The New York herald., 1873-12-17


the coast. the navy OF the island destroyed, trade
paraIyzed and the slaves coolies and Cubans In re-
bellion, 1t Is easy to see the struggle must be
brief one Considerations OF this kind must have
forced their way in on the heated minds OF
the members OF the Casino EspahoI. ana
satisfied them it was rank lunacy to try conclusions
with spain and America combined.
SLAVERY THE soRE POINT.
II was that stipulation mentioned in q despatch
OF the HERALD's from Washington concerning the
abolition OF slavery In Cuba that made the most
commotion. Abolish slavery. and half the rich
Spaniards on the island would be compelled TO emil
CRATE some where else. II would take away rom
under their feet the foundation OF their wealth and
leave them paupers. slave labor In Cuba was
never 80 valuable as it is to-day, because the de-
mand was never 80 great for the three staple pro-
ductons OF the s0i-c0nee, sugar and tobacco.
The Southern planters IN the war OF the rebellion,
fought for the preservation OF slavery
and the same material considerations that innu-
enced them in their long and tremendous resist
ance to the Union would control the Spanish
planters OF Cuba II they were able to
venture on struggle with the states
They should deem an attack from America
what the southerns deemed the abolition crusade
assault upon certain class OF their property
which the law of the land acknowledged and pro-
said he fought for independence; the Spanish
planter wishes It to be understood that. If ne
fghts 1t will be for the honor Of Spain. The fight
ing purpose OF both Ii the same-the preservation
Of their property in slaves. The Southern people
were never placed under any such commercial
obligations to the North as the Spaniards OF Cuba
to the American nation America IL the great
market for the productions OF the country, and 1t
is an indisputable fact that three-f0urths OF the
sweat OF the slave on this island to-day is given
that America may have her sugar and tobacco.
AMERICA FOSTERING SLAVERY IN CUBA
According to statistics the consumption OF sugar,
which is all the time increasing was about 40 pounds
per capita In the United States for the year 1871
while the importation OF sugar into the country
that year was three times the quantity imported
20 years previously in the year 1861. The United
States imported from Cuba rs per cent of the sugar
and molasses crop in 1871. Great Britain II per
cent. South OF Europe per cent, France per
cent North Of Europe per cent ana all other
ports 2per cent. For years past the balance OF
trade between the United States and Cuba has
been in favor OF the latter to the extent OF
$50, 100000 in gold paid annually, and
all the while increasing America Is more
or less responsible for the nourishing
state OF slavery in Cuba today. and Spanards who
own slaves, and are rich through that ownership,
nation that their slaves so valuable and puts
vast sums Of money in their own pockets from year
to year. Cuba cannot be . member Of the Union
until she is purged of slavery. Spanish slaveown-
ers know this. and they are not the people to pro-
woke America by standing on any ceremony con-
nected with the prompt satisfaction OF the Ameri-
can demands in the matter OF the virginius; but
when 1t comes to requiring OF them the surrender
OF their slave property without compensation they
see no equivalent in annexation to reimburse them
for the sacrifice. and they storm and talk of fight
ing.
The position
THE EDITORIAL FRATERNITY OF HAVANA
have taken during the crisis makes curious
study OF the fluctuations to which the Spanish
journalistic mind is apt to be subject In periods Of
extraordinary excitement. At the first blush OF
the American demands, so formidable and severe,
the editors said nothing. They were bewildered,
and knew not which way to turn. They were
unaware that Madrid had agreed to certain con-
ditons which were satisfactory to Washington.
To their minds 1t seemed as If America,
in all the panoply OF war, red paint,
feathers and tomahawk, was waiting outside
Havana and ready at a moments notice to walk
straight in and take the scalp OF every Spaniard,
and more particularly OF every Spanish editor on
the island. They were mute and awe-struck at the
agreed to do what America asked, and presently
occurred burst OF patriotic Indignation that in
lervor OF expression was never eXceled. But there
was method in this outpouring Of journalistic
wrath. Beyond all that seeming reckessness OF the
hour the journalistic vision reached to the safe con-
clusion, without giving it expression, that If Spain
could afford to accept the conditions OF America
Cuba might do ikewise-that, in Short Cuba could
save her honor by throwing the onus OF surrender
on Madrid and that, as America was pacifed, and
all prospect Of bloody war banished, II would be
perfectly harmless to indulge in little theatri-
cal thunder to crafty the popuace. You have
already learned Of
THE oUTBURsT AMONG PRESS AND PEOPLE
that followed the news OF Spain's submission.
Among the editors OF Havana the thought was
never for moment cherished that they should be
brought face to face with red handed war. The
rhetoric they fired on was never meant for that.
1t was simply that artificial thunder which editors
from time immemorial employ to divert their read.
ers and relieve themselves. But IL did not suit
that this should go too far, and when the peremp.
tory order from CASTELAR, came to give up the ves-
sci and the prisoners the valiant editors were
forced to have recourse to different style OF writ
ing. Where they had been Offering fiery hot brandy
spced with cayenne pepper to their readers, they
now found it needful to substitute q gentle sooth-
ing srup cool and mild as lemonade. When the
Captain General put his foot down and said he
should do as he was ordered they
CRAwLED DOWN, LIKE CAPTAIN scorT's COON,
and ever since they have been occupied in prepar.
ing to eat humble pie. BY the day appointed for
the delivery Of the yrginius the gallant editors OF
Havana will be prepared to tell their readers that
Spanish honor is satisfied and that America has
been vanquished in diplomacy. The Havana edi
toria mind has certainly ranged all the gamut Of
feeling from JOY to despair within the past few
weeks, and what wonder now If we find that the
disgust and WEAKNESS caused by such an
exhausting experience should induce two
distinguished editors, Gil Gelp, Of the
Constancid and Don Juan de ARIA, OF the Dtario,
to sever their connection with journalism forevers
Gil Gelpi has already resigned and is about leav.
ing for spain, and the otner. who is a worthy and
nd Ina q och M iourn lfaf