New-York tribune., 1870-10-11
cUBA-THE STRUGGLE And TIE PROSPECT

CUBA-THE STRUGGLE IND TIE PROSPECT
The Cuban party of independence and liber-
alton have displayed the most remarkable per-
sistency in carrying on their struggle with the
formidable military power of Spain. At times,
during the two years of the insurrectlon-mOre
especially during its first half-year-the pros
poets of its success were encouraging; but
more frequently, and for a much longer period,
the outlook has been gloomy. The Spaniards
have always had vast preponderance OF force,
and an equally great superiority of other re-
sources. They have driven the patriots from
their strongholds, defeated them in the field,
prevented them from forming effective COM
binatons or receiving reGnforcements and sup
plies. Their policy has at the same time been
most cruel and sanguinary. They have mas
sacred their prisoners, executed thousands OF
defenseless and unarmed sympathizers, and
put humanity to the blush in their treatment
of women. The record of their operations
during the last two years-Or since the acces-
sion to power of De ROdas and Valmaseda-
could hardly be exceeded for barbarity and
infamy, and deserves to take its place with
the bloOdiest and foulest chapters of the Span
ish annals. But the party of liberation, though
growing smaller in numbers and more limited
in resources, and though lately confined to
less territory than formerly, has never been
broken down, and has not yet given up the
struggle. We hear from time to time, mainly
through Spanish sources, of their fighting at
one place or another, of their appearing here
and there, of their attempted operations, of
their projected plans, of their courage under
the most desperate circumstances, and of their
faith in ultimate success. If the Spaniards
have reduced their power, it has been at a
fearful cost to Spain in men and money; and
if Spain intends to prosecute the work of
crushing them, there are suiferings and
losses yet awaiting her no less grievOus than
those she can infct 1t may safely be esti-
mated that the cost of Cuba to Spain during
the last two years has been not less than
forty thousand men and one hundred millions
of dollars.
We trust there is satisfactory foundation for
the reports that have lately reached us from
Madrid that the Spanish Regency has at last
begun to take into serious consideration the
necessity of a change of policy regarding
Cuba There are many reasons for this The
Regency cannot afford to continue war so
proftless to itself and so disastrous to all par
ties. 1t requires all its resources and energies
for recOnstituting the political order, and re-
establishing the fundamental power of Spain
herself, whose interests and prospects in
Europe have been seriously damaged of late
by the diversion of her strength to her Cuban
colony. These facts have been keenly appre-
hended by the Regency since the outbreak of
the Franco German war; and it would not be
i'm the least surprising if it should turn out
that Serrano and Prim have determined to rid
themselves in some way of the terrible embar-
rassment under which they have labored ever
since the overthrow of Queen Isabella We trust
that the new Captain General of Cuba, who has
lust been appointed as the successor of the i'm
placable and impracticable De Rodas, will be
able to do something in the way of bringing
about this desirable consummatiOn.
| The diplomacy and negotiations of our own
Government in regard to Cuba-though they
have not always or in all respects received
our approval-have yet given proof OF the
great interest which President Grant has
always taken in bringing about settlement
advantageous to Cuba honorable to Spain, and
calculated to advance the interests and extend
the area of freedom. 1t is over year since
Secretary Fish, by direction of the President
offered the good Offices" of this Government
to the Cabinet of Madrid in the case of Cuba.
The proposed base of action was Q) the
ackno wledgment of Cuban independence by
Spain; (2) the payment of an indemnity and
the furnishing of security therefor by Cuba;
| (3) the abolition of Slavery; (4) an armistice
during negotiations. When these propositions
were presented to the Spanish Council, Mar
ID. I;.H atinfr that hsu nul1
not be considered till the insurgents laid
down their arms; but that then the
whole subject would be open for consid-