Daily Kennebec journal., 1873-12-12
CUBA.

length as to justify the opinion that this
government will have no war on her ac-
count at this time. But the difficulties to
encounter in reaching such conclusion
have been serions. trying the wisdom and
patience of the administration at Wash
ington in no ordinary manner. When
the Cubans learned that the Virginius was
to be given up their indignation was red
hot and their protestations loud against
it. The Casinos, led by the Havana club,
spouted defiance to the order for surren-
der, rendering dangerous the attempt of
the Spanish officials to execute their in
structions from Madrid The press of the
island famed the spirit of resistance in
editorials that were absolutely rebellious.
One of them went SO far as to declare that
the Cubans must and would take part with
those who ale opposing CASTELAR, and the
republic. The proclamation of the Cap
tain General calling upon the people to
be calm and take the situation coolly ere
ated violent discussion. The Echo de Gu
la said: 1--WE, Spaniards. born in this or
''in any other part of the seas, protest be
"fore God and the consciences of our
brothers, against any agreement which
marks our ioreheads with the seal Of OPP
''probrium. The Spaniards of Cuba do
mot wish to see dragged through the mud
''the flag which was raised in this island
three hundred years ago in the august
name Of Isabel, the Catholic. Let our
"brothers of both hemispheres understand
"well that Spain does not possess single
''sailor in Cuba. not single soldier, who
Twill give up the Virginius to the cne-
''mies Of our nation, as she does not pos
''sess one single man who will not rather
''sink with it to the bottom OF the sea.
''Let them understand also that this reso-
''lntion is unanimous"
1t is not difficult to understand the
causes Of the feeling among the Cubans.
What they conceived to be a meritorious
act, the capture of the Virginius, was
turned by the settlement to deed of dis
grace. The butcheries which they had
committed as upon pirates they were to
be called 10 answer for as murders. And
in addition to this humiliation was the
fact that the Madrid government which
they despised was the authority that called
upon them to humble themselves in the
dust. 1t was double humiliation. first
to submit to the demand of the United
States government; second to yield unwil-
ling obedience to the authority of CASTELAR,.
No wonder that the officers of the Tornado
threatened to throw up their commissions
and that Americans found Havana an un-
comfortable place to reside in.
The moderation of our government un-
der the circumstances is highly to be COM
mended. The Madrid government was
inclined to and consented to make repara.
ton for the offence committed against our
dag, but the spirit of the Cubans was so
violently opposed to surrender that they
were prepared to do any deed of madness
had they been pushed. AT the risk of be-
ing misunderstood, perhaps, the admins
tration gave the passions of the Cubans
time to cool, and now the terms ofthe sur
render will be carried out as agreed upon,
without the burning of hostile powder or
shedding OF blood. A more complicated
web of difficulties has seldom been pre-
sented for the solution of statesmen. A
better termination on our part than that
which now seems fully assured could not
have been expected.