The New York herald., 1869-04-26
England and Cuba.

OuI CaNc teieSrduls yesterday iuuicdte
change of action on the part of England which
may produce very strange complications in the
Cuban question. Belligerent rights are to be
conceded to the insurgents and such assist
ance rendered to them as was given to our
own rebellion. In the meantime it is not i'm
probable that complications may arise which
will produce open war between England and
Spain. From Nassau, via Havana, the tele-
graph states that military preparations are
being made in view of possible complications
with Spain"
There is no doubt but this policy is in strict
accordance with that which the British gov
ernment has always followed in the internal
troubles which from time to time have
agitated the different nations of the world.
England and her trade has always gained
ground at the expense of other countries.
Large or small commercial competitors cause
no variation in policy. ''Break them into
| fragments, they can be handled easier," ap-
pears to be the rule of foreign action. In
pursuit of this, discord has been purposely
| fomented among foreign Powers. Civil wars
have resulted, and the contending parties,
| weakened and reduced, have leaned for sup
port upon the very nation which stirred the
fame of war. In the history of our own Con-
tinent we find abundant evidence of this
policy. There is scarcely Spanish American
State but bears witness to it. There
is no boder marked example than
ourselves. While England professed to
take the lead in the elevation of the human
race, and especially denounced before the
world every nation that was stained with
slavery, she, true to her principles, urged and
assisted the slaveholding power to break up
institutions which were nearest in keeping with
| her own. This she carried to point little
short of real warfare, and thus struck at us in
manner which was more cowardly than hon
orable
The object of recognizing Cuban belligerent
rights is pregnant with meaning. Doing so,
England would at once enlist great sympathy
for herself on the part of the insurgents, and,
their independence achieved, they would
naturally turn for advice to the country which
aided them in the hour Of their greatest need.
We can we'll understand what that advice
would be. Certainly it would not be annexa-
tion to the United States Cuba is too mag
nifcent a commercial prize for England to let
it slip from her hands, il it can possibly be
held commercially when it cuts aloof from
Spain. The valuable and increasing trade
which already produces thirty-three million
dnl1ara N for ha Cpsn niah Ia
mean prize for diplomatic or even warlike
effort. The magnificent geographical position
of Cuba, unsurpassed by any other equal
extent of territory on this Continent, is also a
tempting bait for those who are interested in
pressing forward a commercial supremacy
won in the manner we have indicated. In our
hands Cuba would double our naval strength,
neutralize the value of Nassau, and serve us as
an outlying fortifcation for the protection, not
only Of ourselves, but of all the republics on
this Continent. The English people under
stand this as we'll as we do, and it is, perhaps,
craftsmanship on their part to prevent our
obtaining possession of the ''Ever Faithful
Isle"
The sluggish movements Of our government
have given England an opportunity to make
this threatened diplomatic stroke of recognition
Of bellgerent rights, and If she be quick
in her movements she will completely
outgeneral the authorities at Washington. Our
Washington dignitaries sacrifice all national
considerations to political ones and narrow
ideas, based upon still narrower foreign
| policy, threaten to keep us in a secondary and
shameful condition for many years.
But in the lead which England proposes to
take with reference TO Cuba there is another
point involved and that is our pending Ala
bama and other claims The recognition o
the Cubens would be direct confirmation o
the principles which were enunciated in Oh,
recognition of the Southern Confederacy.
This would be another argument which Eng
land would then have against making due repa
ration to the United States.
In the meantime the Spanish governmen
! appears determined that no cause shall b.
given TO us for interfering in the Cuban trouble
| Apologies are made as fast as can be wished
for every petty difficulty that occurs. Th
passengers taken from the Lizzie MAJORS ar
surrendered and the proper amtnds made
There is but one way for the United States T.
proceed in the present condition Of Cuba
affairs, and that is the adoption Of the boil
policy and principles we have heretofore la
down. Cuba should be seized on the groun
that it is constant threat against us and tn
whole Continent so long as the island remain
in the hands Of any foreign Power. II Eng
hnd be allowed to outgeneral us here Il will b.