The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-08-10
| The CABINET MEETING TODAY
! WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
From The N. Y. Herald.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
From the NJ Y. Herald.
We learn by telegram from Washington
that Cabinet meeting will be held
to-day, at which nearly all the members
are expected to be present, and when the
most important subject for consideration
will be the Cuban question and our
relations with Spain with regard
to it, Considering that the PresdeNt
and the members of the Cabinet are away
from the seat of government in different
directions, taking, as the rest of the world
takes at this season, some recreation, there is
reason to believe this sudden return and
holding full Cabinet council has some unu-
sual significance. The question naturally
arises, what does it mean? What new move
ment about Cuba and Spain? 1t is said the
call for the meeting has special reference to
this subject.
The removal Of Admiral Hoff from the
command of the United States squadron in
the Cult and around Cuba Immediately after
the seizure of the Spanish gunboats which
were under construction in this country, indi-
Gates change of policy relative to Cuba.
We do not know what the nature of the in
structions to Admiral Hof were since he was
put in command Of the Gulf squadron, and
he may have been only doing his duty under
them; but we DO know that our feet was
doing service for Spain more than protecting
American citizens or American interests. Ii
there be a change of policy, therefore, on
the part of the Government about Cuba as
there seems to be, it is consistent and proper
that another officer should be
placed in command Of the Gulf squadron.
The most suitable man. probably, Tor that
important post just now is Admiral Porter.
In connection with these movements,
we may notice the language of the Secretary
of State in his address at Newburg on Satur-
day, implying that he was prepared to recog-
nize and follow public sentiment. Mr.. Fish
said, ''If the people Of my own State and of
the United States will be pleased to bear with
my intirmities, l shall in all things defer to
their better Judgment, and believe that their
Judgment has confirmed them in the right.
1t is not known certainly whether the Secre-
tary had or had not in his mind Cuba, and
the fact that public sentiment is strongly in
favor of the Cuban cause; but as this is the
most prominent subject now engaging the
public mind, it is reasonable to suppose he
had. At any rate he emphatically recognized
the justice and right Of popular opinion, and
his duty to conform to it. In a word, the
| Secretary procaims his faith in the old doc
| trine of UOC pOpuE UOG Del. If by his infirmi-
| ties he means his shortcomings heretofore on
the question of Cuba, the people will be pre-
pared to forgive him, as he desires, should he
from this time forth follow public sentiment
and conform to the public will.
Looking at the action of the Government
in seizing the Spanish gunboats, we cannot
| doubt that it is to be followed up by more de-
| cided and vigorous measures with view to
| aid, indirectly at least the Cuban patriots, so
as to secure ultimately the independence and
annexation Of Cuba. The preteXt for seizing
these gllnboats is good enough for all diplO-
matte purposes, but there must have been an
other motive OF d27j6re pelIS6e for the action.
| We do not suppose the Peruvian Minister was
| much afraid of these vessels going round Cape
| Horn to attack his country. or that the admin
! istration really apprehended such contln-
gency; but it was fair enough to seize them
on this pretext, and will answer all the pur-
poses Of diplomatic palaver. However, the
| American people understand that it is move
| ment in favor of Cuba, and so 1t will be un-
derstood by Spain and the world. The adj
ministration, then, is committed to the cause
of Cuba. 1t cannot go back without humllla-
ton and the contempt Of the world. 1t must
go forward, for if by any chance the Cubans
should fail to secure their independence
through the timidity or inaction of the United
States, after our Government has taken TINS
step, we should be laughed at for our weak
ness by all nations.
1t is said that the Cabinet council to be held
to-day will also discuss the question as to
what further instructions should be sent to
our Minister at Madrid. If the recent news
from Spain can be relied upon, to the effect
that the Spanish Government had set its face
against parting with Cuba on any conditions,
further instructions on this matter to General
Sickles would be useless. We hope, however,
the Government Of Spain is not so blind to
what is transpiring in Cuba and to the lmpos-
sibility of holding that island much longer
Cuba can never more be useful to SPAN as a
colony if even the insurrection could be put
down, which is not at all likely; while as an IN
dependent State or as portion OF the United
States she might have a considerable trade Win
the island. The United States have been far
more valuable to England in this respect than
} they wouldhave been as colonies But, however
wise or unwise Spain may be with regard to
, Cuba and to the efforts of the United States to
stop bloodshed and the ruin of the island, our
government has but one course to follow, and
81 InaI Is TO act in accordance with the almost
unanimous sentiment of the country. Cuba
must be free, and if necessary, through the
| action OF this republic. Spain would not be
SO insane as to go to war with us, and would
9 Yield TO necessity if the Government should
l follow up boldly its present course. On this
l question the administration can make itself
l popular, as all parties are for Cuba The
S press OF Europe even acknowledge that the
3 independence or acquisition of the island
I through the interposition of the United