The New York herald., 1878-03-04
Succinct History Of the Strug.
gle for Freedom.
A NINE YEARS CONTEST.
Heroic Efforts Of the Insurgents
to Win Their Cause.
AN HONORABLE PEACE AT LAST

pendence of Cuba since tho autumn OF 1868 has come
TO an end by surrender of tho insurgent forces
induced by concessions on the part OF the Spanish
government which many are disposed to regard as
worth all the efforts made to win them by the Cubans
However when one reviews the story OF tho nne
years. war; and counts up all the losses sustained by
both sides In men and money, besides the enormous
damage inflicted ON the Island by the destruction OF
property and tho suspension OF production, tho
mind js filled with horror at policy
of selHshness which made such sacrifices necessary
before tho ordinary forms OF popular government
were conceded tho inhabitants OF the devastated
island II Spanish pride is satisfied with the measure
OF success which has crowned the desperate OF
preston waged against the Cubans Spanish vanity
Is responsible for all the horrors OF that war; because
Hit is deemed honorable and just to grant the prv-
leges nov conceded TO Cuba after the struggle
is was equally just that they should have been
granted In 1865 In this Spain has won, per-
haps a slight material advantage, but at the ex-
pense of q moral loss which she can never hope to
recover. Indeed, her hold tho Antilles has been
loosened through her own fault, and the near future
may wrest from her altogether the fair jewels OF her
crown in the West lndies Regarding the condition
OF Cuba after war; 1t must be conceded that II shc
has failed to attain Independence this time she has
demonstrated people capable OF great and
heroic Efforts and the lesson learned In misfortune
may prove of incaculable advantage to her whom lhe
hour Of success arrives leap from slavery to lib
prty must be made through the flames of nrc that
puriaes the victorious nationality. Tho conditions
uuder which the Cubans commenced their efforts
were uniavorable, inasmuch they had to deal with
the question OF slavery as represented Dy pre-
ponderating section OF tho population, by the en-
pircal treatment which applied questionable remedies
only locally but left tho great OF the evil
without being able to control them in state OF
ignorance and freedom, aud when their own num-
bers were reduced in the struggle with the
Spanish army tneir ranks were necessarily
recruited from q source which could not pos
ybly add to the moral strength OF their cause.
Hence even had its dangers tor tho thought
ul section Of the Cuban patriots, because with they
would find themselves face to face with element Of
political force of their own creation. but which they
we're by no certain OF controlling for the good
Of their country. Possibly considerations OF this kind
had weight In the Cuban councils when Spain offered
her terms Of peace. The self-government which has
bcen conceded must be regarded tor the time being
preferable TO tho state of anarchy that would
probably arise when tho patriots found
themselves in minority In presence
Of the emapcipated field hands Of tho sugar p,anta.
lions. The politics OF St. Domingo would be repeated
prey dissonsons disastrous to her interests
than the overriding tyranny OF tho hidalgos. To
maintain a national independence Cuba must win II
sftcr slavery has been abolished soil and polt.
icai sobriety practised ander tho forms Of her
government. When the Cubans frame and respect
good local laws for the protection Of society and tho
encouragement Industry they lay the foundation on
which they easily erect nationality which will
command the consideration OF the world Then in
dependence will become in reality the blessing with
all the sacrifices that may be made TO win It.
THE WAR IN CUBA.
The history Of nearly ten yoars' struggle which
commenced at Yarn on October TO- 1865 is one OF the
deepest interest The events that immed ediately pre-
ccdcd tho outbreak have close connection with tho
condition OF politics In the mothor country as Span.
iards love to call old Spain. The revolution OF 1868
promised groat reforms on tho Peninsula, but
the Cubans possessed dcop ana burning ha.
tired OF Spain, had faith whatever that the bene-
his to be enjoyed by the Spanards would be
extended to thom. Thev, the Cubans, knew from
experience that, matter who ruled IN Spain Cuba
would continue to be regarded as q conquered de-
pendency from which the shows OF or the means
for political intrigue would continue to be drawn
Therefore they looked the disturbance of affairs in
spain the long hoped for opportunity OF putting in
practice the cherished design of revolution and the
spirits in the insurrectionary movement wcro Carlos
Manuel Cespcdes, Francisco Aguilers Manuel Aguera
Belisaro Alvarez, Vicente Garcia, Donate Mnrmol
and Manuel Fernandez each representing local revo.
Iutionary junta in the Eastern Department OF the
Island The information regarding the projected out
break having reached Havana order was sent to
Manzauillo for the arrest Of the conspirators But
friendly governor OF Bayamo gave them timely
notice and they escaped. Early IN October 1t had
been determined to begin tho war of indepcnd nce
the 14tb, but the action OF Spanish government
seems to have iorced the insurgents to commence on
the 10th by the now historic declaration OF principles
and the proclamation OF the Cuban republic mt Yara
With few hundred poorly armed followers tho brave
Cespedes took the field and his FIRST success
in the capture OF the town OF Bayamo on the 18th.
and Of the citadel on tho 22d. A Spanish force
OF 500 infantry with cavalry scut under the
command of Colonel Quiros to relieve Bayumo was
entirely defeated By the Cubans Aitor this success
a republican government was formally organized under
Salvador Csncros Betancouri, Marquis OF Santa Lucia
ana the brothers Agrnmontc.
Meantime Count Valmascda, the ssg.ndo Cabo or
Deputy Captain General at Havana, was ordered to
take The field against tho insurgents. He commenced
operations by making n final tender OF terms to tbc
patriots but failed mako any impression on them NV
fair promises Ho then advanced with forco of about
1900 men, chiefly made up OF volunteers but counting
few regular troops. Hc was attacked between Nue.
villas and Puerto Principe and left his dead on tho
field. He finally reached San Miguel alter harrassine
march OF nve days, during which the patriots hung on
his nanks and rear. cutting OF many of his men. In
creasng his force to 1000 men no reached Bayamo
after series OF bloody checks only to nnd tho place
burned and abandoned by tho Cubans In other parts
the Eastern Department. the progress OF tho Span.
ish troops continually being checked and Colonel
Acosta Alvear was defeated by the patriots at Las
Ysguas with heavy LOSE. On December :6 General
Quesada succeeded in landing cargo OF arms and
TOOK command OF tho insurgcnt army Of Camagucy,
Lcrsubdi, tho Spanish Captain General, made great
Efforts to secure peaceful settlement of tho trouble
but failed and retired 10 SpaiD being succeeded by
Captain General DuIce. Toward the close OF The adj
mipistraton OF Lcrsundi the volunteers In
Havana perpetrntcd wholesale massacre of
innocent persons at the yiIlnnucva Theatre