The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-18
Tie Cnban EnsurrecIiOn.

THE censorship exercised over the press and
telegraph at Havana prevents rs from getting
any definite and reliable information about
the situation of affairs in Cuba. What can b4
gathered from the imperfect dispatches and
rumors is that the insurrection is making
rapid headway, and that the Spanish authori-
ties are being overpowered. The whole course
of Spain towards Cuba, during the reign of
Isabella ii, was such as to excite dissension;
and after the revolution in Spain was
thing accomplished, General Lersundi was so
ill-advised as to refuse to recognize the right
of the Cubans to participate in the benefits Of
that movement. The result was that strug-
gle for independence was begun, and the
instruction had gained such headway that
General Duce was unable to stem its progress
when he assumed the Captain Generalship.
His proffeEed conciliatory measures were in
reality scarcely less rigorous than the
despotism Of his predecessor, and the
insurgents refused to accept any
terms but total abrogation of the Spanish
authority and the ackno wledgment of their
independence. Cuba, however, is too rich e
prize to be allowed to pass away from Spain
without struggle, and Dulce has therefore
determined upon more energetic measures.
Thus far his success has been small, and the
insurgents are apparently hemming him IN on
every side, go that, unless he is heavily rein
forced, he will be obliged to surrender his
authority.
The dispatches published this morning give
a mass of rumors and contradictory reports,
which indicate that a terrible state of affairs
exists in Cuba. General Dulcs and his agents
are arresting wealthy and suspected men in
all directions, and many of the inhabitants
are endeavOripg to leave the country, bat are
prevented from doing so. One rumor states
that the United States Consul at Havana
having applied for passports for naturalizsd
citizens, the latter were arrested, and the Consul
was informed that the Government could not
recognize his right to apply for passports. A
later report states that native Cuban was
released on the production of his American
naturalization papers. The American Consul
at Trinidad has abandoned his post and joined
the rebels, and the citizens of that place are
consequently left without protection. 1t is
evident that energetic measures are needed on
the part of the United States Government to
ensure for its citizens in Cuba proper treat
msnt. Not many years ago, in the days of
the Ostend manifesto and the Lopez tilibusters,
an opportunity like this for securing
such a prize as Cuba would not
have been allowed to slip by,
but the insurgents would have found
their ranks reinforced by volunteers from the
United States. Since then, however, we have
had enough of fighting, and are now con-
tent to await the course of events. Oar inte-
rests, however, no less than justice to
American citizens in Cuba, demand that we
should be represented there by such an armed
force as will make the rebels as we'll as the
spaniards respect us, and which will give us
an influence in the iual disposition of the
island, whichever party wins in the contest
now being carried on.