The New York herald., 1875-11-25
cubn, \. II .seu or Fight :"

/ Of our government were ''anxlously awaited.
Later. the correspondent of the London NetoS
telegraphs that there can be little doubt that
the ultimatum of the United States to the
| Spaniards will be sell or fight. Here, mean
time. the air is full Of rumors that the Presi-
dent will, in his Message to Congress, or in
some other way, take some new and strong
ground in regard to Cuba; and, though the
administration organs industriously put
forth quieting words and ASSURANCES that, $50
far as is known, there is no cause for appre-
hension, the somewhat rapid concentration
of our feet abroad the ordering of some
ships to the home station and the prepara-
tion of iron-clads and heavy wooden vessels
in our navy yards do not serve to calm the
general apprehension.
4 Under these circumstances it has occurred
to US to look over the published correspond
ence with Spain and the messages relating
to Cuban affairs for some years back-ln
fact, during the whole of General Grants ad-
ministration-in the hope that we might find
some light, some guide to a guess at the
next step in our relations with Spain. We
are surprised to find how patient our gov
| ernment has been toward Spain how ready
4 the Spaniards have been to promise relief to
1 American citizens wronged in Cuba ; how
often the Spanish performance has fallen
short of the Spanish promise, and how diff
cult it is to deal with government which is
liable to sudden and revolutionary changes,
and where the American Minister may any
day find himself face to face with new
Ministry, and even with new form of gov
ernment, and must begin all his negotiations
de nouo.
But it would be mistake to suppose that
our patience with the Spaniards in Cuba has
been entirely or merely good nature. When
we came to read one of the most remarkable
documents in the whole long list of those
relating to Spain, one of the clearest and
most statesmanlike presentations of all the
questions involved we began to see that if
our government has been long suffering and
gentle in its dealings with Spain in the rela-
ton of Cuba, this was not merely because we
are powerful and she a weak and revolu-
ton ridden nation, nor because we could
not afford to appear to the world to bully
weaker Power but because the President
saw what, perhaps, people not so well in
formed as he did not comprehend,
that decisive and conclusive action toward
Spain must involve us in extremely serious
annoyances and difficulties, which, moreover,
the condition of the insurrection has not
warranted. The document Of which we
speak is the Presidents Message on Cuban
affairs, sent to Congress on the 18th Of June,
1870 In this remarkable State paper the
whole subject Of the relations of the United
States toward Cuba and Spain is presented
in a compact and lucid manner, and we cam
not do better at this moment than to quote
its principal passages, the more as, though
written more than FIVE years ago, its state
ments and arguments appear to apply in
4 quite remarkable manner to the present day.
\ OF the Cuban insurrection President Grant
| at that time said
The condition Of the insurgents has not improved
and the nsurrection itself, though not subdued ex
hbits signs 0 advance but seems 10 be confined to
irregular system Of hostilities carried by small
and lily armed bands OF men, roaming without concen
tration through the woods and sparsely populated re-
gons OF the island attacking from ambush conveys
and small bands Of troops burning plantations and the
estates of those not sympathizng with their cause
But II the nsurrecton has not gained ground y Is
equally that SPAN has not suppressed it Climate,
disease and the occasional bullet have worked destruc-
tion among the soldiers OF SPAIN and although the
Spanish authorities have possession Of every seaport
and every Town the island they have not been able
TO subdue the hostile feeling which has driven con-
siderable number Of the native inhabitants TO armed
resistance against spain
This appears to us to present an accurate
and correct account Of the present state Of
Cuba. The deadlock still continues. Five
years have not apparently changed in the
] ~. 1 !, oF
the President speaks in language Of con-
demnation Of another matter
During the whole contest the remarkable exhibition
has been made Of large numbers Of Cubans escaping
from tho island and, avoiding the risks Of war con-
4 Gregatng in this country endcavoring to make
from own shores 70 people into the fight
which they avoid and to embroil this government in
Y complications and possible hostilties with Spain
II scarcely be doubted that this last result is
the real object Of these parties although carefully
covered under the deceptive and apparently
Of belfgerency. u Is stated on what have reason
70 regard as good authority that Cuban bonds have
u been prepared to . large amount whose payment is
made dependent upon the recognition by the United
states Of either Cuban Deigerency independence.
/ The object OF making their value thus entirely
tingent upon the action OF this government subject
Il tor serious reflection.
4 Speaking further Of the duty Of this gov
ernment toward struggling and new States,
he sums up what he regards as the true
American policy by quoting President Mon
roe's language in regard to the revolts in
4 Spanish America:-"As soon as the move
ment assumed such a steady and consistent
form as to make the success Of the provinces
\ probable the rights to which they were en-
titled by the laws Of nations as equal parties
70 a civil war were extended to them" and
adds
The relations between the parent State and the In
surgens must amount ia fact 70 Fighting, though
fierce ard protracted, does alone constitute war
There must be military forces acting accordance with
the rules and customs Of war flags Of truce cartes
( exchange 81 prisoners, &c And 10 Justify recorni.
ton Of begercncy there must be De fdcto political
organization Of the insurgents sufficient character
and resources TO constitute II left to itself a state
among nations, &c.
An.I,-;rc, chic taet to tba Cuban ;nerrroc