The New York herald., 1870-03-02
NEW YORK HERALD WEDNESDAY MARCH ls7o-TRPLB SHEET
The Csbaz Qucstion In Consress@sene
Action Probable.


The Csbaz Qucssion in Consrsss@sone
Action Probable.
It appears by the news from Washington
that the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs
had long discussion again yesterday on the
Cuban question. Among the different propo-
sitions that have been made In the Senate and
referred TO the committee, with view to give
tAs Qubans fair chance iR their struggle ior
freedom, that Of Senator Morton seems to be
most favored. 1t is the mildest of all, does
not declare the Cubans belligerents in express
terms, but it prohibits aid being given in
materials Of war from this country to any for
eign government at war with people or colony
with whom this republic is at peace. It recog-
| nizes the Cubans as people distinct from the
Spaniards and indirectly as belligerents. Such
action, If Congress should 60 no further at
present, will have good moral effect, and
may be the entering wedge to something more
bold and positive hereafter. But it will come
too late to be of much service otherwise to the
Cuban cause. Spain has obtained q vast
amount of materials Of war from this country,
and, perhaps, nearly all she needed, as well as
the thirty gunboats and to prohibit now any
more such supplies seems like shutting the
bolder and more decided course and palmer
recognition Of the Cubans would be more in
accordance with public sentiment, and more
creditable to this great country, which repre-
sents the principle of republican liberty in
America. 1t is said that President Grant, in
conversation with prominent Congressman
who favors the Cubans, indicated his willing
ness to carry out any recommendation which
the friends of the administration in Congress
might make. We have never doubted that the
President sympathized warmly with the people
of Cuba in their struggle for freedom. Indeed,
he has expressed that on several occasions.
He has been deferred from acting by the infu-
ence and misrepresentation of illiberal and
narrow-minded men around him. There is
every reason to believe, therefore, that he will
willingly cooperate with Congress in any
action that body may take favoring the cause
Of Cuban independence.
The news we publish to-day of the atrocious
and inhuman conduct Of the Spaniards to
American citizens as well as to the Cubans
ought to have the effect too, of arousing our
government. Eighteen well known citizens
were arrested at or near Santiago de Cuba,
taken to an obscure place fifteen miles away,
and there tried by court martial, without
counsel or the examination of witnesses, and
ofol.x aJ fofi
Of Spanish barbarity were two citizens of the
United States-one a native born and the other
naturalized citizen. The Acting Governor,
Ojedo, appears to have had some humanity or
sense of justice; for on hearing of the arrest of
these men he issued an order to have them all
sent back to the city. But Colonel bort, COM
manding the contra-guerillas, refused to obey
the Governor, alleging that he had superior
orders from Valmaseda. This butchery is but
repetition of what is constantly occurring.
similar slaughter of some twenty unarmed
people. 1t is only week or two since
the brutal volunteers killed Greenwalth
and dangerously wounded two peace
able American citizens in the streets of
Havana. In fact it would fill columns to
recite all the barbarities of the Spaniards in
Cuba. These bloodhounds, and the Spanish
government in the island which stands at their
back, have placed themselves beyond the con-
sideration of civilized governments or people,
They should not be tolerated by any nation,
and least Of all by the United States. They
ought to be denounced as barbarians and the
enemies of mankind. We cannot believe that
our government-the government Of this
mighty and enlightened republic-has sunk so
low and is so cowardly as not to denounce
these frightful atrocities and to afford some
protection to American citizens. We have no
expectation that the Spaniards will act less
brutal in the future. It remains for our gov
ernment to say whether this barbarous war
shall continue. Either give Spain notice that
she must leave the island by selling it to the
United States or strengthen the hands of the
Cubans to drive out the Spaniards. Any
other policy would be weak, inhuman and un-
worthy this republic We have had trouble
enough for forty years or more about Cuba,
and shall have more unless the question is
settled now. Let us seize the opportunity
afforded by the existing state of affairs to
settle at once and forever this Cuban question.
The Fenian Shooting Case.
The recent shooting affray on Fourth street
between two prominent Fenians on account