The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-23
The imprisonment OF Journalists by
the Spaniards I'm Cuba.

The imprisonment OF Journalists by
the spaniards in Cuba.
The average American who has grown up
with ideas of freedom naturally regards with
astonishment the arbitrary action of the
Cuban authorities in successfully finging two
writer's for tho NEW YoRK HERALD into prison.
months residence on the island would be
sufficient to disabuse his mind of the first
feeling OF just indignation. It would be sup
planted by sentiment wherein pity would be
tne leading emotion. Liberty Of the press is not
merely repugnantto the strong intolerance of
the ruling classes, but is unknown to them. The
masses have never tasted it, and its want is q
sensation they must learn to measure by its
use. The bitter recriminations which are now
the principal feature of the Cuban newspapers
remind one of the swapping at each other of
animals in barred cage instead of the con-
test of intelligences under unembarrassed cir
cumstances The censors prescribe the bounds
in which the fight must be conducted, and,
ong,Ais ct ung,Ais, it may proceed SO long
as the bars are around them. They never at
tempt to question the government on matters
duct of the war, no matter how loyal the
writer or how great the abuses attacked, would
expose the writer to the fate of the HERALD
correspondent. The application Of this in
quisitorial code to writer's of foreign nation
atty who furnish information for the indie
pendent journals Of foreign countries is some
thing which the Spanish authorities in Cuba
hope to perpetrate. The Imprisonment of
Mr.. Price is proof that the Cuban authori-
ties, in their shortsighted imbecility, imagine
they can exclude the light by placing man
or two in prison. They shall be completely
convinced of the futiity Of this conceit.
Mr.. Price has been absolutely cut off from
communication by the Spanish authorities.
Consul General Torbert telegraphs us that he
(the representative Of the United States) has
been refused permission to see Mr.. Price.
The attitude Of the American government will
decide whether Captain General Pieltain and
his subordinates will be allowed with impunity
TO imprison and incommunicate American
citizens indefinitely without stated charges.
There is point at which all free govern
ments must act in self-defence or allow last
ing stigma to attach to their name. The petit
Jogging of the Cuban authorities in the case
Of Mr.. Price should bring that point to
prompt issue.
The rumors regarding the trial of Mr..
O'Kelly in Havana we publish as forwarded
to us. The disposition of that gentleman
already announced from Madrid is probably
an answer to the rumors. aaa
= --e e. : e. Il SO. Z -xr..f y.
The Polarts-The Herald anu the Navy
Department.
The graphic and detailed account of the
expedition of Captain Hall in search of the
open Polar Sea, and the unparalleled suffer-
ings of the nineteen survivors of the ill-fated
enterprise (for the rescued crew can be con-
sidered in the light of survivors until we hear
from the missing stsamer), the charges of
laxity Of discipline, perversity and SO forth
laid against the successor in command to
Captain Hall, the romantic tale of human en-
durance and almost superhuman fortitude for
six months on precarious ice foe, and the
conflicting accounts Of the failure of the expe-
dition, which were presented to the public in
the HERALD of Wednesday, have excited no
small commotion among the officials Of the
Navy Department at Washington. Secretary
Robson is of the opinion that Captain Hall
did not come to his death by improper
means, and some of his subordinates think
that a better selection might have been
made for the command Of such an
expedition. AS faithful chronicler of
news the HERALD has given the earliest reports
of the expedition from the only sources attain
able for that purpose. Without expressing
any opinion as to the validity Of the charges
urged by the rescued explorers, it awaits
an opportunity for those still on the
Poaris to give their version Of the
affair. When the Polaris is found there may
be revelations that viii, place the history Of the
expedition in o different light. Meanwhile,
in view Of such q serious condition of affairs,
the Navy Department should be prepared to
institute searching investigation into the
conduct of every one connected with this ex-
petition 1t should also, without delay,
adopt our suggestion by sending the expert
enced Arctic explorer, DR.. Hayes in search Of
the Polaris, in some vessel like the Tigress,
fitted for the navigation Of the tempestuous
waters of the icy Pole. This is imperative on
the Department, and should be done without
delay
Great Britain as Dealer In Slaves.
In the early part of last November there was