The New York herald., 1874-07-26
SENIOR ALBANIA ON THE CUBAN SITUATION
An Appeal for tho Recognition OF Bel
EScrent Rights.


HSerent Rights.
NEW YORK, July %, 1874
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
Late news from Cuba confirms the reports
previously received OF new and signal successes by
the patriot troops over their spanish oppressorA
In view OF this information / feel constrained to
make personal appeal to You in behalf Of the
long suffering friends OF freedom on that island.
For now nearly six years my countrymen OF Cuba
have conducted this fearful struggle with Spain
alone and unfriended from without. Their natural
ally in their contest was the United States. They
expected from 1t succor and sympathy, and with
anxious hearts have pleaded for equal rights with
Spain. How these appeals have been answered Is
gloomy history.
The administration mas not up to this time, been
able to see its way clear to accord belligerent
rights to our revolutionsts. or course 1t has put
no limit on the privileges OF Spain. The effect OF
this discrimination has been at times well nigh
disastrous to our cause. 1t has put the United
States IN the attitude OF playing policeman and de-
tective for spain. 1t mas enabled her TO draw all
her supplies Tor CUBAN subjugatIOn IRON Tree
America, which has served her as her quartermas-
ter, cOmmlssary and ordnance departments. Alb
solutey large portion of the navy with whicn
our coast Is blockaded was furnished from Ameri-
can shlpyards Iadvert to these hardsEips and
sunerlngs OF my countrymen merely to remark
that in spite OF them Cuba LiDre lives yet and is
to-day stronger than al any previous perioo since
For neary as long time already as your own
revolutionary patriots struggled against the
pretensiOns Of George the Third and Lord North
have our cuban brothers fought against the gall
ing yoke and hideous despotism OF Old Spain. All
the questions at issue in your own war with Great
Britain are involved IN the Struggle with Cuba to-
day. coupled with the prospect or escape from the
most terrible tyrannles that ever oppressed any
people.
The late successes OF the patriots having
struck terror to their hearts, the Span
lards are now making supreme EFFORT
to crush the revolution. From this time
forward we shall expect to receive reports OF
powerful pen in aid OF our sacred cause After
all, your government is one in which public
opinion strongly asserted, husband will prevail.
IL Is the great merit OF your beautiful system that
no admiuiStt alton can Withstand an overwhelming
expression OF popular desire. Public opinion finds
its voice outward in a bold, able and Independent
press such as yours
The present occasion is propitious. The various
conventions that meet to nominate candidates
this summer could give utlerance 10 the
popular sympathy for Cuba, and In this way the
press and the people could act and react on each
other, forming after a while steady current OF
opinion to which the administration will consider
Itself compelled to yield.
We ask equal rights with Spain IN free America.
Surely revolution that has been SIX years
existence, that has cost Spain 100000 lives
and $l4O 100000 In the attempt 10 suppress It, ana
which Is now stronger than at any moment since
1t began has earned title to belligerency least.
And has not such struggle against such despo-
tsm established a claim on the friends OF liberty
your pleasure TO sustain the patriots Of Cuba IN
their great contest Tor independence have the
honor to be, yours respectfully, your obedIent SER
want, MIGUEL DE ALBANIA.