The Montana post., 1869-03-05
OUR nELArIoss WITH SPAN.

Ii is apparent that we are drifting
rapidly toward complications with Spain
concerning Cuba. The insurrecrion
there has become formidable, threaten
ing revolution in the government Of
that island. The Cubans are signii-
cantly entreating the sympathy Of the
United states by sending envoys
to propitiate our Government, promis-
ing to model their Constitution after
ours, and looking ultimately to annexa
ton. Gen. Grant has given Van Allen
encouragement Congress has a resolus
ton before il looking TO their recogni>
tion Spain has n man>of-war on our
coasts seeking to intercept vessels carry
ing men and munitions To the insur-
gents, and the Madrid Government hav
ing declared il would fight for the con-
troll of Cuba with $4,000 men, rather
than have the Cubans achieve their lib
erty, posts in hot haste its first Minister
at London 10 Washington TO look after
the Spanish interests. While our offs
cial relations with Spain are friendly,
the synpathies OF the country, unnatu-
rally excited by a desire for the acquisi-
tion. are all with the CubAns. General
a
crisis in our relations with Spain. So
long as the United States preserves a
perfect neutrality there is plain sailing.
but the occasion of an important success
by the Cubans will be urgently pressed
for their recognition as belligerents, and
the United States, by its proximity and
associations will be the first great power
impelled To action on the question. The
change in Captain Generals and the
confessed inability of the Spanish troops
to more than garrison the principal
cities, leads TO the belief that unless the
strength and success of the Cubans has
been mistaken, the bull will have to be
taken by the horns, and that speedily.
The Cubans assert that all they ask is
"fair play" The home government
having revolutionized and remodeled it's
government, they claim the same
privilege. And why notf The
Spanish government of Cuba is
more tyrannical than the Isabella
government was toward the
Spanish people. They have no interests
in common, and the trade with Spain is
compulsory and oppressive, the Spanish
government protecting it's importations
and expectations by the most oppressive
duties against other countries. AS an in
stance: flour from SPAIN pays duty OF
50 so per barrel; from the United States
$3.50 and $3.50 per barrel. For this
kind of protection from q remote gov
eminent. Cuba pays n revenue of $751;
OO0. 900 or $20.000.000 per annum, and
is under the administration of foreign of.
fcers. supported by 10000 foreign SOL
disry. In the event OF an attempt TO
capture the island. Spain could not pro-
tect it a month against any of the great
powers 1t Is natural dependency OF
the United States; q menace under
fereign power. ms was shown during the
war OF the hebellion; a key to the Gulf
States under ours. At this juncture
Spain is not in favorable condition TO
enforce It's authority, the several fac
tions at home having not yet had sa-
tiety of bloodshed and waiting only ia
vorably opportunity for a revolution not
so peaceab.e as that which dethroncd
Isabella. Ordinarily, the Cuban revol
would have been a counter irritant to
distract attention from domestic troub-
les. and harmonize all contending par
ties for It's protection. Such does not