The New York herald., 1878-03-04
Peace I'm Cuba.

Cuban rebellion by methods OF conclllatioh
and the voluntary surrender Of the insur-
gent forces which Spain has been vainly
attempting for nearly ten years to subdue
by arms is an event Of great interest to
Cuba, to Spain and to the United States,
and an event which will attract more or
less attention throughout the civilized
world. The long period through which
this stubborn insurrection has extended
has been one of the most remarkable and
changeful eras in the history OF Spain.
the fight of Queen Isabella. in 1868,
the insurgents having hoped to profit by the
crippling disturbances in Spain. If ever
colonial revolt was favored by the troubled
and distracted condition of the mother coun-
try the Cuban revolt was so favored beyond
all former examples. Within it's first seven
years Spain passed in rapid and almost be-
wildering succession from provincial gov
ernment under Serrano and Prim to new
monarchy under Amadeus from the stormy
reign and early abdication Of Amadeus to
the Republic, first under Margall, then un-
three unsuccessful Presidents following
one another within a period OF three
months, and CASTELAR, himself remaining
in Office only four months, when q
new Ministry was formed under the
Presidency of Serrano; from that titful
Republic back again to monarchy under the
present king, Alfonso. Besides these
swift changes Of government there occurred
in Spain the great and formidable Carlist
insurrection, which it required the best part
Of the national forces to subdue; so that no
insurrection in distant colony was ever so
favored by events in the country which
claimed its allegiance. AS it did not succeed
during those convulsive and enfeebling
changes in Spain there was apparently left
Tor it no ground Of hope after the domestic
troubles OF Spain were settled by the ex-
tinction of the Carlist rebellion and the
firm establishment of Alfonso on the throne.
The voluntary surrender of the Cubans
has been made on conditions which are not
only favorable to the insurgents but are adj
vantageous to every part Of the population
of Cuba. So far as regards the insurgents
there is complete amnesty for them and for
all who have in any way abetted them.
Fugitive slaves who have fed to their camp
are assured of freedom. Deserters from
the Spanish army to the insurgents are not
to be punished. In addition to this there
is to be large extension of the privi-
leges of the people of the island. All slaves
are to be emancipated within five years.
The local government is to be improved in
the interest of the inhabitants. Cuba is to
have representatives in the Spanish Cortes,
freely elected by itself, and is to be put on
terms of equality with the home provinces
of Spain. The transatlantic island is to
stand on the same footing as the separate
parts of the peninsula. If the Spanish
government keeps faith and the people Of
Cuba are wise these changes will be worth
the terrible cost Of the insurrection and be a
compensation for the vast destruction of life,
property and crops which have attended it.
The destruction of life, however, has not
been vast, except in the Spanish armies,
which have fallen victims to the climate.
At least one hundred thousand of the best
troops of Spain have been thus sacrificed
since the outbreak of the insurrection in
1868.
1t is of less importance to Cuba to be in
dependent than to be well governed.
Neither her territory nor her population is
sufficient to make her really independent.
The expenses of a navy to protect her shores
and her commerce and the expenses Of
diplomatic intercourse would be heavy
burden upon SO small State. Her first
war with strong Power would end in COM
plete subjugation and probable annexation
by the right of conquest. Canada, which is
every way stronger than Cuba, does not de-
sire independence, because she shrinks
from the heavy expense of maintaining
defensive establishments against foreign
aggression. Canadian independence. and
much more, Cuban independence, would be
but the first step toward ultimate annexa-
ton to the United States, and events are
not yet ripe either in the interest of the
United States or in the interest of Canada
or Cuba Tor this great consummation of
"manifest destiny"
1t is said by some Of the Cubans in this
city that the terms of surrender are delu-
sive, and that when Spain has no longer
any resistance to encounter she will forget
her promises and return to her old methods.
But it will not do to assume that
Spain has learned nothing during this
long insurrection. 1t has been altogether
too costly to bear repetition. Not doubt
ing her sincerity, We congratulate her and
congratulate the Cubans on the near pros
pect of freedom, content and prosperity in
that distracted island.
The Liberty OF tho Theatre.
Tf the conc I'm sions IF M De1Dit's arfic1e