The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-11-19
SPAIN AND CUBA.

SPlEAtr& EVEeASu NOAACy -
The Times Trusts American
Tended by Spanish Pride.
From tho London Times, November ., ls7s,l
A war between the United States and
Spain on account Of Cuba would be all
but inevitable II American dispatches
could be construed as literally as those Of
European countries. No European gov
ernment would send such note as that
which President Grant has caused to be
delivered to the Cabinet Of Madrid, un-
less II were ready to fight; and any gov
ernment with u sense Of self.respect
would rather fight than yield to such
dictation. As there IL, happily, little
reason to fear that President Grant
means to be taken at his word, We may
look at his demand quite calmly. The
precise terms Of 1t, as our American cor
respondent said yesterday, have not been
made public, but they may be gathered
from the well known views OF the Presi-
dent. 1t seems that it was presented
so long ago as September by Mr.. Caleb
Cushing, the American Minister in
Madrid. II is stated that the iusur-
reclion in Cuba was only one degree less
important to the United States than to
Spain. While American interests are in.
jnred no redress can be obtained, except
by Circuitous appeal 10 Madrid, The
cause OF the disturbance, and Conse-
Quently Of the mischief inflicted on
American citizens, the President thinks,
is the existence OF slavery and the domin-
ion Of Spain. He had hoped that Spain
would have put an end to the quarrel Of
her own accord, but since she has merely
famed the flames, he tells her what she
ought TO do, She ought TO set Cuba free
and permit it to become an independent
republic. II will become free in spite OF
all her etIerts to keep it In nSubjeCtion. A
continuance OF present relations has this
danger-that II may some day force the
United States to interfere. Tho Prcsi.
dent does not positively say that they
will interfere, but he plainly gives Spain
to understand that they might at any mo.
ment be left no choice, and that he has
made up his mind how to act when an
emergency occurs.
ONE OF TIE MOST PEREMProRY MESSAGES,
II such WAS really the language Of the
note il Ia one OF the most peremplory
messages ever sent to State, even Of the
second or third rank. It Is none the
Iess offensive because much Of 1t is true.
Slavery has done indescribablc mischief
in Cuba, Us il does everywhere else. II
has brutalzed the slave owners almost IA
much us the bondsmen themselves, and il
gives n peculiar savagGry TO the wasting
contest IN the island. Many partisans Of
Spain are lighting for slavery rather than
for the rights Of the Crown. The colony
costs Spain lar more than II il worth.
Bnt for the drain Of men and money to
put down the rebellion Spain would hive
long since concluded the Carlist war. Nor
hos she much chance Of permanently re.
tnCing Cuba to state Of peace. II she
could drive Don Carlos across the Py.
renees, and II she could add few more
millions to her debt, 1t would be easy for
her, no doubt, to send such an army a.
would put an end 10 the revolt fora time.
But the United States are 80 near, and dis.
satisfaction Is 40 easily fanned by pco'
pie with a genius for iillibustering, that
such pacilicntiOn would be n mere re.
prieve. The cooler minds In Spain can
scarcely expect that she will long retain
Cuba, and, perhaps, they would gladly
abandon II II the pride Of the people
would permit them.i
PRIDE F0RUIDS SPAIN TO sURRENDER
But, in truth, that pride forbils any
statesman or party even to hint at sur.
render Of 30 great remnant Of SPANS
once yast colonial empire. The Spaniards
are still the same proud race us they were
In the time Of Philip II, and, 80 long as
Cuba Il still theirP, they feel they can put
on imperial airs despite recurring pro.
nunciamentOs, chronic civil war and n
bankrupt treasury. Republicans, Alton.
sists and Carlists all compete with each
other, therefore, in loudly refusing to
rive up the "Pearl Of the Antilles" But
even II they were less eager to keep II,
they would resent the summons OF for.
eign power to act Il free. II anything
would unite the Carlists and the Alton.
Sists, II would be the necessity Of defend.
ing Cuba against aggression from with.
out. King Alfonso's Ministers could not
afford even to daily withsuch threat as
that which Is said 10 have come from
President Grant. lie and they would be
ruined II they were 10 take 1t even into
consideration. The case Is one Of those
In which courage il not II virtue, but n
necessity; and they would be forced to re.
siSt the summons even II II had come
from Prince Bismarck instead OF presi
dent Grant. Asyet they do not seem to
have answered the note; but they can
scarcely fail to make IA naughty re.
sponse as II Spain were still the greatest
Power III the world.
"rnE LoFrIEsr PHRASES"
They will crafty the pride OF the ma.
tiOn by the lOftlest phrases In the vOcab.
ulAry Of CastiliAn pride, and they will
deal them out all the more freel y beCatise
they can scarcely believe that the United
States intends 10 strike. Meanwhile, II
is said, orders were given on the 26th Of
last month to prepare five ir0n.cnds and
ten frigales for the Cuban station. Re.
Inducements arc already arriving nj
Havana. These preparation shave caused
much restlesshess at Washington, and
the Government Is soid to be also pre-.
pairing liz navy for action. Eight sloops.
of.waF are undergoing repairs, ten iron.
Clads are "rendy for outfit" and the Navy
Department hopes that the fleet will be
well strengthened by the end Of the year.
II The United States we're seriouSly de.
termined to set Cuba free, there could be
but one end to contest with Spain.
The richer, more vigorous, more compact
nation would, Of course, ultimately win.
srAiN's FLEET FORMIDABLE.
But il Is almost certain that the Unit.
ed States would not win at first. Weak
and embarrassed MS Spain is, she has
more available fighting power at present,
for her fleet Is ready and II Is really for
midable, while by turning The war
against The CArlists into merely tefen.
sive contest King Alfonso could spare a
large body Of soldiers for service In Cuba
The Uniied States, on the other hand,
would have to eqnip both an army and an
effective fleet, and before that could be
done Spnin might gain some cheap glo.
ties. Nor can King AliOnso's ministers
Lisuisa The FeHcrtion that n Hnain tnust