The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-04
HOPE FOR CUBA LIBRE.
a Frank Review Of the Reasons for the RE-
cent Spanish Tri.mph.


Tho Cuban revolution has ended its bloody
history. Tho defenders OF the cause Of iudo-
pcndence have succumbed before the hopclcss-
ness ~ their Isolated position. after having Tor
nine and half years fought lno'ssnnily IN IN
equal hight OF one against hundred. OF the
gigantic strife IN which the grand Antlln aston
ishcd the word with tho prOdgics OF her valOr.
with the uuhcard OF Efforts of her perseverance,
and with the majesty Of her hcroism. there re-
main solely the glory of her martyrs. the
MORNINGS of the survivors the ruin OF war.
the dcsOlation " tho conquered. and the infer
nal 10Y of the conquerOrs.
Cuba is at peacc; the shock 81 battles is sue
cccdcd by the silence Of death the crics Of lib
crty aud independence are hushcd in the plain
i've signs ui mothers Tor thcir sons. Of SONS for
their fathers.
Cuba has been subiuca,cd hut in MI tho
enQrmity Of her misfortune. there is no Disgrace
in her dcfoat. Spain has been obliged to send
two hundred aud twenty thousand OF her best
soldiers t. do battle against % handful Of moi
entirely destitute Of arms and the prolongution
for So long timc Of SO unequal a atrifr may
Justly bc regarded ~ one Of those great miracles
o'rhs ionnlly realized 10y oppressed nations at
war for their redemption.
Spain has won her first triumph in America.
and, strangely enough. az the very time when
Ah'It1d Wnt slruhE,sti iNlusc " rs IN un-
deniab" TACT that. although the mother country
hus employed fortlr suppression OF the tuhnus
forces ana resources vastly superior 70 thpsr
which il could mass on tn whole OF this couti-
nent nj the BEGINNING Of the present century.
tho inct II patent that Cuba would have been in
ynrhc had she received the help to which she
was justly entitled from tho sister Republics
which should have boon her natural allies.
But America WIS a more spectator of the cruel
tormcnts oi the poor victim. and even In her
manifestations Of warm svmpathy for cause
which WIS her own. she timidly consulted in
tcrnatiOnal convenience. Interpreted by the
judgment Of her own personal int, rests In
tho hemisphere which owes It's freedom To
Washington. Bolivar, and their immortal COM
panions there has been found one powerful
Government which. from the conservation Of its
commercial advantages, has not only been in
different to the Independence Of Cuba. hut has
denied to the patriots tina, right of belligercncy
which the Spaniards themselves recognized
when they arranged with tn" Government and
Congress OF Cuba the basis Of pence.
There IL. in the victory which the Spaninrds
| have now achieved, a feeling Of humiliation for
! free and independent America. the bitterness
| OF which We deeply lament The slight conso-
lation however is left US hat Peru il the only ma
| ton which has practically assisted the patriots
in however small way. bv reason Of our nnan-
| energctically. extending the protection OF our
| flag over her citizens in foreign countries and
| prOclaiming molly and loyally, 10 the world
ment but that of Cuba's sons.
Perhaps II IL not yet too late. Diplomacy may
sun today nave vast Held OF action ior lnhHi
| press. tho Government Of Don Alfonso Is en-
! doavoring to renew diplomatic relations with
the allied republics and IL II not Ia be supposed
! that We should grasp the outstrctched hand. be-
dabbled with American blood. without exacting
| Justice to the Cuban people.
Spain cannot rely upon definite victory; she
| has only delayed the course Of the great rcyolu-
J ton which leaves such immortal names n those
| OF Cespedes and Agrnmontc; hut the people Of
Cuba will never he satisfied until they have can
celled their debt OF gratitude to those heroes by
erecting on the free soil OF their country mon
ument which shall immortali2n their memory.
The power ot Spain in Cuba is bnsed to-day
on the force OF her arius and on the Infamous
/ institution Of slavery of the African race. Cuba
has right t. expect much from the wcll-iricd
] patriotism OF her sons. and the rightiulness OF
] ncr course is based upon unconditional free
/ dom for all. This state of things cannot last
long on American soil.