New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-26
GEN. RANKS ON CUBA.
PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE or THE ISLAND
PLEA FOR CUBAN INDEPENDENCE.

PLEA FOR CUBAN INDEPENDENCE.
Boston, Nov. 25.-" Cuba, its past, present
and future" the subject Of speech by Gen Banks
before the Boston Lyceum in the Music Han tonight.
He said that the close OF the first century OF republican
in this country had witnessed many changes,
giving rise important questions before considered
by the fathers OF the Republic One OF the questions was
the pornanence Of european Governments on tbs CON
tnent Russia had coded her possessions Denmark anu
Sweden had offered their Islands 20 the United Sate
the British possessions practically independent,
French islands in the Gulf OF Mexico were sub
stantaly Spain only adhered TO her views Of 100
years ago. He had the most friendly feeling
toward Spain; yet the questions presented called
for impartial consideration The United states 10 TINS
hour had never committed act toward Spain that
was for her protection She owed the present pos
OF the Gulf islands TO the supporter the United
States, and she had nothing to complain OF.
The United States had even interdcted a COM
binatiOn Of the Central American Republics 10
drive Spain from tho Western Hemlsphero-a line
OF policy advised by Washington and thus far
strictly adhered TO. As predicted by the first Presl-
dent had for the United States 20 assert
her power and the occasion at hand in the seizure
OF the VirHnius and the massacre Of her company
Other atrocities would follow If this passed without
traordinary notice. An American ship, with American
papers, an American nag and bill Of sale from the
American Government, had committed ofense yet
she was captured as a pirate because Spanish officers
at 10 style her so and serve her crew accordingly
The reparation made should be such put Il sop to
such atrocities forever.
Yet Gen. Banks discaimed any intention TO urge the
Government TO war tin every other had failed
Twenty-Five thirty thousand dollars indemnity by
Spain would he no preventive against repetition
However. she must be made feel her position keeny
He had long felt the need OF navy capable Of enforcing
the position Of the Government, whatever 1t might
be but in time OF peace every effort made To
build II up or even sustain 1t was denounced
az Job" and Of the kInd could be carried
through ought to be- This he knew by experience.
million white people, to say nothing Of 10000 free
blacks and 100000 slaves, subjected to tyranny
hardly known under other rule for the aggrandze
100000 resident Spanards In Cuba The Cubans
in 1868 formed Government and since that time had
held their against tyranny with loss % the
latter OF 100000 men, and the constant ployment OF
80 uenofwar with 400 guns augmented to 50 ships
and nearly 500 guns. In spite Of the amount paid by
Great Britain 10 Spain to induce her TO abolish the
slave trade, 1t had since been carried on to sustain the
plantation forces. Slavery woud end with the indie
pendence OF CUBA. our relations with the people OF
Cuba. with their record OF 500 battles in five years
should not he changed by any amount OF rcparation
Every European nation recognized the DelleeFency OF
the south rebellion, and the only complaint made by
the United States was against untruhful England.
Among quickest in the recognition spain, within
65 days after the first gun at Fort Sumter This much
least due TO Cuba AT the end OF five years of
scfsuetenance IN war The speaker quoted from Web
and other statesmen and writer's in support OF his
view, and wondered how tie United States could look
calmly contest near her shores and not even ex
press sympathy which exists nevertheless in the de-
SIRE To Cuba INDEPENDENT that traffic IN her sur
rounding waters be carried ON I'm peace. Gen.
Banks reiterated that the United States did not want
Cuba. Her independence from "A tyrannical OppressOr
was her right. and to that end her rccogni-
tiop should be determined upon at BY the
authorizes at Washington. Great Britain stood
aoof only through her oipations Of American O6ec
tiOns 10 her interference Western waters, but let
those objections withdrawn Great Britain would not
remain ~ hours acduiescent with Spain In her course
toward Cuba Once independent Cuba would soon have
ten million inhabitants, Instead OF meager million aud
half aud her commerce OF one hundred and ten mil
lions uf dollars, would swell TO thousand millions The
speakers views wen received. and many OF ms
points were warmly applauded.