war with Spain or any other
European power for such action Thera is not
the least reason to fear. Spain is not In a
condition to go to war, and would not make
that q cause of war. Nor would any other
European power trouble itself to maintain the
authority OF Spain over Cuba, or interfere in
the least in the matter. A war with Spain
seems to be the bugbear in Mr.. Fish's mind.
He has not the least comprehension of the
situation or limited power of Spain nor of the
Cuban question in an international point of
view. Though respectable gentleman. he is
a timid old fogy, and utterly unfit for Score
tary of State ofthis mighty republic. Though,
speaking OF Spain going to war with England
should the belligerent rights of Cuba be re-
cognized by the latter, he evidently had in
his timid mind the silly apprehension of such
an event with this country should our Gov
ernment take the step first. Such puerility,
timidity, and want Of comprehension in our
Secretary of State are enough to make every
American indignant and blush for shame for
the humiliating position his country is
placed in.
If even England were disposed to take the
first step in recognizing the Cubans as bslli-
gerents, there is no reason, as Mr.. Fish Justly
says, to dread that. Indeed, we ought to look
at it favorably. Nor do we think il would
prevent the acquisition Of Cuba by the United
States hereafter; for that is written down in
the book of manifest destiny. But England
might gain great advantages both to her com :
merce and prestige in Cuba and throughout
the Antilles, and in that point of view the
British Government is quite capable of COM
pretending its interests and acting upon them
should no higher political considerations
deter it from such action. England will
never act from sympathy with the cruelty
oppressed and struggling patriots of Cuba;
but she might from self-interest, should she
see her way clear to head Off the United
States and to weaken our influence over the
Cubans and throughout the Antilles. AS a
We could almost wish that England would
take the lead in recognizing the Cubans as
bslligerents. We could wish this were it not
for the shame and damaging effect it would
bring upon our country. Let US talk no more
of the Monroe doctrine, of sympathy with any
brave people struggling for their independ-
ence, of an American system OF policy for the
American Continent, or of the power and
dominating grandeur of our great republic, il
we do not promptly accord to the Cubans bel
| ligerent rights. There never was a worse and
more cruel despotism than that of Spain over
people who are our neighbors, whose inte-
rests are closely united with ours, and who
have no ties or sympathy with their rulers OF
the old European world; yet we hesitate to &C.
cord the boon of belligerent rights to them.
The world will treat us with contempt for oul
weakness and stupidity; for we fail in magma
nimity, in oomprehending our own interests,
and in perceiving when the hour of destiny
points so plainly to the opportunity and ne
cessity for action. Would to heaven that we
had at this particular time an American states.
man like Bsmaik or Napoleon at the helm o.
affairs! Then Cuba would soon be free, and
the foundation would be laid for grand and
progressive American policy worthy of s
mighty nation.