The New York herald., 1869-01-29
The New Gsvernneat do Facto In Cuba
and It's Relations.

The question of the future political relations
Of Cuba Is assuming the dimensions OF an In
ternational affair, and seems likely to become
at an early day one Of the most important OF
the American Continent. Within the island .
revolutionary movement has been In progress
since last October, and although our advices
from there come almost entirely through
Spanish sources, It Is evident from these that
the Spanish government has lost its hold upon
one half Of the island, excepting only mar
row strip Of shore commanded by the guns Of
its feet. At the present moment the new
Captain General sent out by the provisional
government Of Spain Is making laudable and
strenuous effort to allay the revolution by the
introduction Of radical reforms in the colonial
government, but with doubtful prospects Of
success. The wealthy classes ask for some
thing moro than vague generalities, and the
popular masses demand nothing short Of imme-
date and complete revolution.
Outside Of the island the question is pro-
ducing lively agitation In political circles. In
Washington anxious eyes are turned to Cuba,
as the key Of the arc Of coastwise navigation
on our Atlantic shore and the recent sudden
springing of protectorats question in the
House Of Representatives would not have met
SO ignominious failure as it did had its pro-
moters contemplated the broader basis which
was open to them in this movement in Cuba.
The Mexican Cabinet is also taking an active
interest in the subject, and has recently
sent q special agent, Sehor Zenea, to this
country as the special conddant of it's views
and wishes. A smaller but not entirely in
significant element in the complication is the
Dominican republic, where the anti-Spanish
party is on the eve of triumph over the gov
ernment of President Baez. This island, lying
as 1t does between the Spanish islands Of Cuba
and Porto Rico, possesses ready means Of
danger to the Spanish forces which promise to
be brought into play at an early day, while
the leading journals of Mexico openly an
nounce that no neutrality laws bind their
shores, and they owe Spain grudge.
In Mexico the question is already put for
ward as one Of annexation Of Cuba to the
Mexican republic, while among the Domini-
cans, at home and in the revolutionary service
in Cuba, it assumes the form of West Indian
confederation. No word of annexation to the
United States is breathed by the Cuban revo-
lutionists, and thus far President Cespedes
seems to have carefully abstained from send
ing an authorized agent to Washington. This
arises from the opinion prevalent in Cuba and
among Cubans elsewhere that in former efforts
to attain independence, whenever they have
conHded their hopes and views to members of
the Washington Cabinet from Fillmores time
down to that Of Buchanan, they have been
betrayed to the Spanish government, and have
found the government of the United States
their most persistent enemy. Whether the
new political combinations now terminating
in the countries south of US will crystalline into
something effective and tangible yet remains
to be seen, but our government will do we'll
not to close its ears and its eyes to the voices
and signs that come to us from Cuba, Mexico
and st. Domingo.
As regards Cuba the subject of most inte-
rest to US now is the course of the revolution
and the character Of the men who control it.
The continuous efforts of Spain for four
months to subdue the revolution have been
futile, and the blow recently struck with such
great cost and effort at Bayamo, the seat
Of the revolutionary government, has fallen
harmless upon the insurgents and useless to
the Spanish government. President Cespedes,
after sending the women, children and prison.
ers to place. Of safety, on the approach of
the Spanish troops set fire to the town, and
when demonstrated with for the act by some
OF his followers replied:-sMyself and my
family are the greatest losers by the measure
which as your chief have decreed." His
example in personal sacrifice has been initiated
in Puerto Principe by the Marquis of Santa
Lucia, the Count of villamar and other
wealthy Cubans who have personally taken
the field and thrown their lives and fortunes
into the war. Such men, when upheld by the
popular voice, as these are, seldom fail.
Had the wealthy natives Of the Western De-
partment followed the example Of their coun-
trymen in the eastern and central portions of
CUBA the resources OF the Spanish authorities
would have collapsed before now, and the
struggle, except so far as regards few for
titled ports, would have been at an end.
These results have been obtained with little,
almost no outside assistance, and the period
Of the year is approaching when European
troops, even il Spain could send them, can do
little in the tropical field of Cuba. But the
policy pursued by President Cespedcs in his
military operations dehes even the strongest
efforts the Spanish troops can make. In no
instance have the revolutionists accepted
battle. On the approach Of the troops
the insurgents retire from the front
and confne themselves to harassing
operations upon the tanks and rear Of the
advancing column. Thus every victory an
nounced bv the Spaniards il n Pvrrhic vic