National Republican., 1874-06-01
THE CUBAN VAR ONE OFEXTER-
MNATTON - BARBARITY. OF
THE cpA NTpIT N nnnror1Tc

rents OF the Republics a like determination
to continue the struggle for their independ-
ence has been manifested. Already has the
war lasted for nearly six years, and yet no
progress has been made by the Spaniard 6
in suppressing the revolt, nor is there any
prospect of q termination of the strife.
More than one half the island is in the pos
session of the Government of the Republic,
ald more than two thirds of its inhabitants
adhere from choice to that Government.
These are for the most part natives of the
island. OF their attachment to the Republic
they have given the most conclusive and
incontestable proofs. When they set up
the standard of revolt they were in dead
earnest, and imperiled both their lives and
their property in the effort to achieve their
freedom, and to-day many of the once
wealthy people of Cuba are in condition
of utter impoverishment They have con-
tributed their money, and they have also
freed their slaves. Many thousands of them
have cheerfully sacrificed their lives, not
only on the battlefield, but on Spanish
scatfolds, thus attesting their complete and
unreseryed devotion to the sacred cause of
independence. If these sacrifices do not
establish their right to be free; if their per-
severance and suferings endured through
period extending over the time we have
mentioned, do not prove their ability to
maintain themselyes-do not constitute a
claim to be regarded as an Independent
| manila of - .loA
would constitute such claim. Certainly
Spain admits her inability to reduce
them to subjection. We can easily un-
derstand why the monarcihsts of
Europe should refuse to give any
aid or countenance to the Cuban people.
From monarchists we look for nothing but
opposition to the spread of Republican prin-
ciples or the establishment of Republican
governments. No privileged class in any
age, or in any country, has ever, without
struggle. consented to surrender the mo-
nopolies they enjoyed and the power they
exercised, no matter by what title held; but
it is passing strange that a Republican ma
ton like our own should behold with cold
indifference efforts made to extend its sys-
tenn OF government on its own continent
and almost within sight of its own shores.
How is this to be accounted fort Unques-
tionably it is the interest of the people of
the United States that monarchical rule in
America should cease and especially Span
ish rule. 1t is equally clear that our COM
mercial and political interests would be
largely promoted by the establishment of a
Republican government in the island of
Cuba. Why then our apathy towards this
struggling peoplef Why should we, by
one-sided neutrality in this inhuman, this
barbarous war, give Spain practical assis-
tance in the accomplishment of an object in
the prosecution of which we can have no
sympathy, and which is So injurious to us?
Can any man give good reason for a pol
icy so unnatural? What is the condition of
things-what are the facts-which would
justify us in recognizing the independence
of the Cuban Republic? At what point of
time will international law, liberally inter-
preted, and the broad principles of equity,
permit us to do this act of Justice? Are we
compelled by these rules of public law to
stand by and see devoted people, holding
principles of government identical with our
own, literally exterminated simply because
they are resolved to be free from domino
ton which is hateful to them, and from q
slavery SO ruinous, so oppressive, and so cruel
as that in which Spain has 50 long held
7them2 The American people cannot surely
know the character of these Spanish vice
roys in Cuba, or the barbarous manner in
which they carry on the war against their
revolted subjects, else they would as one
man rise up and demand that the Govern
ment Of the United States should at least
signify in an unmistakable manner its dis
approval of q war carried on almost at our
own doors in manner 50 offensive to our
sentiments and which outrsges the civiliza-
tion not to say the Christianity of the age.
If we cannot without doing violence to ex-
press or implied obligations resting upon us
as one of the family of nations, recognize
the belligerent rights of the Cubans and
also their right to be an independent people,
there can be no good reason why we should
not at least interpose between the two par
ties to this war and demand that it shall be
waged only according to the humane rules
and principles which govern in modern
times the conduct Of wars carried on be-
tween enlightened and civilized nations.
That the war in Cuba is not carried on &C
cording to these humane rules we propose
to show by certain DEGREES and orders made
and promulgated during the present year
by the Captain General and political gov
ernor Of the island. The first of these de-
crees which we shall quote, from correct
translation of the original Spanish, was
issued by Captain General Jovellar, on Feb.
2, 1874. He announced his determination
to adopt certain exceptional measures,
against the 'finsurrectionists, which is
plain admission that unless such measures
are taken there is no hope Of his being able
to suppress the rebellion. These ''excep-
tional measures are not such as are adopted
by civilized nations in the prosecution of
wars either foreign or civil. Modern
warfare is carried on only long enough to
determine which is the stronger of the COM
batants. These measures devised and or
dered by General Joyellar contemplate the
determination of all the people of Cuba
opposed to his Government Here is the
preamble to this blood-thirsty official mani
festo: .-r,- --,.....,
"Whereas, the tim, has arrived when ex-
ceptional measures ought to be adopted, not so
much on account Of increasing danger as for,
notwithstanding the scanty material strength
Of the instruction, the conviction, arrived at
through past experience. is that something
more than the army must be ayailed Of soon
to subdue and eItinguish same, address you
this. Our troops continue overcoming the
natural difBculties of q traitorous war with the
same unremirting courage and untiring patience
of which every day besrs new testimonials:
but all their endeayors and privatious will fall
short of any just expectation and be useless
while the fnsurrectionary bands be able TO OBJ
tain through their abetters and aceomplices,
and with impunity, fresh reinforcements Of men
and their requisites; and here arises the ex-
treme necessity of impressing with awe those
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