The New York herald., 1871-08-01

standpoint at present. The next few months
or next year may present different aspect of
the Presidential question.
Tho Cuban Question In the SPANS
Cortes.
Senior Labra, Cuban by birth and
Spaniard by education and almost life
long association, recently made move
ment in the Spanish Cortes which brought the
Cuban question before the house. He gave
his views of the condition of Cuba, and stated
what he believed was necessary to regcnerate
the island and bring its people once more
within the fold of Spanish protection in a
calm and liberal spirit Throughout the
whole of his address, which we publish in
there turks the secret fear that the remaining
colonies of Spain in the New World
are gradually slipping away from the
mother country. As movement to
prevent such an accomplishment, or as a step
rather to delay such an event, Seior Labra
suggests that slavery should be abolished,
and that policy based upon the democratic
principles of the constitution of 1869 be pur-
sued toward the Spanish colonies 10 the West
Indies. In the words of the legislator himself,
he says, Sin Cuba there exists brutal rule"
produced 'by the very conditions Of the
struggle" in which the insurgents and the
Spaniards are at present engaged. And with
what results may we not, at the present
time, ask9 Spain has already sent to the
Antilles over ffty-six thousand troops to
subdue the revolution-to this large
army may be added the volunteers-aud
yet the insurrecti0n which broke out In
Yara in 1868 and spread over the island is
far from being stamped out. No one knows
this better than the members of the Spanish
Cortes. The complaint that the policy of send
thousand men, when force of thirty thousand
was needed, was made use of to show that the
subjugation Of the rebellion was mere ques-
ton of strength; but to prove how impossible
it is for the Spanish nation to send to Cuba Q
force such as is urged various answers might
be adduced. Internal disssnsions, the strifes
of parties, q beggared treasury and .
limited army all suggest the impossibility Of
the crushing of the Cuban insurrection by such
force as Sehor Labra advocates. The liberal
measures which he proposes, such as the
abolition of slavery and the granting Of liberal
reforms to the islanders, were not needed, and,
indeed, the only decision arrived at was, il
the Cubans desired peace they could have 1t
by submission to the government. Should
they continue to maintain hostility to Spain then
the work Of determination should 20 on.
Marshal SerrauO had nothing better to suggest
for settlement than acknowledgment OF
Spanish supremacy or war and determination.
This, he said, was sour policy" Topete
spoke in the same strain, and, indeed, through
out the whole debate on the Cuban question it
was evidenced that submission or determination
was the rule to be applied to the 'Ever Faith
ful Isle." Submission first and then reforms.
The world knows what reforms conquerors
grant to the conquered, and history fails to
point out q single instance where Spanish
magnanimity ever rose TO set aside the general
rule Of defeated people-rebels, IL you please,
being treated other than conquered and humili-
ated, and consequently unworthy Of recogni-
ton and undeserving of concessions.
DANGEROUS COMPLICATIONS threaten TO
arise between France and Italy. According
to our special despatch the vote Of the
National Assembly regarding the temporal
powers Of the Pope has created much
bad feeling in Rome. Already the
Italian papers are discussing the chances
Of . war with France. The Minis
try is accused Of being the plant tool OF
the French government and of having betrayed
the country. That the Italian Ministers should
be charged with pliancy and treason seems
unscconntable 10 US. But there is so much
coherency in the report that we cannot refuse to
it our credence. The majority of the French
Assembly is more reactionary in Its tendencies
than the Theirs government, and not unwil-
ling to launch out into war with Italy. But
we believe that the voice OF reason will make
itself heard and prevent war between the
two nations.
AN AMERICAN UNION ASSOCIATION has been
formed In Baltimore. II was stated by the
President at the first public meeting that this
was no primary meeting; the movement had
already begun, and would soon extend to the
far West. II was not only Ia New York that
its influence would be felt. We will soon show
TO the world that Americans can and will rule
America. A city convention is to be hold on
the 9th Instant, whst. neKss