The New York herald., 1870-02-04
Oar News from Cuba-The Opportunity o.
the Government.

/
particular tho special despatch in the HERALD
of Sunday last relative to the complete defeat
of Puello's forces and success Of the Cubans
under General Jordan. The Spanish Consul
and Spanish agents here pretended to doubt
the news we published, and made e1traordi-
nary eAbrts to throw discredit upon the
| despatch. They were afraid Of the effect
upon the American government and public,
and were silly enough to suppose they could
destroy the facts by simply denying them. 1t
was the cid story Of the ostrich burying It's
head in the sand and forgetting that all the
rest Of its body was exposed. Such
simple and red tape officials do not
comprehend the enterprise and mission of
the press. The independent press of this
country hes the means and expends large sums
Of money TO get at facts before the govern
ments most deeply interested hear anything
about them. 1t will be remembered that the
HERALD furnished not only the American pub
lie with She important news of the Abyssinian
war in advance, but that it gave to the British
government and press the first information of
the storming and taking of Magdala. Our
news from Cuba of the important battle OF
Guaimaro showed the same enterprise and re-
liability. Though the Spanish officials here pre-
tended to doubt it, we knew it was reliable, and
said SO. The letters of our correspondents now
corroborate what had been previously stated
in the special telegram to this paper. If gov
ernment officials, Spanish, American, or any
others, could understand the mission of the
Independent press and its means and opportu-
mites, they would trust to that sooner than to
the statements of their own agents. Spanish
canards and bombastic declarations Of what
the Spanards are doing and going to do will
be received hereafter in their proper light.
| A new aspect is given to Cuban affairs and
the Cuban question by the success Of General
Jordan at Guaimaro and by the news generally
Of the condition OF things in Cuba There
may be contingencies in the war not always
| looking 80 favorable to one slde, for that is
| the fate of war generally; but this success Of
the patriots shows they have strength enough,
not only to whip the Spaniards in an important
and well prepared battle, in which consider
able forces Of all arms were engaged, but that
they have both the skill and courage to main
tain the struggle for independence. When we
consider, too the disadvantages they have
| labored under from the first-wanting arms
and materials of war, and that they were
poorly organized till lately--when we consider
| that they were under the necessity Of Great
| ing nearly all the materials with which
to fight their enemy, and that but little
| aid has been obtained from abroad, it
| is fair to conclude they will never be
subjugated by the Spaniards. In this vic
tory at Guaimaro General Jordan has shown
that he was just the man the Cubans needed
and the man for the occasion. He is one Of
the best educated military men of America, or
of the world, has had great experience in war,
and is no doubt more than match for any
general the Spaniards can send against him.
Cespedes the President Of Cuba, showed his
wisdom, discrimination and liberal mind when
he made this American General Commander
in Chief Cespedes himself is evidently man
of great resources, tenacity Of purpose, cool
ness, courage and prudence. With two such
men at the head of the revolutionary move
|
their cause will be successful
What, now, ought the United States govern
| ment to do in the case Of Cuba ? 1t has been
| too Indifferent and too slow heretofore. In
fact it has given aid and comfort to the Span
| iards, and has acted more as the enemy of
the Cubans and the cause of liberty
than the friend. While the lamented General
Rawlins was living, and a member of the
Cabinet the President was disposed to recog-
nize the Cubans as belligerents or their inde-
pendence. Indeed, it is understood that it had
been resolved upon and the time fixed for issu-
ing a proclamation Of recognition. After
Rawlins' death the policy was changed. The
President listened to the cold and narrow
minded men in his Cabinet and to the mis-
representations Of Spanish agents, and aban-
doned the Cubans. The Secretary of State
and Attorney General, backed by Senator
Sumner, made the President believe that the
Cubans had no chance Of success, and, in fact,
that the nsurrection was ''on its last legs"
They made great efforts to deceive the Ameri-
can people in the same way, for the purpose of
covering up their own weakness and narrow
minded policy. They did not venture to avow
themselves enemies Of republican freedom on
American soil and thus openly oppose pub
lie sentiment, though they really were,
but pretended that the Cubans were
incapable OF carrying on the struggle
for liberty. This pretext will hold good no
longer. The battle of Guiamaro has settled
that What, then, ought the government to
do now? Undoubtedly it should recognize at
once the belligerent character or independence
of the Cubans.
Congress has begun to move in the matter.
The resolution Of General Logan, which was
adopted by the House of Representatives on
Wednesday, to the effect that the people Of