National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-10-06
THE FATE OF CUBA.

found some interesting facts in the history
of Spain and Cuba. The characteristics OF
the Spaniards and the Cubsns, together
with graphic pen portraits Of the ancestral
leaders of the reigning family, and of the
Carlist pretenders to the throne, which are
clearly set forth, will prove of greatest inter-
est to the general reader. But the humane
and economical questions which are brought
forcibly to the mind by the relation of facts
prese nted, and Of the results of the present
contest in Cuba, are of abidihg interest to
the phllanthropist and the statesman.
In Cuba we find neighbor with whom
we have one. sided trade of large dimen-
sions, that is, we purchase annually of her
products nearly an hundred million, and
sell to her about one fourth as much,
whereas, under proper and equitable trade
regulations, we should sell to her nearly a
like amount. If she were an independent
Republic we could have those equitable
trade regulations necessary to open TO US,
unrestricted, her markets for our manufac-
lures and provisions. 1t is not extravagant
to assert that our trade with the 'Repub-
lie of Cuba would aggregate over two
hundred millions per annum. If she were
free we should enjoy with her q reciprocal
exchange of products which would tend
vastly to increase the trade which now
exists only in spite Of the most onerous re-
strictions and arbitrary determinations
Her products Of sugar, coffee, dye
woods and fruits are almost articles of
prime necessity with US, and are daily be-
| coming more so. Under treaty of re-
/ ciprocal trade with the Island the fruit
trade would no doubt appreciate at least
ten fold. AS it is, we are obliged to ship
to Europe annually some thirty to forty
millions in coin to pay the balance of trade
against US with that Island. This is not
because she does not want our products in
exchange, but because Of the difficulty in
obtaining them. Spain compels her to re-
ceive certain articles of produce, which we
could easily and [should naturally furnish
her: from Spanish bottoms and Spanish
ports, under penalty of an e1orbitant diff.
ferential duty. For instance, she would
get her -four, butter, beef pork and bacon
from US direct in large quantities to feed
her slave population, if it were not for these
differential duties. But now, she obtains
these articles, even of American production.
more cheaply from the ports Of Spain than
from those of the United States. 1t is
through the medium of these duties that
Spain receives large portion of her i'm
mense revenues from Cuba. It is these
immense revenues which the Crown de-
riYes from the subsection OF the Island
which makes her cling to it with such
death. like pertinacity.
Our Government has heretofore made
effort after effort to negotiate treaty with
Spain, providing for reciprocal commercial
relations between Cuba and the United
States, but always without success. In
deed, such a proposition has never been
met with much more favor than the propo-
sition for purchase of the Island. To be
sure, the latter was deemed almost an in
suit, while the former was held in the light
of an offer to negotiate upon subject which
could not be entertained. 1t Is deemed
derogstory to the honor and dignity of
Spain to surrender her sovereignty over her
territory while it is only impossible for
the Crown to maintain its accustomed ex-
travagance without those Cuban revenues,
derived from restrictions of trade.
The proprietary Cubans having submitted
10 the grinding despotism and tyranny Of
the Crown as eIemplified in these arbitrary
commercial regulations for many years, and
finally, having despaired of ever obtaining
relief from the home Government in Octo-
Der, 1867, openly rebelled against the Gov
eminent of Spain and set up a republican
Government of their own. They abolished
slavery and armed their late slaves to aid
them in the fight They have now sus-
tanned this rebellion and Government Tor q
period OF seven year, with varied success.
The patriots are doubtless stronger to-day
than ever before since the contest began.
Spain is able to do nothing toward the sub
lection of the insurgents in the interior.
She can only keepthe Island hemmed around
by Gordon of guaboats, so that her refrac-
tory subjects may not trade or communicate
with the outside world. Meanwhile, this
intestine war is serious injury to the trade
and commerce of the United States. We
have been obliged to pay from two to three
cents pound more for sugar since the war
began than if peace had been maintained. 1t
is estimated that we suffer from this source
alone o loss of some ten millions per an
mum.
The people Of this country of all parties
and classes are quite naturally growing
tired Of this sort of thing, and they are
beginning to ask the question in all serious
ness how long shall we as a people be
obliged to put up with and countenance
these outrages upon humanity and this
stagnation of commerce, waste of labor
and sacrifice of life upon this continent at
the behest of an svaricious European
dynastyf When may we in the name of
common humanity, Christian charity,
philanthropy, and the commercial and indus
trial interests of two countries interfere to
stop this bloodshed and strip these barbar-
GUS letters from commerce? This question
will soon be answered, and we believe that
the only safe response will be "Now, Cuba
shall be free. " This response will come
from the hearts Of the people and will be
Endorsed by all parties throughout the
country as the true and proper solution of
the Cuban question. 1t will be move
ment in the interest of religion, of morals,
Of commerce, Of freedom, of civilization
and of good government. Do we need
precedents and examples for such course?
Look at England; not only in China, but
everywhere that q nation or country has
attempted to obstruct her commerce or
embargo her trade! Her ultimstum has
ever been, "open to US your markets or we
will make war" That was what cost
Napoleon his Waterloo and his st. Helena
distractions to the free introduction of
the manufactures of England into Con-
tinental States. In our situation England
would have owned Cuba fifty years ago.
EDITORIAL AFTERTHoUGHr.
The Goldsmith Maid is drawing larger