Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-11-13
THE WAR I'M CUBA.

THE WAR I'M CUBA.
The revival in official and diplomatic
circles of interest in Cuban affairs, is one
of the signs of the times that the atten-
ton Of the people is being forced into
deeper channels of political thought
than that which is exercised concerning
oranges" "C@sarism, and other ques-
tons of inferior magnitude. 1t is we'll
known public fact that hostilities on the
part of the insurgent Cubans were never
more active than now, nor were Cuban
patriot leaders ever more determined to
secure the absolute independence of the
Queen of the Antilles. The recent ag-
gressive action of the Spanish authori-
ties in the matter of the Virginius, may
have an effect in procuring an interven-
ton of this country in the struggle of
the Cuban insurgents, that they could
not obtain in any other way. Having
ourselves once revolted from tyranny,
and having secured independence in the
blood of a great revolution, the Ameri-
can people more naturally sympathize
with Il people justly struggling to be
free, and we cannot restrain the convic-
ton that further bloodshed on that
beautiful island cannot result in any
good to the Spanish domination, and
even if they can prolong the war until
they exhaust and conquer the revolution
lists it will be positive injury to the
cause of human civilization, and but
deferring of the day when the CALLING
yoke will be lifted from the neck of the
Cuban people.
The industries and resources of Cuba
are of Importance in forming just esti-
mate of the probable result of the pres
ent struggle. The island has an area of
nearly AZ, 900 square miles, with a pop
ulation of about 1850, 000 1t is in the
form of a crescent, some sixteen humid
red miles in length. 1t has a range of
mountains from the east to the west,
and from their foot the country extends
into plains, meadows, and savaunahs,
with here and there a few swampy
tracts. Ninety miles is the length of
the longest coast in Cuba, but all along
the river there are plenty of excellent
harbors. In the interior the climate is
very healthy. Nowhere is vegetation
more abundant, and the island is dotted
with forests of mahogany, ebony, cedar,
and other valuable woods. Its chief
products are tobacco, sugar, and coffee,
and the preparation of these articles for
the market form the principle manufac-
lures. Its exports amount to about one
hundred millions annually, or nearly
one-third of the amount of the annual
exports of the United States Spain has
not a 1.-THE of the strength or military
prestige of Great Britain in t775, and
the present resources and population OF
Cuba far exceed that of our thirteen col
onies when we overthrow English demon
nation in this country.
The Spanish first settled on the Island
of Cuba in 1911, since which time they
have held an almost uninterrupted pos
session, but for the first three centuaries
it was of no material advantage to the
mother country, and averaging with the
other American possessions of Spain in
drawing from her treasury for about the
salaries and Governors and officers sent
out to hold the island in subsection. In
about 1910, the ports of Cuba were
opened to the commerce of the world,
and she has been constantly gaining
strength and commercial Importance
since that time. The island can easily
support a population of fifteen mil
lions or more, and not one half of its re-
sources in land and mineral wealth have
ever been occupied or developed. These
are some Of the reasons accounting for
the grip of Spain on its throat, and why
tits regarded as so great prize.
The island constitutes bnt one province,
governed by minister appointed by
Spain, although it is divided into thirty
or more jurisdictions, and the ostensi-
BILE purpose of this rebellion is to obtain
the independence of the island from all
foreign rule, and to establish such a
government as the people shall prefer
among themselves. The Roman Catho-
lie religion is established by law to the
exclusion of all Others, and is the most
Objectionable feature in the policy of the
people, though it would be a natural re-
suit of success in this revolution for all
religious restrictions to be repealed, and
all kinds of worship to be tolerated, be-
cause we look upon national religion,
established by law, as the greatest OBJ
stacle in the way of human progress and
freedom. Just what their immediate
prospects are; just what the immediate
future of aggressive movements will de-
velop, and what attitude our own gov
eminent will assume toward Cuba we
cannot know, but our sympathies are all
with the Cuban desire for independence,
and we have great faith in their ability
to achieve it, if they are united and pru
dent, and unless ample satisfaction is
given for the Virginius outrage, the
United States may be required to take
measures that will materially assist the
Cuban revolution. -: ~
Whenever we hear man making! a
OlSnarauinn incinuo Il. ,-ax-arJ H,