The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-07

Affairs In Cuba-Progross Of the Patriots.
Our latest dispatches from Cuba are on the
whole encouraging. The instruction, instead
of being stamped out by the arrest of the
Cuban volunteers that left this city, goes on
with as much vigor as If no such check had
been received. For some reason or reasons
yet unexplained the Spanish authorities have
detained the American mail steamer between
Santiago de Cuba and this country. Probably
when details reach us we shall find it only
another instance of that high-handed and ar
bitrary way in which Spain has hitherto con-
Quoted this war; The unfortunate Cubans who,
rightly or wrongly, are suspected Of disloyalty
are treated with extreme severity, being hur-
ried away, even when in ill health, to Bayamo,
there to be tried summary before one of the
military tribunals. The sequestration of es-
tases still goes on, proving that the wealthy
planters are deeply embarked in this cause.
Little fighting of any consequence has taken
place, the policy of Generals Cespedes and
Jordan being to harass the Spanish troops,
cut off their conveys Of provisions and such
small parties Of soldiers as stray from the
main body. A small body of patriots lately
surprised the garrison -four thousand strong)
of Puerto Principe by an assault upon the
town before daybreak, and retreated in good
order, carrying with them fifty thousand dol
lars worth of provisions. But cholera and
vomito are causing far greater havoc among
the raw troops from Spain than all the efforts
Of the patriot leaders. The Spanish ranks are
being thinned rapidly, and the difficulty Of FILL
Ing the vacancies caused thereby Is daily
becoming greater.
The government journals are now more fully
alive than ever to the critical position of affairs,
and are calling upon all ranks to volunteer, but
the call is badly responded to. The Governor
of Trinidad has pressed into the service all
Spaniards between fifteen and sixty years of
age, and it is proposed to extend this order to
the whole island. The government Is afraid,
however, to entrust the creoles with arms, and
as to the negro militia, they have threatened
repeatedly to 60 over to the enemy should they
be compelled to exchange garrison duty for
this threat is the news we publish to-day that
sixteen Of them-a first instalment-have
already deserted. Urgent solicitations for
fresh troops have been sent to the government
in Madrid, and Brigadier Lecture Rios has
gone to Spain for this purpose, as well as to
impress upon the government there the really
| critical position of affairs on the island.
Altogether the news from Cuba Is reassur-
ing to the friends of liberty, and, as might be
expected, the patriots there rejoice to hear Of
Carlist Instructions and the many difficulties
fast gathering round the Spanish government.
Now that the question Of the sale Of the island
seems finally set at rest the Cubans are pre-.
pared to fight out their own independence.
Every week finds them better organized and
filter to take the field. The very atrocities o.
the Spanish volunteers have done much tc
strengthen the insurrection by fomentina
among the natives spirit of hatred against q
government that oountenances such rufians,
and by enlisting moro warmly in behalf of Cubs
and her freedom the good wishes of every
American.