Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-01-25
Shall Cuba he Free?

The course of the United States with refer
ence to the struggle Of the Cubans for independ
ence is coming to be looked upon by many as
selfish and un-American- While this may be
the case, il must be remembered thatour course
n a nation in this instance has not been I'M
usual one. We have, throughout the contest
maintained eur amicable relations with Spain
and our respect for international law by not
recognizing the political existence of the insur-
gents. but we have done this by ignoring deem
feeling OF sympathy which exists among the
masses for them and their cause, and at the ex-
peuse Of universal conviction that il is orr
duty, either directly or indirectly to Interfere
to bring the bloody struggle to a close aud in
such way a. to give the one million OF blacks
Or the island their freedom, and TO emancipate
the people generally from the thraldOm of an
exaoting and tyrannieal government. Ly-
ing 50 near shores, and virtually a
part and parcel of America, the govern
ments OF Europe stand alOof mainly from q
feeling of delieacy, and refuse to interfere on
the ground that it is the peculiar province of
the UnIted States 20 decide when intervention
becomes an absolute necessity. There is proof
OF this in the expression of foreign Journals in
the principal countries of Europe, many of
which express surprise at our Indifference to
the hong and heroic struggle almost within sight
OF Our shores. The envoy of the Cubans to
Great Britain said, few days since, in New
York:
tat the British government will agree to any
rrIsonabie proposition that may be made by the
SJyernment of the United States with reference
- slavery in Cuba and giving Just rights to the
people. Let mo impress upon your mind this
TACT, that our salvation must come from this
government, for Great Britain locks upon Cuba,
n before said, "a an American question, and
will not take the initiative in the matter"
regard TO the feeling i'm Spain OH the sub
ject of slavery in Cuba he said:
I've have several Cuban organs, advocating
the abolition of slavery, notable one being Ei
4bGftctOntstQ, of Madrid, which is working in
connection with the anti-slavery societies of
London and Paris for the suppression of slavery.
Then we have the magnificent Oratory of Cas-
telar in the cortes pleading for the rights of the
negro. and lastly mass meetings in different
parts of Spain, in which resolutions are passed
calling upon the government TO suppress slavery
in Cuba and Porto Rico. At Barcelona, in
Spain. on the I'D OF December last, an immense
mass meeting was held, at which from twelve to
fifteen thousand persons assisted. A committee
was appointed at the meeting to wait upon the
American Consul, and to ask him To transmit to
his government report of the proceedings of
the mass meeting protesting against the con-
tinuanee of slavery III the Spanish Antilles.
The Consul promised t0 make the desired re port,
and after saluting the Stars and Stripes the
Committee retired.
1t must be clear even to the most limited
vision that human bondage. wherever il exists,
NOoiheN ~ NC sNCp away anu pidCe
with baleful memories of the elder time" 1t is
equally clear that Cuba will eventually be free.
ASIDE from POLITICAL there are humane rea-
sous which dictate change in the policy of the
L Isited States with reference to Cuba. 1t seems
to be admitted that prisoners no longer held
such by either side. AL are said to be ruth
lessly murdered, and in many instances name
les and revolving torture preceded the crash of
the fatal bullet or the last turn Of the terrible
earrOte. For four long years this internecine
struggle has been going on, and the protests Of
our government have been 50 unavailing that
they might as well have never been uttered.
The Cubaus ask for no direct aid from the
United States; all they want is to stand on an
equal footing with their enemy. BY their heroic
long suffering they merit the concession of belli
gerent rights from the United States, and, these
once conceded, they claim that their indepen-
dence Il as good as accomplished. The tone of
those parts of the Presidents message which
refer 70 Cuba shows that he Is not indifferent To
the struggle going on in that island, and he
would doubtless gladly cooperate with Congress
in any measures looking TO its speedy termina-
ton.