, 1875-11-03

integrity.
THE CUBAN QUESTION.
The semi-of1lcial expression Of opinion from
TRIBUNE, relative to tho Cuban insurrection,
mny be looked upon rather rs ono of Secretary
F1su's glittering gencralities than rs indicAt-
ing any serious Intention OF interfering in the
relations between Cuba and Spain, aggrnvat-
ing as those relations are, and especially ag-
gravating from the fact that the war mato1i-
ally affects tho agricultural resources of the
island, for the products Of which tho United
States is the chief customer. There has Ill.,
doubtedly been II hope on tile part OF onr
Government for along time TINT tho war would
some 'imo to MI end, aud that slavery on tho
island would be abolished. But of tho
hitter thcro is little prospect. Cuban
slavery Inns paid not only all the ex-
penses of tho Cnbnn war,-the slave
holders unloosing their purses liberally and
willingly to preserve slavery, but it las nlso
the war which ths Madrid Government Inns
60 long wngcd against DON CAr1os, tho
money being collected by forced loans.
What amount Of taxes has been collected in
Cubn since tho war began cnnnot DO
estimated, but tho figures from the budget Of
1sGG-'G7 will give an approximate idea, The
estimated production Of Cuba iu 1867 WIS
S13e, ,5D, 900, md npon this amount Cuba
WIS taxed in time Of peace a44 par cent.
The population ut TINT time was ,353, ,.as,
60 TINT the taxes collected by Spain III time Of
peace amounted to tho su,n Of $313.50 upon
each man, woman, and child. At that date,
however, there were :'C8,350 slaves who paid
no taxes, and 2225, 900 freedmen who wero ex-
cmpt, because they owned no taxablo prop
crty, so that tho taxes were, In reality. paid
by 7G0, 600 Of the white population, at tho
rate of $44.25 each. The Homo Government
Aas Officially announced that tile war in tho
island Inns cost $16o0oo, ,ooo, and all this hns
boon paid by Cuba in addition to whnt she
has paid for the expenses Of tho war in Spnin
with DON Carlos. All this shows the hope
lessness Of any belief that Spain will yield
her hold upon Cuba at present. Sho will
squeeze the orange until it Is dry. As long
III she can drain revenue from tho
island, she will maintain hor grasp
ul~u ~ ALA HACA& AGFCAAo tGhoGo ~ ~" AAOalA
it she will let 60, M she has no other interest
in Cuba than Il financial ono. How long tlis
condition of things will last 1t is difficult to
say, but every year Of tllts war il r1,inons.
The RESOURCES nro growing smaller and
snallor by the natural drainage Of two e1-
hausting wars which give little sign OF
cessation, and by tic torch OF the patriots
which is constantly making havoc among tho
plantations, and destroying tho agricultural
resources Of tho island. As soon as Cuba
ceases to furnish revenue tho war will cease,
,tlld there cnn be but little doubt of hor
ultimHte destiny. It is evidently In Wow
nf this tendency OF tho relations
between Cuba aud Spain That the
Government at Washington has expressed
itsclf in tho manner Indicated in our Inst
iKaue. It IL premature to talk Of annexation
or Of armed interference, hut It Is not pro-
mature to talk Of granting belligercnt rights
to the patriots who have so gallantly main.
| tanned themselves for 20 1nnny yrara, and
whose conquest In as far off now as 1t was
whom they arose against Spanish blood.
thirstiness and cruelty.
The London Tina takes very intelligent
view Of tho relations between Spain end the
| United btatea It scouts the ideR that the
American Government has any intention Of
unconditional interference, first, because
there never was ti,no whom tho United
statea were no little disposed to mcdlle witt
their neighbors' affairs as now and SECOND
because political complications will not allow
OF It at present. In nearly I'LL respects, Mt