New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-12-14

COrtes and restitution OF property. Inc
Cubaps can only expect death from them
This is proved by the treatment OF the
blacks in 1874. Many of them were
iards affected to believe that conspiracy
existed among them, a conspiracy OF which
no proof has been found after thirty years,
and under the lash and by the rifle they
were all exterminated. A great poet, Pla-
cido, persisted among them. Considering
these precedents, demonstrating as they do
that the Cubans are fighting for lite, 1t is
| easy to see how they have been able to neu-
traiize the most energetic efforts of the
| Spaniards.
Placed in close proximity to this great
| republic, identified in their interests with it,
and this nation being the only one which
| from its character and position was
likely to favor them, they have applied to
| it-not for arms, not for vessels, not for men.
They limited themselves to asking q recog-
| milton of the fact that war existed between
| the colony and the home government. and
| that in such war the American Union should
remain neutral. There is wide difference
between this modest request and the petit
| ton of Deane. Franklin, Arthur Lee and
John Adams, asking for money, arms, YES
| sells and soldiers.
The Cubans purchased a man-of war,
which put into Wilmington, and was there
were forced to admit the United States did
not recognize their flag. Thsv were CON-
pelied to run the blockade to supply their
| forces. They believed Spain had no right
| to overhaul American vessels carrying arms,
| or more power than to arres persons break
ing municipal laws in her jurisdiction. Yes
sells were sent without violating the laws of
the United States. Not to compromise the
American flag, those in charge were direct
IN la Of N
attack by the Spaniards outside of Spanish
waters, as should they be captured by a
Spanish man Of-war on the high seas they
would receive the protection OF this nation;
protection which, on several occasions,
had been extended to the Hornet, the Edgar
Stuart and the Virginius by American na-
tional vessels. 1t is wei to state the fact
that If the Virglnius was really intended to
land arms in Cuba the cause of her surren-
der without any resistance was the convic
ton that she was not subject to legal cap
ture outside Of Spanish jurisdiction. The
world knows the result in the recent slaugh-
ter in Santiago. What can be said against
the Cubansf They were not permitted men
Ofwar. They were not allowed to assist
their struggling countrymen in any other
way. Will it be exacted of them by Amer
leans that they should give over all at
tempts at such assistance and yield to the
inevitable determination which would
follOw3
The Cubans have expended many millions
Of dollars Spain imposes contribution of
$32. 900 600 in addition to municipal extor-
tons. The United States takes the pro-
ducts of Cuba and returns supplies OF every
kind. notwithstanding the high rate Of
duties. 1t is resort Of Cubans for resi-
dence and Investment. Had the outbreak
of 1868 been postponed for three years few
wealthy Cubans would have remained ON the
island. Large numbers of them are ma
turalized citizens, and from them supplies
are drawn. The resident Cubans of the
United States have increased fve-fold the
wealth Of the cigar manufacturing interest
since 1868. They have contributed con-
stantly to the Cuban fund. They have dis
tinguished representatives in all the pro-
LESSONS, trades and sciences. AS many
have gone in the expeditions to Cuba az
could be provided with transportation.
Only few capable of hearing arms remain.
There are 5000 only, including women and
children, in The United States. They are
peaceable, sober ami industrious.
The objections TO recognition are an
swered by the facts that the Cubans have
government, a constitution and a leglsla-
ture. 1t has existed since April 10, 1869,
and in no instance have its orders been dis
Obeyed. The military strength of the
Cubans is proved by its successful combats
with the Spaniards. the occupation of Hol-
gum and Santa Cruz, and the land blockade
around ManzanillO ana Puerto Principe.
There are daily fights. The advance guard
of the Cubans is always in sight of the ad.
vance guard of the Spaniards. The Span
ish official reports present evidence of the
constantly increasing strength of the liber-
atlng army. Twenty thousand patriots are
to-day on war footing. While they have
no marine force it is useless for them TO re-
Al.
them recognition, and they will have forts
aud a marine. 1t is not necessary to have
forts to be belligerent. Texas had none.
Juarez had mono when driven to the from
tier. St. Domingo had none in 1851.
Be1igerency results from the existence of
an armed force which fights against an-
other force, the ultimate result of the con-
test remaining in doubt, and this condition
certainly exists within the republic OF Cuba.
THE fact is that the question of the recogni-
ton of belligerency is not based on any
fixed rule and depends upon the will and |
the interest of the ration having to deal |
with it. The United States and England |
recognized the Delligerency, and afterward |
the independence of the Spanish American |
republics, not only because they thought it |
just, but because it harmonzed with their |
own iaterest Tbs allied nations, in their |
recognition of the belAgerency and indepeu-
dence of Greece. were actuated by the |
same motives. Belgium was recognized as |
independent in 1880 by the nations of Eu |
rope because they considered it in keeping |
with their swn interest. The United States |
recognized the belgnerency and indepen-
dence of Texas because they considered it
to their own interest. The same United |
States treated Mexico as republic when |
she was a de facto empire because they con-
sidered this course to their own interest.
Interest, and, before everything, interest,
has always ruled diplomacy since this
modern invention was applied by LOUIS XII. |
and Ferdinand V. And there is no other
than that, in the disposition Of
the Cuban question, interest, and only in
terest, will control the action of this nation
The letter goes on to analyze the causes
which made the then dominant party OF the
Union discountenance the design Of Bolivar
to free Cuba, the guarantee to Spain by the |
trl-partite alliance; shows the Immense adj
vantage in pursuing an opposite policy to
the United States, to justice and humanity;
the increase of wealth lit an alliauce) would
produce and the honor and glory arising
from it.
The Cubans await the decision of the
American government at this critical mo-
uent. If it is in favor of Justice, humanity
and freedom, they will bow in gratitude TO
Providence, acting in conformity to the
sacrifices already made. If in favor of the
of the present condition of
affairs, they shall continue to the end in the
struggle in which they have 80 long, and at
the cost of 40 much blood and treasure,
been engaged.
The admirable document concludes as
follows:
The undersigned, in the name of the gov
which be has the honor TO repre-
sent. anticipates the expression OF his gra-
-itude to the government OF the United
States.
For it is impossible to suppose that the
ligh-Inlnded statesmen of the Great Re
public have determined upon q status ono,
inl, I'LL lux