The New York herald., 1869-02-18

Progress Of the RevolutLpn In Cubs--IIow 10
Save the spanisrds.
The full intelligence we publish to-day from
Cuba in our telegraphic column shows that the
revolution is spreading in the western portion
of the island with remarkable energy. The
risngs at San Antonio and near Matanzas,
both within twenty leagues of Havana, taken
in conjunction with those reported yesterday at
San Cristobal and Guanajay, form the Cuban
response to the outburst of Spanish volunteer
passion which SO recently caused blood to flow
in the streets of Havana. This fire will indoubt-
edly extend through the entire Western Depart
ment, and we may soon expect to see the whole
island in one common movement. Indications
Of this result are evident in the fact that the
American engineers at work taking off the
crops of the sugar plantations are returning
to Havana to avoid impressment The sugar
regions of Trinidad are also involved, and
affairs there present very bad aspect for the
Spanish authorities. While these new fields
are being overrun by the revolution the Span
ish troops which have all been sent to the
eastern and central portions Of the island, are
not reporting any active or favorable opera
ti0ns aMaF eF,N.s4
Cut off from the resources Of their trade
with the interior of the country, the Spanish
population in Cuba are now in critical posi-
ton. They are the object Of passionate hatred
on the part OF the Cubans, and must fight or
Qoc So, s.1a she, a~hk ftosrv
depend mainly on the resources Of their own
private fortunes, as the mother country is in
no condition to send them money, and will be
able to send but few recruits, for want of funds
in the home treasury. As was said of old, in
the days of the South American war, it will
be found that sssuccor from Spain comes tardy,
i'll and never" Thus, while the Cubans will
daily grow in strength and knowledge of war,
the Spaniards will as continuously decrease in
power. This result is already attained in the
central and eastern portions Of Cuba where
Spanish effort is confined to holding narrow
strip of land along the shore covered with the
guns of their ships, while Count Valmasedas
column, the chief offensive reliance of the
government, is dwindling among the wilds
of the sierra maestro The fight, therefore,
presents little hope for the Spaniards. To fee
is equally disastrous for them. The news Of
the massacre in the streets of Havana has pre-
ceded them, and in every Latin country Of
America they would encounter only hatred and
disaster. They might come to this country,
where they would be safe while they behaved
themselves; but they would find few openings
for trade in consequence of the difference Of
language and manners, and they are not in
clined to agriculture.
In this dilemma there is but one chance for
them to save their fortunes and their future.
They must Immediately send q ,deputation to
Washington with an official request from Cen
eral Dulce, backed by the General of Marine,
the Intendent and the Judges of the Supreme
Court in Cuba, to General Grant to take imme-
diate possession of Havana and to send ship
of-war to each Of the other principal seaports
now held by Spanish garrisons. The United
States would then organize government in
Cuba which could and would protect the Span
ish population and gave Cubans and Spaniards
from the horrors of the revolution now impend-
ing over them. The rights of Spain would
thus be saved from destruction, and diplomacy
after the event could easily settle the matter
with the new government about to be estab-
lished in Spain, in way that would bring
power to the new throne, and pave its way for
the future peaceful development of the
resources of the Iberian peninsula. We sug-
gest to General Dulce and the Spanish Minister
at Washington to act in this matter before II
be too late. 1t is only question whether
they will accept manifest destiny or disappear
before 1t.