Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-03-23
LAGLISU VIEWS OF THE CUBAN
SITUATION.

SITUATION.
The London Times of the Sd
instant has a very long article upon
the Cuban instruction, which, while
considering the American accounts
from the seat of war as too favora-
bic to the insurgents, and the Span
ish accounts as equally exaggerated
on the other side, concludes that,
making allowance for all these,
enough remains to make us doubt
whether Spanish authority can ever
be restored to its former complete
ness.
The Times is Of opinion that the
geographical position of Cuba makes
every American believe that it is
destined TO become one OF the States
of the Union, and to give his coun-
try prepondcrant influence in the
Gulf of Mexico. 1t is declared that,
possessing Cuba, the Union must
dominate the West Indies, and pro-
coed surely and swiftly 10 the incor~
pOration Of the continent north of
the lsthmus. The fertility, the vast
resources of the island, not yet fully
developed by its Spanish pOssessOrs,
its capacity for producing the most
valued grOwths Of tobacco, its fine
fine harbOrs, and its compare
atively healthy climate are repre-
scented as making it an object of de
sire TO the patriotic American. The
American residents have long
looked upon it rs scarcely foreign
ground. The Times tells an ancc-
dote Of one Of the early settlers in
Texas, then under Mexican rule,
being asked whether he did not re-
greet leaving his country, answered
coolly: 81 guess my country will
be along here soon So the
Americans look upon the possess
sion of the noble Spanish island as
part of their manifest destiny"
The Times does not fail TO point
out that lawless expeditions have
in past years been directed against
Cuba 10y Americans, and, though
the general government cannot be
accused of giving them any assist
ance, the iilibusters, it is alleged,
certainly had the secret sympathy
of multitudes in the Union. The
Times will see 10y late advices that
the United States Government is
about reinforcing its squadron in
the Cuban waters, probably with a
view of preserving that neutrality
which is demanded by national duty
and honor, and, possibly, at the
same time, if it be necessary, of
assisting the Spanish authorities in
preventing outragcs upon American
citizens. The Times says:
4" There could be no greater
triumph for the partisans Of the fall
len dynasty, and no more dangerous
weapons for them in the Cortes
than the circumstance that the over
throw of the lawful Queen had pro,
duced the loss of the most valuable
dependency Of Spain. The multi
tude does not argue, hut is moved
by first and general impressions
and though it might be shown con.
clusively that the loss of Cuba had
been really caused 10y the long mis-
government of the very monarchy
which had been overthroWn, yet the
fact that it had followed closely on
Prim and SerranO's revolution
would create an ineradicaDle belle
that the calamity was due 10 theil
treason or neglect The difficulties
of Spain At the present moment al,
even more financial than political
and the prospect Of long Cuban
war, taxing all the powers of tn
mother country, must depress tn
confidence of capitalists, while it in
creases the unwillingness Of tn
people to make pecuniary sacriti
ces.'