The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-11-15

Message is to get an expression OF public
opinion in advance as means Of judging
how far it is safe for him to 60. We com
mend the prudence Of such course, and
we hope that all the organs Of public opin,
ion will respond to his implied request with
frankness and candor. 1t would be per.
sonal misfortune to the President and grave
calamity to the country if he should act with
precipitancy or fall into error on a subject
which 50 nearly touches the peace of the
country. The Presidents sympathy with
the struggling Cubans does credit to his gen
erous impulses, but he ought not to take any
decisive official step without full survey OF
the situation.
The country feels that the Centennial year
should be year of peace with all nations,
and, above all, a year of peace with It's old
allies in the War of Independence. One OF
those allies was Spain, who declared war
against England in 1870, and did not make
peace until our independence was recog-
nized Our ambassadors, with DR.. Franklin
at their head, refused to consent to peace
which did not include all our allies, and
accordingly, in 17S3 treaties of peace were
concluded, not only with the United States,
but with France, Holland and Spain. 1t
would be out of keeping with the occasion
for our country to be at war with any of its
allies in the Revolution while we celebrate,
with many nations as our invited guests,
the hundredth anniversary of the indepen-
dence which those allies assisted us to achieve.
If it be said that this is merely sentimental
consideration it might suffice to reply that
the Centennial is to be sentimental occa-
sion; but this is not the only nor the most
solid answer. Nobody can doubt that the
great Exposition at Philadelphia will be of
immense advantage to arts, industry and
commerce if it should be successful; but a
foreign war would put its success in peril
and very likely prove fatal to the Exposition.
We are aware of the general impression
that war with Spain would be brief; that
we should probably seize Cuba and end the
contest within sixty or ninety days, thus re-
establishing peace before the date assigned
for the opening of the Exposition. Even if
we should make so speedy conquest of the
island (Which is quite uncertain) it does not
follow that peace would be the immediate
consequence. Spain is the most obstinate of
nations. She did not relinquish her claim
to her revolted colonies in South America
for score of years after they had
established their independence. 1t is
contrary to all we know of her national char
acter to suppose that she would give up
the contest as soon as Cuba had been wrested
from her. It's loss would release her navy
for other employment, and being no longer
needed for guarding and defending Cuba it
would be at liberty to cruise in all seas for
| the destruction of our commerce. The tena-
cious Castilian blood would not permit Spain
to make peace until she had inflicted on our
commerce all the injury in her power. Even
if Cuba should prove easy conquest there
is no likelihood that the war would be short.
There is a still weightier consideration
which seems to have escaped the attention
both of our government and people. What
if Spain should have allies ? Cuba is con-
stantly discussed as if itwere a mere question
between the United States and Spain in
which no other nation would interfere. Can
we be so sure of that? This is nota question
asked at random, not the suggestion of vague
and remote possibilities; it has strong
basis in fact and history that it cannot be
ignored by any person wishing to
examine every part Of the subject and to see
the whole ground. 1t must not be forgotten
that so recently as in 1852 England and
France attempted to bind the United States
by perpetual treaty never to acquire Cuba.
We had many times given notice that we
would never permit Cuba to pass from Spain
to any other European Power England and
France gave us q counter notice in 1852 that
the island must not pass from Spain to us.
! In despatch from Lord Nalmesbury to Mr.
Champion, then English Minister at Washing
ton april s, 1852, His Lordship said: THE
! government of the United States has repeat
eddy declared that it would not see with in
difference the island of Cuba fall into the
possession Of any other European Power
than Spain. Her AIajesty's government
shares in the most unqualified manner in
the views thus put forth by the government
| Of the United States, and would never see
with Indifference the island Of Cuba in
possession Of any Power whatever
but Spain. The government of France,
with which Her Majesty's government
have been in communication on this
important matter, cordially adopt the same
view" When England and France thus
declared their opposition to see Cuba pass
from Spain into the possession of ''any
Power whatever" they pointed this declar-
alton at the United States. Unless there is
some reason for supposing that the govern
ment Of England has changed its views on
this subject, it will not do to lay out Of view
the chance Of Spain having allies in war with
us. If it should be said that the object of
President Grant is not to acquire Cuba
for the United States but TO make