New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-20
.JOVELL1R and THE VOLUNTEERS.

JOVELLAR AND THE VOLUNTEERS.
The good results of the VirgiDius affair have
not yet died away in Cuba. The power OF
the Volunteers has never recovered from the
check it received in the arrangement con-
cluded between the Castelar, Government and
that of the United States. No other Cab
met in Madrid had ever before dared to defy
the expressed will of the Peninsular pOpula-
ton in Havana. No Captain-General before
Jovelar had ever chosen to obey orders from
home rather than from the Spanish Casino. 1t
was no light matter to take the step which
CASTELAR, took in Madrid, and which Joyelar
carried into effect in Cuba. 1t seemed, IN TACT,
for while, that the Captain-General had on MS
arrival been so impressed by the force ana
unanimity of the Pennsular opinion as to be
convinced that nothing but submission to that
opinion was practicable. The remarkable
letter of resignation, which passed the Havana
censorship and has never since been explained,
WAS proof Of that momentary weakness.
But this impression passed away. The Cap
tain General resolved to stand 10y his Govern
ment against the unruly colonsts. The Vir-
ginius, which had been Brought into port with
frantic public rejOicings, was quietly taken
out and delivered up to the United States.
In spite of these rcsolute and unpopular pro-
ceedings, perhaps even because of them, the
Captain General gained stronger hold upon
the government of the Island than any of his
predecessors who had cOntented themselves
with registering the DEGREES of the Volunteers.
He has shown the wisdom of the proverb OF
his countrymen which sets forth the folly of
touching a nettle with tenderness.
In his latest official act he seems equally
determined to carry on the government with
out regard to tho prejudices of his critical
felow-ctizens. He has resolved upon what
he calls, in the wel-known official style of
CaptainsGeneral, supreme effort to finish
the instruction, and whatever we may think
of possibility of his success, there is no doubt
about the courage and independence with
which he is going to work. In his decree
establishing the state of siege throughout the
Island, he does something unprecedented in
the history of the struggle. He denOunces with
even handed severity the rebels in arms who are
contesting the national sovereignty, and the
loyal Spaniards who, under the cloak OF
demonstrative patriotism, are disturbing the
peace of the country by crime and violence;
those who fOment disorder under pretense of
opposing the rebellion; those who use their
official positions to prey upon the public
treasury, and who steal themselves rich in the
name of Spain. The state of things existing
among the partisans of Spain, which has been
evident to all for years past, has never been
more clearly set forth than in this
straightforward proclamation OF the
Superior Political Governor. The measures
he has resolved upon to carry his resolutions
into effect have also been taken without refer
ence to the convenience or the caprices of the
Volunteers. He is determined virtually to
force every Spaniard on the Island to serve in
the militia and to hold ten per cent Of those
enrolled as subject to be drafted to any mill
tary duty whatever. This the Volunteers
have always strenuously aud heretofore sue
cessfully opposed. A deputation of Colonies
is said to have visited the Captain General
recently to beg him to call for volunteers for
the war, so that they might go by battalions.
and thus escape the appearance of involuntary
service; but be held stubbornly to his own
plan.
1t would seem that he is to carry his point
The leading men of the Island have made him
formal visit, to approve his plans and to
offer him all the means at their disposition to
carry his measures into effect. But the stu
alton is anything but cheering. The insur-
gents are growing continually stronger and
more enterprising in the Eastern Department
The important post of Puerto Principe is said
to be seriously menaced by them. The West
ern Department is not sure of future immunity
The question of the maintenance of the
"Trocha" between the two divisions of the
Island has become vital one and altogether
the time may be possibly approaching when
the Cuban news will lose its monotony, and
the question of recognition cease to be an alb
surdity.