The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-27
spanish Cruelties In Cuba.

spanish Cruelties In Cuba.
Spanish warfare, even at this late day, has
lost none of its horrors. The brutal scenes
which in by-gone years were enacted by
Spanish leaders on American soil have lost
none of their ferocity in this civilized age. The
tragedies Of Plzarro in Peru are again being
repeated in Cuba under the rule of De Rodas.
The violence of Valmaseda is appIauded and
endorsed by his superiors. Honorable warfare
is ignored; brutality almost unparalleled sup
plies its place. The belief in the character
istics which gave Spain her supremacy in the
barbarous ages when brute force ruled, Is now
the governing idea in regard to the treatment
of the Cnbans. Cruelty is the reigning prin-
cple for all disorders against the state. A
barbarous cruelty, which civilization has
entirely dispensed with, Ia with Spain, now
behind other nations of the earth, still adhered
to with the most unfeeling tenacity. Here,
at our very doors, we learn of atrocities being
perpetrated which would draw down the exc
crations of humanity even il committed by the
wild Indians of the Plains, the Sepoys of the
East, or the wild uncvilized tribes that roam
at large through the desert plains of Africa.
Our latest letters from Cuba, speaking Of the
practices of the Spanish volunteers, say that
during the battle of Las Tuhas building con-
tanning number Of prisoners was fred, and
all the unfortunate inmates were burned to
death. The reason given for this fendish act
was that the prisoners might otherwise have es-
capped. Another account tells us Of a company
of Spaniards who, under the cover Of night,
stole out from their intrenchments, dressed
as insurgents and wearing the lone star in
their shakos, mingled with the Cubans, and
while the latter slept, unconscious Of the pre-
sence of a foe, they were stabbed to the heart.
These ore only two of the many instances
which might be recorded of the cruelties that
are practised In the fruitful island of Cuba by
the Spanish troops
During the progress of the civil war in this
country foreign governments, misled by the
erroneous statements of correspondents whose
sympathies were with the Shareholders Of the
South, cried out in virtuous indignation
against the imaginary crueties Of the United
States In its treatment of the rebels. Without
inquiry into the truth of the assertions these
nations calmly considered the question of
interference for humanity's sake. Where now
is all their sympathy, that they cannot see in the
manner in which the war Is being conducted in
Cuba just reason to interfere and stay a
massacre which must tend to disgrace the age
in which 1t is committed2 That our own
government should interpose in the matter is
admitted on all sides. The time is ripe for
interference. The cause of humanity, OF
civilization and of Christianity demands that
something should be done. The people of the
United States expect that President Grant
should use the power at his command to pre-
vent the useless effusion of blood. If as
all admit, it is merely a question of time
when Cuba shall be independent Of Spain,
why not limit that time as much as possible
1t is now in the power of this country to do an
act at which humanity will rejoice. Let it not
be DELAYED,