National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-08-26
THE CUBAN IMBRoeLIo.
rFrom the Sc. Louis Glsbe-Democrat.

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Until the last few days, the prospect of az
fairs for the Cubans was brighter than at any
time since the rebellion began. A number Of
engagements have taken place since July 30,
but with very indecisive results. On several
occasions the Spaniards succeeded In driving
back the Cubans and defeating them, but once
or twice the reverse was true and the Spaniards
Jared hardly In the hands of their enemies. A
recent attack on Cuban camp by q detach-
ment Of Spanish calvary, resulted IN q bad de-
feat Of the natives, and, had the assailsnts fol-
lowed up the attack 90 brayely begun, they
would have captured the Cuban President and
q number of his most prominent officers, who
were in the camp at first, but escaped. Even
if the President had been captured, 1t does not
however, appear that any serious difference
would have been made, since the Cubans blame
him as the cause of all their disasters, and
assert that If they had another Governor the
war would soon be ended In their favor. They
have, however, met with one or two misfor-
tunes lately that will do them serious hurt.
A vessel which was bringing them consid-
cradle amount Of arms and ammunition was
stopped by the Spaniards, and the contraband
article eonhscAted. This WAS Q loss they
could very III sffsrd to bear, and which they
attribute TO the mismanagement of the Cuban
Government, though how far the Government
officers were responsible does not appear.
Then again, during the latter part OF last
month band of insurgents, numbering from
three to four hundred, attacked Spanish in
terror garrison, and, after several hours hard
lighting, was repulsed with heayy'loss. Near
the same time a Cuban mail-carrier was
killed, and his mail captured. Among the
letters were found some Of political and mill
tary Importance, which have since proved Of
value TO the Spaniards. All these things, and
especially the loss Of the arms and letters,
have weighed heavily on the minds of the
islanders, and have caused them almost to
despair. {
While the Cubans have been almost ready
TO yield the contest, the Spsnisrds, for their
part, have been almost as much discouraged
as their opponents. The Captain General,
Valmaseda, Is anxious TO resign. The Gov
eminent has sent him no troops, and although
levy Of ten thousand men for the island has
been ordered IN Spain,it Is not certain whether
they will come in time to do any good. His
men are exhausted, completely worn out with
the ceaseless necessary watching for rebsls.
His exchequer Is 90 far depleted that the troops
have not been paid for months, and are ready
TO mutiny for the lack Of money. he can do
nothing more without q large reinforcement
of men and plentiful financial supplies, neither
of which he seems likely soon 10 obtain. 1t Is
rumored that his successor has already been
appointed, and is now on the way to relieve
him, which will, doubtless, to him be joyful
news. The feeling among the better class OF
Standards on the island Is one of dependency.
They begin to see the hopelessness of the
struggle, and to predict that 1t cannot longer
be continued. A general fear that the prov
ipce is lost to Spain peryades them, and they
no longer hesitate to express their opinions
on the subject. These things are more than
straws to indicate the direction of the breeze;
they are signbosrds pointing to Cuban indie
pendence. r-sr -t