The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-10-10
Cuba's Independence Day.

The republic Of Cuba enters to-day the
tenth year of her independence and prob
ably upon the first OF its general recogni-
ton by European powers.
The majority Of American Governments
have long since recognized free Cuba. This
country, which should have been the first
to give helping hand to people initiating
our example, and on whose welfare so many
Of our industries DEPEND. has been. unfor-
tunately, and for disgraccful reasons that
are universally understood. the only impor-
tant American nation which has obstinately
refused to extend IT,
u 1t IL nrc,,,,.....e We say. that before another
year has passed the independence of Cuba
will be fact recognized even by Spain
The mother country has made within the
last nine years fruitlcss sacrifices which
would have crippled a far more virilc ma
tion. She has lost in this inglorious contest
not only her prestige. but also over one
hundred and fifty thousand men, and has
piled up in round numbers a debt OF more
than s20O,oo0,0Oo. She has strained every
nerve in furnishing men and in raising
money. There i an end to all human
efforts.
The last recruits -somc twelve thousand
In all-whlch she has sent to cuba are strip
lings, most Of them under twenty years Of
nge, kidnapped in the agricultural districts.
and marched aboard ship between rows Of
fixed bayoncts. Agriculture in Spain Is SUI
lering by the enormous drafts made upon
field laborcrs, and the possible supply IS all
but exhausted.
In financial matters Spain Is in a condi-
ton if possible still more disastrous The
annual expenses of her army in Cuba-we
take the figures Of the Intendente lChancel-
lor Of the Exchequer in Havana exceed
sG1,OOO,OOO. To meet this requirement, exor-
bitant taxes, amounting to Gj or 20 per cent.
of the net proceeds Of rural industry, have
been imposed; and yet, with all these oner-
Gus taxes, which have paralyzed produc-
ton and bred universal discomfort among
the loyal Spaniards. there results an annual
uouclt OF over s2i,0oo,0Oo, which can be met
only by general seqncstratIon,
Tie Cuban cause, undcrte..:;cn nine years
ago by few unarmed men at Yara, is
stronger to-day than ever before. The rev.
olution holds the Spanards in check in
every interior town, decimatcs the Spanish
armies. and entails expenses that must be
suicidal The republic of Cuba has few or no
expenses. Her soldiers fight without pay,
live upon the country, and capture their
arms and ammunition almost entirely from
the enemy
The Spanlards are fully aware that their
term OF occupation is rapidly nearing its
end. BY intrigues both on the island and
abroad, by prcpostcrous official accounts OF
victories in the field, by offers and prom
lses OF brides for treason, by teTorizina
women and children, and by atrocitic'
before which the barbaritles Of Cussack'
and Bashi-Bazouks pale, the Spanish com
mandcrs in Cuba have left no means untrieC
which offered them hope of suppressinl
the Cuban revolution, even by the exterIni
nation Of the Cuban race.
With an army decimated by tropical dis
eases, worn out by unproductye operations
during the sickly season, Discontinued ant
almost mutinous by force Of brutal treat
ment and want Of pay, MARrINEz CAMPo'
to-day enters upon the teath campaign Of I
hopeless war.