The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-09
In tho Event Of War Betweca Franco asd
Spain What VIII Become OF Cubat

Spain What VIII Become Of Cubas
The question OF tho accession OF German
prince to the Spanish throne involves one con-
sideration Of vast Importance. 10 the United
States which requires the immediate and
serious attention Of the government II the
, Spanish Cortes accept Prince Leopold OF
Hohenzollern, war between the Ger
manic Confederation and Spain on the
one side and France on the other viii
DO the immediate result. Ons OF the first
movements OF such contest would undoubt-
eddy DO French expedition against the Span
ish Antilles, and the speedy occupation of
Cuba and Porto Rico by aud in the name of
Napoleon.
The transfer Of these islands to the posses
sion Of a first class European Power, whether
by purchase or conquest has long been con-
sidered by our wisest statesmen as a measure
fraught with danger to this country, aud there
fore to be resisted at all hazards. In the
present condition OF affairs we would be pow
erless even to protest The government at
Washington persist in recognizing Cuba as q
Spanish colony, although the power of Spain in
the island has VIGOROUSLY ceased. A military
expedition, therefore, directed against Cuba
by any Power at war with Spain, would give
us no legitimate ground for interference. We
would be compelled to look on in silence, while
the means of controlling the Gulf and the Ca
ribbean Sea passed from the failing dominion Of
the spaniard into the vigorous grasp Of France.
Herewith would terminate forever the dream
of Cuban independence or annexation, while
the United States would remain, with the power
of England on the north and France on the
south,
Cabin'd, cribbed, confined
Failing in achieving the independence which
they are cOntending for, the Cubans would not
regard as wholly unwelcome tho establishment
Of French authority In the island; and the
establishment of such authority would clearly
be one of the first results of the war now i'm
minent 10 Europe To this threatening danger
we call the grave attention of the government.
There is but one method of averting 1.-THE
recognition of the Cuban insurgents. This
measure, if adopted, will alter the essential
features OF the case. II will give us tho right
to declare against the permanent occupation
of the island by the French and to insist that
the war in the Gulf shall be directed only
against the military power Of the Spaniards
aud not against the people or the independence
of Cuba. The great Importance Of this con-
sideration is apparent from the mere statement
of the facts.
It has been through a mistake, long per-
sisted in by our government, that this question
now presents itself in such a dangerous and
embarrassing form. Statesmanlike action in
regard to Cuba taken year ago in conformity
with the popular sentiment would have enabled
the Cubans to establish their Independence, or
would at least have left us in better position
to adopt the measures which the present occa-
sion demands 1t is not too late, However, for
prompt and decisive action, and we doubt not
General Grant will recognize the advantage
which his administration and the country will
derive from brilliant and vigorous stroke of
policy such as we have indicated. OF one
thing he may be well assured, that the people
Of the United States will never consent to
permit Cuba to remain even nominally in the
feeble grasp of Spain when that nation is about
to engage in hostilties in which two of the
great Powers of Europe are the chief actors.
Claim to Eishiy-Two Millions Property In
New York.