National Republican., 1873-01-29
THE RHPUBLIC OF CURA.

The Washington correspondent Of the Boo
ton Globe has rather sensational dispatch In
that paper TO the effect that negotiations are
now going on In London, between Representa-
tiyes Of the Spanish Government and the
agents of the revolutionary party In Cuba,
looking to a recognition of Cuban indopend-
ence. 1t Ia as follows;
"Gentlemen here who are known TO your cor
respondent to he exceedingly well informed In
Cuban Affairs state that they have reasons for
believing that negotiations with the present
Madrid Cabinet are proceeding In an unofficial
manner that are very likely to result In the re-
cognition Of Cuban Independence, under the re-
publican nag. II will be borne In mind that
quite recently the London 1ngLO-.i mericdn Times
published the text Of articles framed In 1870 be-
tween senor TorTo, acting for Marshal Prim, and
Seniors Mestre and Echeyirria, Cuban agents, ny
which, II cOnsummated, treaty Of recognition
and peace would have resulted. OF the authen-
ticity OF said agreement my infOrmants have no
doubt. The fact IL also recalled that when
Amadeus was called TO the Spanish throne an
unof1clal agent was sent by him to this county
TO confer with the Cuban leaders In New York.
This agent was educated In this country, and he
sought the aid Of Senator POmerOy, u former
class-mate at Amherst, who was known as a
friend OF Cuban independence, to assist IN draft
Ing some plan OF agreement. THIS did not In
yOlye a recognition OF Cuba libra, though Il
would have guaranteed colonial autonomy rep
resentatiOn In the COrtes, emancipation and res
toratiOn OF estates cOnnscated.
'Ihe Cubans declined all terms short Of indie
pendence From time TO time there have been
reports OF efforts making In an indirect way for
some solution Of the struggle. There are good
reasons for believing that the negotiations be-
gun under PTlm are being resumed, and that
there are great probabilities OF success. Senior
Mestre has transferred his authorization and
papers to another Cuban envoy, whose name IL
At present kept secret II is understood that
London Is the scene OF negotiations, and there
Is every reason to believe that the English Gov
ernmont Is COgniZant Of and In cordial accord
with them. There L. much more active feeling
In favor Of Cuba In British administration
circles than here, and, In the minds OF those In
formed on Cuban negotiations, there Is every
reason to believe that, II Great Britain can, with
out embrOing her friendly relations with US,
aid the Cuban question to solution by way OF in-
dependence, she will be very glad Of the OppOr-
tunity. They believe she would not hesitate TO
surrender her West Indian colonies TO aid In
forming a new republic, with Cuba as the centre,
II free trade be secured, and she retain the priv
ilcge Of naval stations, etc"
While we should hail with pleasure the sue
cess Of any negotiations that would result
In giving the independence, which they have
so well earned, to the struggling Cubans, and
shall rejoice II Ii should turn out that there Is
a modicum Of truth In the above important
announcement, we could wish that our own
Government might play larger part In the
affair than this dispatch renders probable il
is likely to play. Still the friends OF Cuba
will not care through what agency or lnstru-
independence comes to her pro-
yided 1t only does come.
So far as q West India republic Is con-
cerncd, the idea is u very pretty Que, and the
theory Is captivating to ideahsts; but In our
opinion 1t Is hardly practicable. The posi-
bility of a black West India republic was one
of the reasons why Mr.. sumner opposed the
annexation of San Domingo. He argued for
the "black belt" as he called It, but ex-
perience shows that 1t Is impossible, and
would not be desirable II 1t were possible.
That England Is ready to surrender her own
possessions In that section TO spread republi-
can institutions In consideration of obtaining
free trade Is hardly probable.