New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-15

Of entry, nor fortress, nor navy.
1t has simply given the United States
q just and grave cause OF quarrel Win opah'
which we hope the Government VIII handle
wisely and firmly. 1t is our flag winch mas
been insulted, and we must demand ana e1-
act redress for that. 1t would be illogicai
and puerile-it would be little less than Span
ish--to answer an injury like this by proca-
nation of recognition to the Cuban Republic.
The interests of the Cubans would not he
subseryed by mere recognition. III they had
navy and fortified seaports and possession OF
any considerable portion OF territory' IL wouid
be an advantage to them to De recognized rs
belligerents. 1t would then place them on
terms approaching equality with SPAN so
far as we are concerned. But In
the present position OF affairs, the
insurgents would lose rather than gain by
such AN act. The moment state OF war Is
acknowledged by US the privileges OF Spain on
the high seas would be greatly enlarged. her
right of search would be extended so as
to embrace such cases as that against
which we are now rightfully protesting
Why then, it may be asked, do the
Cubans desire recognition, and does SPAN
dread it9 Simply because they both know
that il would inevitably lead to complications,
which in spite of our own intentions "oulu
speedily drag us into the quarrel, ana AFTER
a war with Spain, end in the independence OF
annexation of the Island. when the time
comes for us to annex Cuba, or to make war
mon Spain. we can do it without any such
pretexts as these.
Tn short this is our affair, and not that OF
the Cuban Republic. The murderous folly or
the Peninsuars at Santiago has not III the
least changed the political status OF the IN
surrection. 1t ia absurd to say that IL Cas-
telar cannot keep the peace IN santiago
therefore Cespedes can. 1t is for us to say TO
the Government at Madrid that if they cannot
prevent or adequately punish outrages to our
flag in Cuba, We must take the matter III
hand ourselves. But 1t is our duty 10 give
them first the opportunity to test their author
ity. however much we may doubt theH
ability to give Us the reparation we require
Sooner or later, we all know what the result
will be. Cuba is lost to Spain. but only the
interested or the frivolous contemplate what
will follow, without the most serious con-
Germ, 1t is hard to see where any advan-
tage can result in any quarter from this
miserable business. Spain will lose CuDa
under circumstances which will dlscredlt,
and perhaps prove fatal TO the Repub-
lie: Cuba will gain her independence by
foreign Intervention, instead of through the
more honorable and wholesome process OF
self-redemption and at last we shall come
into possession of Cuba, earlier than we want
il. and through instrum entalities which VIII De
likely to fasten upon us anew those conDlna-
tons of force and corruption against whlch
the national conscience has been with such
difficulty reused to revolt. II is useless to
nrotest against these events. We have long
foreseen and foretOld the annexation OF
the Antilles, though not sharing IN
the general desire for it. We should
infinitely prefer free confederation OF the
West Indies, under the protectorate OF the
United States il necessary. But 1t Is useless
TO ATTEMPT to ignore the inevitable course OF
things. The insane and bloodthirsty conduct
of the Spaniards of Cuba has forced upon the
limited States an intervention which once be-
gun will never end until Cuba is part of our
Union. The story of its annexation Will be
no idyl. The massacre OF Cubans at santiago
will be followed at no distant day by the
massacre of Spaniards where the Cubans nave
the necessary numbers. Those ardent jour
nails which are crying out SO bGiskly for blood
sbed will have enough of it before the contest
is over. We want as little of it as possible, and
while we insist that our Government shall lose
no time and spare no exertions in exacting a
prompt and full reparation. we hope they will
NOT he driven by senseless clamor into acts OF
Io,vIesa venpeance: and at the risk of wound
ing the tender susceptibilltles OF impatient
patriots who are burning for war, we venture
to say that for the honor and welfare OF the
country q statesman at Washington at this
bour would be vastly preferable to any soldier.