The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-03-22
United States and Cuba.

The failure of scheme TO place Cuba
under the protection OF the United States
was announced By telegraph in our paper
yesterday. The story is that General BALDY
SMITH was entrusted with the affair, and re-
Gently visited Madrid to propose that Cuba
should be made free, with an American pro-
tectorate; the Cubans to pay Spain $780,
100000 in bonds endorsed by the United
States. 1t is added that the Madrid authori-
ties would not entertain the proposition.
II the first part is true, the conclusion Of
the story is entirely reliable.
II the story is true, what authority did
General BALDY SMITH have for making the
proposition to the Madrid authorities? OF
course that will be made known. II our
Government bad anything to do with it,
we can say that it is Of a piece with the bun
Cling that has always marked American
diplomacy with regard to Cuba. For near
half century there have occurred frequent
opportunities that not only opened the way
for American Intervention in Cuban affairs,
but fairly demanded that the United States
should, for the protection OF her own dig
nifty and for maintaining peace and security
IN American waters, take Cuba in hand.
To the national obligation Of seeing to this
there was. added the strong national interest
which almost demanded that Cuba should
be acquired by the United States to pre-
vent it from falling into the hands
OF some other Power at period when.
from the weakness and incapacity Of
the Spanish Government, it could hardly be
kept under the rule of Spain. The con-
siderations that should have impelled our
Government to have taken decided mea-
sures were frequently impressed upon
us. But there have been indecision and
hesitation. "I win" has been forced
always to. wait upon 81 dare not"
Opportunities came and departed, and
propositions for n peaceful acquisition
came always at the wrong time, and were
always injudiciously concocted and feebly
presented. A measure that nothing should
have defeated has only brought American
diplomacy into ridicule; and the utter abb
sence Of all judgment and decision on the
part OF the American Government in deal
ing with Cuba has only impressed the world
with the idea that it was deficient in the
forecast and resolution indispensable to the
proper protection and direction Of the ex-
terror relations of the republic.
We think that for the present at least it
would be we'll for the United States to let
Cuba alone. For long series OF years the
so-called Cuban rebellion and the feeble
efforts at its suppression have disturbed the
peace OF this nation. 1t was war that was
offensive TO civilization. It resembled The
conflicts of barbarous tribes. Yet it kept
the commerce with the West Indies dis
turbed, and constantly bothered our Gov
eminent with the expeditions fitted out in |
our ports to aid the rebels and inugorate
their war. Yet all was endured with the
most ior5earing spirit by our author
tiles. And now there is peace in Cuba.
There has been no triumph Of either
side 10 end the war. The rebels have
got tired of fighting the Government,
and the Government has been long time
tired OF lighting the rebels, and both Gov
ernment and insurgents have, much to their |
satisfaction, concluded to quit their folIies
and go TO sleep. 81. ...
This prolonged opportunity, which Ian
guisbed 10 pestiierous feebleness, and Ian
gushing did endure until life gave out, has
passed by, and now that preteyt is ended.
We have approached the Spanish Govern
ment with money.bags until the proud Dons
have conceived q contempt for us, and it.
gcnld be idle to try again such baldI
offer as that which General BALDY SMITH is
said to baye presented to the court Of Ma
drjd. l
Now, let Us wait in chagrin until another
cpporlunitS when, il we profit BY expe-i
riencs, VIC lsay denean ourselves In man
ner npore worthy of the model republic.
4 RUSSIA AID IlssNaaAs 81. The little differ
enee hstssen gland ana Russsa Ii Of aiIf
eaaraessr that ID NOT cred liable to Ping land.
tnE8aE pr0p To read fIse WIN, treafv III,