New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-06-04
A PROTEST.


II ia bloody business this, that De R0das is
carving ON in Cuba. Ceaselessly and remorsely
he prosecutes tho savage task of executing
nrisoners. On no account will he spare those
who fall into his hands. He makes quick work
with them, by the garrotc or by volley OF
musketry. No matter who his victim may be,
so that he can be considered an enemy OF
Spanish rule. He garrotes an old man like Gen.
Goicouria, caught while OH his way to another
country. He garrotes a youth like the son OF
President Cespedes caught while straying from
his fathers camp. He garrotes non-combat-
ants like GoicouITia's two companions. lie gar
rotes planters suspected of sympathizng with
Cuban independence. IIo shoots or garrotes
Cuban officers of all ranks when made prison
ers He shoots ragged privates by the score,
at his convenience. Day and night he carries
on the business of shooting and garroting
Every day the cable announces more execu-
tons. He seems to take an internal delight in
letting mankind know of his proceedings. He
is the most bloody executioner OF the nine
teenth century.
He has, during the last year, justified the
reputation he brought with him from Spain.
He was heralded as a fearless and reckless
executioner. The Cuban rebels were warned
of the terrors that awaited his coming. He
had shown during his previous career that he
had an iron heart and a bloody hand. He has
taken pains to pile proof upon proof since his
advent in Cuba. No one will henceforth dis
pute his claims to the title of "Bmcher."
We are utterly opposed to our Government
getting into war or trouble with Spain. But
have we no duty and no responsibility in re-
gard to this murdeTous and savage work that
has so long been carried on in Cuba Do we
owe nothing to civilization and humanity a?
Has not even war its laws which all nations
and all belligerents are bound to respect' We
maintain that our Government should imme-
diately send remOnstrance to Madrid against
the proceedings of the Spanish commander in
Cuba. 1t neglects an important duty in fall
ing to enter its protest against the conduct of
De ROdas.
There is no need of taking any uniustifable
OF perilous step in regard to the matter Our
Government would find no difficulty in getting
England, if that were deemed desirable, to
join with us in this remOnstrance and protest
Only the other day, member of Parliament
who is also member of Mr. GladstoneS adj
ministration, said in Parliament that the Brit
ish Government would be glad to unite with
the American Government in any measures
that might he thought necessary for putting
stop to the barbarities of the Spanish war in
Cuba. If anybody is afraid that Spain would
not heed our remonstrance, there need he no
fear that she would not heed the joint remon-
STRANGE of England and America
We call upon President Grant and Secretary
Fish to give heed to these words. We know
that Grants sympathies were at one time with
the Cuban party of independence, and we feel
assured that they are yet on the same side.
We know that the feelings of Secretary Fish
must have been aroused by the daily accounts
of the barbarities of De Rodas Let him,
under the authority of the President commu-
ncate by cable with Mr.. Motley as to the
feasibility of obtaining the cooperation of the
English Government in joint protest to
Spain. In some respects we should prefer to
see our Government demonstrate on its own
account but as we only desire practical
results, we are quite willing to adopt any plan
that gives the best assurance of obtaining
Them There should be no delay in this mat
ter. There will be more executions of prison.
ers in Cuba to-day. There will be more
tomorrow. There will be more every day
next week. In the name of God let us at
least ask these butchers for mercy!