The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-10-08
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 Pizarro in Peru are again
being repeated in Cuba, under the rule of
De Rodas. The violence of ,Valmaseda is
applauded and endorsed by his superiors.
Honorable warfare is ignored; brutality
almost unparalleled supplies its place. The
belief in the characteristics 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 Gu
bans. Cruelty is the reigning principle for
all disorders against the state. A barbar-
Gus cruelty, which civilization has entirely
dispensed with, is 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 ex-
ecrations of humanity even if committed
by the wild Indians of the Plains, the Sc
poys of the East, or the wild uncivilized
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 Tunas
building containing number of prisoners
was fired, and all the unfortunate inmates
were burned to death. The reason given
for this fiendsh act was that the prisoners
might otherwise have escaped. Another
account tells us of q company of Spaniards
who, under the cover of night, stole out
from their entertainments, dressed as insur-
gents and wearing the lone star in their
shakos, mingled with the Cubans, and
while the latter slept, unconscious ofthe pres
ence of a foe, they were stabbed to the
heart These are only two of the many in
stances which might be recorded of the
cruelties that are practised in the fruitful
island of Cuba by the Spanish troops.
country foreign governments, misled by tho
erroneous statements of correspondents
whose sympathies were with the slavehold-
ers of the South, cried out in virtuous in
dignation against the imaginary cruelties
of the United States in its treatment of the
rebels. Without inquiry into the truth of
the assertions these nations calmly consid
cred the question of interference for hui
manity's sake. Where now is all their SYM
pathy, that they cannot see in the manner in
WHICH the war ~ UelnS CouuuCIoll III Nuua
just reason to interfere and stay massa-
ere which must tend to disgrace the age in
which it is committed2 That our own
government should interpose in the matter
| is admitted on all sides. The time is ripe
for interference. The cause ofhumanity, 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 COM
mand TO prevent the useless effusion of
blood. If as all admit, it is merely ques-
ton of time when Cuba shall be indepen-
nent of Spain, why not limit that time as
much as possible9 1t is now in the pow
er of this country to do an act at Which HUI
manity will rejoice. Let it not be delayed.
| ~ Y. Herald.