The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-09

1t is admitted on all hands that white men cannot
work in fields. have been assured that nearly
eighty per cent OF the whole white immigration fall
victims to the v0mito. Under these circumstances
1t appears to me that these islands will eventually
be almost wholly populated by the African race for
even that portion OF the immigrant Spanish who
escape the v0mito and become rich leave the island
as soon as they have amassed sufficient means and
return to Spain to enjoy their wealth. At present
there is strong tinge Of African blood in
many of the people who claim tn be consid-
cred white, and II the colored people were
enfranchised the process OF miscegenatlon
would no doubt progress with great rapidity.
On account OF the conflicting interests Of race 1t
appears to me impossible that Cuba could avoid
an internecine conflict In case she succeeded In
establishing her liberty, unless by attaching her.
self to some stronger Power. The choice would
seem to be, then. either to remain under the
Spanish nag or to enter the Union. There seems
to me to be no other alternative, for the mass Of
the people wholly united for sell-government,
owing to the want Of education. 1t has been the
policy or the government here as in Spain, to
keep the- people ignorant, in order the more easily
to exploit them. 1t ts q popularity OF the
Latin races that while they nave produced the
greatest men In almost all branches Of knowledge,
the degrading feudai system fastened ON them
in the Middle Ages has, up to the present, con-
signed the people to the darkest ignorance. The
ruling classes Of Spain and Italy and the old no.
biity Of France never could rise to the height OF
recognizing how much nobler and grander it Ii to
be the first citizen among free ana intelligent
community than the master Of degraded slaves.
So wrapped up are these feudalists in their self
Importance that they do not think they are
called upon to blush for the ignorance and
misery by which they are surrounded. 80
long az slaves burn incense before them they con-
slider themselves great, while the Intelligent world
looks on with pity and disgust at their folly and
selfish Indifference to the welbeing OF their people,
1t Is to be hoped that the revolution at present In
progress In Spain win not stop until 1t has swept
away every trace of the ancient and infamous
system. Let 1t do for Spain what $50 did for
France but without the excuses that stained that
glorious epoch. II the Cortes will only insist on
the absolute and immediate liberation OF the slaves
and introduce reforms into the administration OF
this island the chief danger that threatens her
would be removed Whether she can continue to
maintain possession of Cuba In the future, in view
OF the generally admitted hostility Of the Cuban
population, would have to be decided by time.
There Is very little to doubt that the spirit
Of the native population is animated by 4vf
$40 BITTER HOSTILITY TO SPAIN
and all belonging to her.. Indeed, the Spaniards
do not pretend that they are liked, and look with
In conversation lately with one OF the prominent
Spanish editors he stated that even the Cuban dogs
in the street hated the Spaniards. What appears
| most strange h that the immediate descendants
OF the immigrants the bitterest in their
hatred of Spain; at least l have been
so assured. It Is very difficult to find
any one who will commit himself by giving
expression to cuban sympathies because TIE
people were afraid OF rendering themselves sus-
pected-even the surrendered rebels are very
cautious. Since my arrival here although my
presence is pretty widely known to both Cubans
and Spaniards, have not been once approached by
any in the interest Of the insurrection to give
me the slightest information or help in my mission.
This is a circumstance that speaks well for the
prudence of the Cubans, but If persisted in during
my stay will be decidedly inconvenient.
For some days there has been vague rumOr
circulating among the Cubans in Havana that
Ell. HoLGUIN HAD BEEN SURPRISED
! by the insurgents under Vicente and Calixto
Garcia. As they what in the habit Of crcu.
lating rumors of imaginary victories particular
attention was paid to it. The affair has, however,
occurred beyond all doubt, and is much more
serious than was at first supposed. BY letters from
reliable Spanish sources we are informed that by q
'alse de gsser7e Colonel Wyler, commanding at Hol
! gum, was led to make sOrtie, and while he
| was gone some five hundred insurgents surprised
the town, killing major and several other supe-
rior officers and many soldiers and volunteers.
They took possession OF the place, plundered many
OF the chief stores, among Others the jewelry estab
lshment and then left with their booty. 1t is said
that the Colonel will be tried by court martial for
| having allowed himself to be surprised The gov
eminent report, which the Diarfo publishes this
morning, Is silent on these points, and, while ad-
| hitting the SURPRISE endeavOrs to turn serious
cha m Ol0 Tha NJ Aua
officers and four soldiers killed is admitted, but
| not word about the number wounded. We are
also asked to believe that the loss OF the enemy was
infinitely greater. The
DIsPROPORTION BETWEEN THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS
AND SOLDIERS KILLED
can only be ted for on the theory that 1--WE
| out OF every nine men in the Spanish army are
furnished with commissions, q popularity OF
organization that deserves the attention Of our
crack militia regiments Whether the account
| given by the authorities be the correct one
or not, it is certainly regarded with sus-
picion even by the Spanish adherents, while
the Cuban sympathizers would have us believe
that hall the town OF H0lpun has been destroyed.
One large store and nve shanties were admitted by
the Spaniards to have been burned. The import
ance OF this event cannot be measured exactly by
the loss inflicted, but must be looked at from the
moral efYect it win have in giving
l. CONFIDENCE TO THE INSURGENTS.
The FIRST serious check sustained by the Cubans
in the beginning OF the war OF liberation was in
Hoguin, where some fifty Spanish soldiers, with
valor and tenacity worthy Of the days OF Sara
gossa, dened the whole force Of the Instruction
and heroicaly main tanned their position until they
were relieved. Since then the town has remained
thorn In the side Of the Cuban leaders, and from
its strategcal position enables the Spaniards to
hamper the movements Of the insurgents.
In SO far as the latter have been unable
either to destroy the town or to maintain posses.
sion Of 1t, the Spaniards have some reason to be
thankful but 1t is not the policy OF the Cubans to
remain In towns There can be no question that