The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-27
The SDnuiah Guuh0afa.

Oue Vi Ine spanish mosquito Meet, as IL
is called went on trial trip on Saturday up
the Hudson. The Spaniards would have been
delighted If she could have gone down
instead Of up our noble river and out of the
Narrows. This, however, they expect to see in
a short time if the reports are true, for it is
said leach Of these funny craft will sail prob
ably upon its completion, which will be
inside Of month" 1t is said, too, and evil
IDENTIFY under the inspiration of the Spaniards
and the contractors, that ''the impression pre-
walls that no power on the part of the authori-
ties can detain these gunboats, and that ''no
law can enjon them" The action of this No.
boat was perfectly satisfactory.
Of course this parade of the action of the
completed gunboat was for effect and little
ruse to try the temper Of the public and the
Intentions of the government. If the Span
iards and the constructors be 80 certain that
no power on the part of the authorities can
detain these gunboats, and that no law can
enjon them, why did they not test the ques-
ton by approaching the Narrows. We think
they would have found out their mistake. The
as to take decided ground one day against the
departure of these war vessels and give way
the next. Nothing has occurred to lead to
such change. On the contrary, the attitude
Of the Spanish government on the Cuban ques-
ton is more likely to strengthen the determi
nation Of the administration not to let these
gunboats leave our shores. Although the
Cubans have not been recognized as belli-
gerents, Spain is not yet at peace with our
sister republics Of South America and this
government is right on that ground in refusing
to let the gunboats escape; but 1t is also justi-
fable on the high moral and political ground
of saving Cuba from the dreadful conse-
quences of letting them go. Cuba Is our near
neighbor, and we are interested politi-
cally, commercially and in every point of
view in the fate of that island. 1t
would be an everlasting disgrace to
the United States should we, under the present
aspect of the struggle for Cuban independence,
give such important aid to the Spaniards,
while we refuse any to the Cubans. These
Sunny craft" as they have been facetiously
termed, would enter the little bays, inlets and
rivers Of Cuba, where large war vessels can
not 60, and would make terrible havoc with
the property and lives Of the population, as
well as with the patriot forces. From what
we have seen and know of Spanish barbarity
this so-called mosquito fleet" would prove q
fearful engine of destruction and cruelty.
General Grant and his Cabinet understand
this, and will not be buHied or humbugged
by Spain to let the gunboats escape. They
are not 80 weak and have too much regard
for the universal sentiment of the country to
back down from the position taken or to afford
such important aid to the Spaniards to crush
a heroic and neighboring people fighting for
their independence. The shortest and best
way to settle this question is to recognize the
Cubans as beligerents. Then the sympathies
Of the American people would soon be shown,
Cuba would get all the assistance she needs,
and Spanish barbarity and domination In that
island would speedily be brought to an end.