The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-07-22
spain and Cuba


ernment Of the United States has (,
made 4 formal and perempt0ry de- /;
mand upon the Spanish Government ,
for indemnity for the lives of Ameri-
can citizens sacrificed at the instance
of the Governor Of Santiago de Cub
is IN accordance with the protocol
subscribed at the time by the Secre-
tary Of State and the Spanish Minis
ter at Washington. The indemnity
demand has been leniently delayed
in consequence Of the political diff
culties in which the Spanish Govern
ment IS involved az home These
seem, however, TO be without termin-
alton, and any further delay in a set
tlement according to the terms Of the
protocol viii not mend matters in
Spain or Cuba.
1t nav be stated in this connection
however, that the eOntemPoraneOus
departure Of the Spanish Minister
from Washington for Madrid has no
connection whatever with the action
of Secretary Fish in reference to the
indemnity question. Admiral Polo
is assigned by his Government to
other duty, under an arrangement
previously made. His successor has
not vet been named
The success Of the cause Of repub-
Hcanism in Spain is exceedingly
doubtful It's most intelligent and
earnest supporter, Mr.. CASTELAR,, has
been hustled off the stage, and what
ever their professions may be, those
who now hold the reins, and are la
/ boring TO direct the Government, are,
with rare exceptions, monarchists at
heart. The same spirit pervades the
army aud they are without enthusiasm
and viii not DO battle for the
republican cause. The enemy is
daily gaining ground, and every new
victory for them only tends to de-
moralize and render the national
troops less effective An early crisis
is inevitable, and there are strong
grounds for apprehension that the
days Of the republic are numbered
Even now i has an existence only in
name
Turning ~ the Cuban dependency
of the Spanish Government, the spec
tacle presented is even worse than
that Of Spain itself 4 successful re-
bellion has been sustained during the
I last FIVE years against a tyrannieal
and relentless Government, which is
now appealingin vain to the authorities
at Madrid Cor men and means to sus-
tain and prolOng the bloody strife
Spain is powerless to afford aid, while
the Cuban natives are weekly increas-
ing their power Of resistance by the
Importation of war material and by
voluntary home additions Of men to
their fighting forces. They are in
possession Of more than half the ter
ritory of the island, and sustain an
organized government working in
harmony with the army in the field
But the yearly destruction Of life and
property is going on at q fearful rate,
without the remotest prospect Of
abatement Business Of all kinds is
paralyzed and the products Of sthe
plantations are yearly decreasing IN
quantity from neglect and the absence
or decentralization Of the planters
Taxes have been advanced to the Ut
most extent and export duties are
cTippling all foreign commerce with
the island
This state Of affairs cannot possibly
be prolonged many months, except
ing at an unwarrantable loss of life
and almost total destruction Of home
and foreign commerce. The natives,
who have so long and patriotieally
sustained themselves in a struggle for
their rigtts have shown to the world
that they cannot be put down, and
! the sooner their independence is rec
ognized and acknowledged BY civil
lied Powers the better it viii be for
all parties concerned, and especially
for the cause Of humanity and eiyili-
zaIion
With peace restored, and CASTELAR,
OF another equally effective admins
f traitor at the head Of the Government.
. disaster and the chaotic condition Of
/ the country would soon be made to
T give place to order and good govern
ment, to be followed by a revival Of
the agricultural industries, home and
foreign commerce, and the general
/ prosperity Of the islaDd-a condition
TO which il can never again aspire
under its present government and
management The republic.