The New York herald., 1870-02-12
Proposed Recognition OF Cnbnn bc'hgc
rcncy-Importunt from Warrington.

| The action of Congres IS with regard 70 Cuba
begins to assume tangible shape. SeAa'or
Sherman one of the most cautious, prudent
and ablo men In tho Senate, made bold
movement yesterday for tho recognition OF
| Cuban belligerency. He offered resolution
| to the effect that the United States recognize
state of war in Cuba, that beiligerent rights
be extended to the insurgents, and that here
after the United States win strictly observe the
rules Of International law applicable TO 5al-
ligerents. Up to the present time there has
been merely u sort of guerilla fight in Con-
gress on this Cuban question. A few Senator's
and members of the House, irrespective Of
party, have submitted resolutions for accord
ing belligerent rights to the Cubans. or for
acknowledging the Independence Of Cuba, and
have made speeches on the subject. Both the
Senate and House have been very courteous
to these advanced friends of Cuba, and have
even set aside the rules for the purpose of
hearing them. This showed that the ser
timent Of Congress has been favorable to
the Cuban cause. But no decided action
has been taken, and the resolutions were
referred to the Committees on Foreign Affairs.
All this appears to have been only preparatory
to more decided movement, and the delay
was caused, probably, by a desire on the part
of Congress to act, If possible in concert with
the administration. Il looks now as il Con-
gress is weary with the pro-Spanish policy,
weakness, timidity and delay OF the admins
tration, and is resolved to act independently.
When man Of the ability, standing and
weight in the Senate Of Mr.. Sherman takes up
the Cuban question 80 earnestly we may be
assured something win bo done, and that the
administration will be compelled, however
reluctantly, to carry out the wishes Of the
people as expressed through their representa-
tivcs. We regard this movement OF Mr..
Sherman AS the most important ols for Cuba
that has taken place In Congress.
In offering the resolution referred to Mr..
Sherman remarked that the people in his
section Of the country would not much longer
tolerate the coldness at present exhibited by
the government towards people struggling
for independence, aud that the same aid should
be allowed the latter as is now afforded 90
Spain. This was plain talk and went to the
root of the matter. The Senator recognizes
the power of public opinion and the right of
the people to have their will carried out, while
at the same time he rebukes the administration
for Its coldness and unpopular conduct. Mr..
Sumner Of course, came to the rescue OF his
Spanish friends, and showed bis usual obstinate
hostility to the Cubans. He said the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations were now con-
sidering this whole question. But VIC oan
imagine what the result Of their deliberations
may be II he, as chairman Of the committee,
can control their action, for he assorted that
they had been unable, up to the present
time, to obtain any facts which indicated
the existence Of war. Everybody except Mr..
Sumner and few other enemies Of Cuban
liberty knows that there is a state Of war
existing 1t ia an insult to the common sense
of The American people to make an assertion
TO tho contrary. Indeed, Mr.. Sumner knows
very well that fierce, determined and cruel
war exists, though he prctends TO say It does
not. As Mr.. Sherman properly remarked,
what were the thirty gunboats built by Spain
in this country for, if no war existed? He
might have added, what were the forty thou
sand troops and large naval force sent ont
rom Spain and the large force of volunteers in |
he island put under arms for, il there were no
var? And does not the eighteen months
struggle Of the Cubans show that 1t is deter
mined fight, and that Spain, with all her large
has proved herself unable to ter1ni-
nate it? Did not the utter defeat Of Puelos
army by the Cubans under General Jordan
prove that war Of some magnitude is going
onl Considering the nature Of the contest the
area over which il is spread, the relative forces
of the cOmbatants and tho means Of the Cubans,
the battle at Guaimaro was an important
one, and, relatively to circumstances, equal TO
some of the principal battles Of our late wer
million or q million and half of
,eople with those Of nation with forty mil
ions. Besides, In q war Of q COLONY for inde- |
,endence, particularly as tho Cubans are
situated, the best policy is TO avoid as much
IS possible pitched battles and to wear out the
Enemy by exhaustive Fabian tactics. Our
seven to eight years war fo- independence
vas wisely carried on for the most part in this
way. But this is no evidence that war doss
not exist in Cuba. The Cubans have shown that
hey are able to carry on the struggle, and we
have seen that Spain has made the greatest
efforts to end it without succeeding. Indeed, it
Is evident the Cubans are stronger to- day than
they ever were. These facts are sufficient TO
convince any one that war exists, and that the
Cubans have great reason to hope for ultimate
But Mr. Sumner il too obstinate,
too hostile to the freedom Of Cuba and too
much welded to Spanish Interests to acknow-
edge the truth. Let us hopc Congress-, and
even the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Of
which he Is chairman, will pay no attention to
his egoistical prejudiced and narrow-mnded