The New York herald., 1873-12-12
Our Citizens i'm Fear for
Their Lives.
The Stars and Stripes
Vainly Looked For.
SPANISH EDITORS ON THE SITUATION.

1t got into the heads OF some OF the foreign resi-
dents that the instant President Grants Message
became known here all the turbulent elements
would be let loose and assassination OF foreigners,
especially Americans-in fact all who speak Englsh
are called Americans became the order OF the day
and night Up TO this writing tue Presi-
dents reference to Cuba in his Message is
not known except to the authorities. 1t has
vet to come, but contrary to the gloomy
prophecies OF some, don't believe we
shall haze any such disturbance is anticipated.
The yirginius is to be delivered up in some way,
either by sending her quietly over to Key West or
handing her into the keeping OF an American war
vessel outside the harbor. Her delivery up may
be attended by some little excitement, some dem-
onstraton against Americans; but even that
don't believe will happen. am aware OF one
painful fact, that there is no authority at this
moment in Cuba. The Captain General is perfectly
powerless, and there is nothing TO prevent mob
from numbering every American on the island
1t is melancholy to the behavior OF the citizens
OF the greatest country top OF the earth-to see
them
AFRAID OF THEIR SHADOWS
on the street, and before the danger has made its
appearance, rushing of by every miserable convey
ance to Florida and New Orleans. What wonder
and what a reflection it is upon the government OF
President Grant that Americans away from their
country should feel as If they were parahs on the
face OF the earth. with no nag to look to Tor pro-
lection Is there anything to prevent the mob
the DlOOdthirsty, unreasoning mob-from murder
ing every American in Havana Nothing what
ever. Is there anything to prevent the same mob
from numbering every Engshman in the city
There is An English gunboat came promptly
into Havana on the appearance OF danger,
and she lies out there in the harbor
body else to respect the subjects OF queen Victoria
Why has no American vessel-of-war been sent
here That is the question every American citizen
passionately asks at this moment. Precious gov
ernment it is at Washington that, knowing full
well the temper Of the people here; knowing full
well that over 500 American citizens are here in
business, should overlook the vital necessity OF
having war vessel lying in this harbor merely as
refuge for Americans who might be driven from
their hotels or their homes by mob of Spaniards.
| should like the HERALD TO put this question
through its editorial columns to the government
at Washington, Why has there been no ship of war
sent to the harbor OF Havana to protect American
interests Should IL be any cause OF surprise that
America is thought or so meanly? She inspires no
such conception OF her power and greatness as
England does. Even the Havana volunteers all
unaided by Spain, think they are match for her !
tie respect that is paid the American flag these
waters The facilities OF citizenship so easy in
the United states that great many dsreputable
people take advantage OF that fact to enroll
themselves under the protection OF the Amer
ican rag Tor their own private ends
1t would be just cause for complaint
on the part OF the government at Washington II it
should be compelled every now and then to go to
the expense and trouble OF interfering behalf OF
some miserable Cuban who goes of TO America
and declares his intentions, and seeks, on the
strength OF that act, the protection OF the nag.
This has been common trick, and perhaps the
government at Washington got weary OF inter-
posing in behalf OF men who abused the protection
TO which even as declaratory citizens they were
entitled but for bona tide citizens OF America, of
whom the government must be aware there are
many doing extensive business on the island OF
Cuba, the protection OF man-of-war IN the harbor
OF Havana is demanded by considerations as well
Of policy as Of obligation.
The tone OF the translations you will find else-
where indicates that ! am not exaggeratng the
danger to which Americans are exposed. The
V0z de Cu0d thinks 1t necessary to come out in an
editorial and caution Spaniards against making
any demonstration against citizens OF the United
States. That is the meaning OF its references ad.
vislng the people OF Havana to abstain from doing
luegdi acb WHICH WOulQ compromise "tne
honor OF SPAIN" II ever there was an expression
hackneyed beyond endurance 1t is this .honor OF
Spain." These gallant but intensely obtuse editors
favor US daily with addresses concerning 'the honor
OF Spain" The Vos de cuba comes out with spas
modic splutter this morning, calling on all '.good
Spaniards" to take up arms for "tne honor OF
Spain," agd the Constancia, as you VIII observe,
advises, without exactly mentioning the national.
ity, that all Americans be
DRIVEN OUT OF THE ISLAND.
We know what that driving out means. But the
class OF all others that troubles the thought OF the
Spanish colony at this moment is the cuban labo-
rantes to whom referred in former letter. The
English never had any greater apprehension
OF your Fenians than the spaniards have
OF the laborantes. 1t would, no doubt, be
great Joy to the Fenan heart II England
were embroiled in war with Germany or Russia,
and to the souls OF the laborantes nothing under
heaven would bring more ecstatic feeling than
quarrel with America on the part OF the Spaniards.
They know 1t would be ruin and death to the
colony but that what would pe the staple OF their
rejoicing. Ruin and death to the Spaniards, any
how, is their motto. The spaniards are duly and
fully impressed with the conviction that the labo-
rantes seek this end and no other and they
have grown fearfully suspicious OF the fresh.
born loyalty OF the laborantes Now they
have resolved on bringing it to test,
and the order has gone forth from the only au.
thority on the island-the Casino-that all the
male population are invited to enroll their names
in the ranks OF the volunteers. Thus 1t will soon
be discovered who are lukewarm and who are not
Heretofore the laborantes were excluded from the
volunteer enrolment, but now they win be ac.
cepted and put in the front rank OF battle, with
fire behind and before. met one OF the class
lately, and his face fell and his heart went down
when told him there was no likelihood OF war.
might as well have told man who had been wait
ing 20 years for rich legacy from sick uncle that
the ayuncuar relative had grown well
and hearty and intended to live forever.
When you consider that the Spaniards OF this
island, should they nght-which / doubt very
much-woud have to contend, first, with the well
equipped army and navy OF America; next, with
tue laborantes, who permeate the island, and, af-
lFdu trth fhntr .nf&.