The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-06
TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 1869.
u,r,e Cuban Revolution n.

The Cuban Revolution.
The struggle Of the Cuban patriots for freedom
Increases in dramatic interest 1t is evident that
Spain is thoroughly alarmed, and that no pains
are to be spared 10 restore, by bloodthlrsty
cruelty on the one hand and by liberal conces-
siOps on the other, the wavering allegiance oil
the eyer-faithful isle. a cable telegram an
nounces that Marshal Serrano has forwarded
orders TO Havana, directing that elections be
held for the choice of representatives in the
Spanish Cortes. This privilege solicited for
centuries in vain, and it is proffered now mainly
for the purpose of dividing the cOunsels of the
insurgents, and creating in their ranks party
more favorable to peace with the mother country
ON these comparatively favorable terms, than to
the continuation of q desperate conflict In the
present aspect of affairs however, we think that
every true Cuban will say, like the French Revo-
lutionists of 1S48, when the supporters OF the
Orleans dynasty proposed to substitute de-
sceudant of Louis Philippe for that discarded
monarch, "Too late too late!"
But meanwhile the oppressors display bound
less ferocity against all who are clearly impli-
Gated in the revolution. Not only have distin-
gIiisl,ed patriots been slaughtered in cold blood,
estimable citizens consigned to a fate worse than
death for no other crime than sympathy with the
CAUSE OI tuelT country tuU tut pOptuuCO ouot
down like dogs for real or imaginary hostility to
Spanish tyranny, but several American residents
in Cuba have been treated with great indignity
on account of their alleged completely with the
insurgents; and to crown all, it now appears
that IL any armed vessel is found in the Cuban
waters which is believed to contain material aid
for the insurgents all the crew are to be treated
as pirates, and instantly shot.
This startling intelligence is distinctly con-
veyed in despatch from Admiral Hof TO the
Navy Department. in which he states that the
brutal policy indicated was formally announced
In q proclamation issued by General Dulce on
the 24th ult 1t will be remembered that during
the late war in this country, hundreds of vessels
we're sent from Great Britain conveying arms,
ammunition, medicine, clothing, and food to the
Rebels and on many occasions the Union troops
were confronted by soldiers whose weapons and
accOutrements were exclusively of British manu-
facture. But although many blockade-runners,
with similar cargoes, were subsequently captured,
nobody ever seriously thought of Furnishing the
crews engaged in this Illicit traffic. 1t was
derstood on both sides that the penalty OF cap
ture was confiscation; but Great Britain would
no doubt have instantly declared war if we
had dared to shoot the sailors on board
these ships, as General Dulce proposes
10 shoot the crews of any American or English
vessels that attempt To render similar aid to the
Cubans. If there is any difference in the inter
national law applicable 10 the two cases, it can
only spring from the fact that Great Britain had
recognized the seceders bellgerents, while
our Government has not yet granted similar re-
cognition to the Cuban insurgents; but this de-
feet can easily be remedied by the action of our
own Government and in view OF the threatened
danger of American seamen Congress and the
administration cannot be too prompt in officially
acknowledging an obvious fact. The insurgents
unquestionaby are belligerents, so powerful that
during the last six months they have steadily
been gaining ground, winning many important
victories, extending and consolidating their
authority, and attracting, day after day, import
ant new accessions to their ranks.
At this juncture, however, after so much has
been achieved, it is the duty of every sincere
friend of Cuban independence to make her
culean exertions to complete the work so well
begun. dollar spent now may be more SER
viceable than thousands squandered on hope
less movement hereafter. A life offered up,
q gun, a cannon, and, above all, an iron-cad
loaded with arms and with brave men who
know how to use them, would at this moment
possess princely value to the men who are
brayely struggling for the freedom Of an
enslaved country. Now is the propitiou,
moment. If it passes away, no equally favor
able opportunity may occur again for many
years What seems TO be most needed is the
acquisition of q port from which communi.
cation with the outside world can be main
tanned. The Cubans and the friends of Cuba
in the United States would grant Invaluable aid
If they thus opened the seaboard to the con-
querors of the interior. Tho skilful use OF but
an in6nltesimal fraction of the armaments rot
ting in American wharves would destroy forever
the Spanish yoke; and it will be singular if, in
view of the many claims the patriots have to
American sympathy, some mode will not be de-
vised to help brave men by brave and generous
deeds. II is stated that meeting of the friend,
of Cuba is TO be held in National Hall this week
No pains should be spared to make the demon
stratiou worthy of the cause and the occasion.
Let Us Hear the People,