The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-19
Spain Hns King mt Last-How Will
This Affect the Cuban QUESTION:

This Affect the Cuban Question:
The Spaniards, or rather the political
schemers at Madrid, were determined to have
that bauble, as we Americans may call the
crown. And they have found at last man
to wear it. After all the plots, counterplots
| and intrigues; after the remuneration Of the
| honor of being King Of Spain by several pro-
posed candidates, and after plunging Europe
in war over this king-making business, Prim,
Serrano and company have found respect
able young man, twenty-five years of age,
with rising family of little ones, to accept
the situation. The Duke of Aosta is the
adventurous youth. He has strong hopes, no
doubt, that the good luck Of his father,
Victor Emmanuel and his family, in Italy
will go with him to the Peninsula. Ger
tainly he seems to fear the Spanish republi-
cans and revolutionists as little as his father
does the anathemas of the Pope and Cardinal
Antonelli. We must say it is fortunate
family, with the exception, perhaps, of
Cothilde, who married Plon-Plon Napoleon.
1t is family that revolutions serve and ele-
vate, while they overturn other royal families.
Victor Emmanuel, the father of Aosta, being
liberal and popular monarch, and the affinity
between the Italians and Spanards, will do
much to give security to the young Princes
throne But with all that, with all the favor
able circumstances surrounding him, the
elected King Of Spain sets sail in troubled
sea. These are stormy times and the age OF
revolutions. There was q powerful minority
in the Cortes that voted against him. The
sentiment of Spain-of the mass Of the
people--inclines to republic. The country
is torn by factions and its financial resources
are pretty well exhausted. King Amadeus will
have no easy read to travel.
Then, the Cuban question is an exceedingly
troublesome one. 1t is not probable that he
could do more than the Regency in suppressing
that. Cuba will conquer her independence,
most likely, though it may take years to wear
out the Spaniards. Will he continue costly
and fruitless war against transatlantic col
ony struggling for liberty? If he should that
would make him tyrant and destroy the pres
tige for lberality which he inherits. If he
should concede the right Of people to govern
themselves, and consequently the indepen-
dence Of the Cubans, might not that raise a
powerful hostility to him in Spain2 The best
course that he can take. probably. is to let the
| Cubans purchase their own independence i'm
mediately on ascending the throne Of Spain.
| That is. let them do this in manner that will
not look like direct purchase. In other
words, let them be independent by paying a
hundred millions or so for Spanish property on
the island, and to pay for Spanish losses in the
war. The trouble was not brought en- by him,
| and the Spanish people would hardly demur
seriously to such solution Of the difficulty, If
he should act Immediately on ascending the
throne and before hostile parties are formed
against his government. The Cuban trouble,
| as it stands, is an unfortunate legacy left to
him by preceding governments. 1t will be
wise policy in him to remove it at once and
forever in the way we mention. Unless he
should do this he will be in perpetual difficulty
and the Cuban question may prove great
danger to his crown.