New Orleans Republican., 1875-11-21
spain and Cuba.

The following is the editorial from the
london Times, of November 3, to which
reference ia had elsewhere:
4 war between the United States and
Spain on account of Cuba would be all but
inevitable If American dispatches could be
construed as literally as those of European
countries. No European government would
send such q note as that which President
Grant has caused to be delivered to the
Cabinet of Madrid, unless it were ready to
fight; and any government with sense of
self respect would fight rather than yield to
such dictation. As there is, 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 it, as our American correspondent said
yesterday, have not been made public, but
they may be gathered from the well known
views of the President. 1t SET ms that it
was presented so long ago as September by
MIR. Caleb Cushing, the American minister
in Madrid. 1t stated that the insurrection
IN Cuba was only one degree less important
to the United States than to Spain. While
American interests are injured no redress
can be had, except by cirouitous appeal to
Madrid. The cause of the disturbance, and
consequently of the mischief inflicted on
American citizens, the President thinks, is
the existence of slavery and the dominion
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 per-
nit it to become an independent republic.
1t will become free in spite Of all her efforts
to keep it in subsection. A continuance of
present relations has this danger-that it
may some day force tine United States to
interfere. The President does not positive
~ say that they will interfere, but he plain.
y uIV fn
might at any moment be left no choice, and
that he has made up his mind how to act
when an emergency occurs.
If such was really the language of the
note it is one OF the most peremptory mes-
sages ever sent to State, even OF the sec.
ond or the third rank. IL is none the less
offensive because much of IL Is true. Saw
cry has done indescribsble mischief in Cuba,
as it does everywhere else. 1t has brutal.
lied the slave0wnere almost as much Al thu
bondsmen themselves, and it gives q pecu-
liar savagery to the wasting contest in the
island. Many partisans OF Spain are fight
ing for slavery rather than for the rights of
the crown. The colony also costs Spain far
more than it is worth. But for the drain
Of men and money to put down the rebel
lion Spain would have long since concluded
the Carlist war. Nor has she much chance
OF permanently reducing Cuba to state of
peace. II she could drive Don Carlos
1oEoos bno 1yIoudoo, ana II 6n6 COulQ add
few more millions to her debt, it would be
easy for her, NO doubt, to send such an
army a. would put an end to the revolt for
q time. But the United States are go near.
and dissffection is 30 easily famed BY .
people with genius for filibustering, that
such pacihcati0n would be q mere re-
prieve. The cooler minds in Spain can
scarcely expect that she will long retain
Cuba, and. perhaps, they would gladly
abandon it if the pride of the people would |
permit them.
But, In truth, that pride forbids any
statesmaa or party even to hint at sur
render OF 90 great o remnant of Spain's |
vast colonial empire. The Spaniards Are |
still the same proud race as they were in |
the times Of Philip H., and so long as Cuba |
is still theirs they feel they can put on inn |
perisl airs despite recurring pronnnnis. 1
ment0e, chronic civil war and 4 bankruut |
treasury. Republicans, Alfousists and ca.
lists all compete with each other. therefore. |
in loudly refusing to give up the "Pesrl OF |
the Antilles" But even If thev vere jass |
eager to keep it they would resent the sum-
mons of foreign power TO cot Il free. If |
anything would unite the Carlists and |
thu Alfonists, it would be the necessitv Of |
defending Cuba sgainst aggression from |
Without. King Alionso's ministers could
RG>afEord even to daily with such . threet |
n1ieh is said to have come ffom l
mt. He and they would b. |
~ wore to take 1t even into I
m. The case is ono Of those IN !
lIAge u not virtue, but neces- |
vi - teey would be forced to resist the