Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-12-26
Cuba aud Spain.

Cuba aud Spain.
Cuba remembers no time when tn.
home government, while promising re.
forms and justice, did not in the end
break its word either by the appoint.
ment of time serving courtiers to au.
thority, or drawing the sword on ill.
disguised pretexts of instruction.
From the very beginning Of Spanish
rule, the Island has not enjoyed the
full benefit of colonial privileges under
the Laws OF the Indies" The early
governors will was absolute, and even
after the sugar and coffee of Cuba found
q regular place in the markets of the
world, and money and African slaves
Madrid was deaf to all agitations for
independence or annexation to the
United States or reforms. Much was
promised, but Spanish promises are
only kept when convenient.
1t is therefore natural that the agita.
ton in Madrid in favor of emancipation
of the slaves is regarded on this side of
the water with great suspicion. That
the government had actually drawn up
q bill, and that it had been read in the
Spanish Senate by the Minister of the
Colonies, who took the ground in his
speech that slavery was contrary to
the laws of nature, and could no longer
be maintained in q civilized world"
was announced by cable last week, and
must be taken as evidence of pro.
found change in Spanish public opin.
ion during the past few years. Since
the eloquent appeals for liberty by
Senior CASTELAR,, his popularity, his
death sentence, his escape to Switzer.
land, his return to power and the found
ing of a Republican party in Spain,
the old-time absolutism OF the upper
classes has not been so uncompromis-
ing. The success of the Republic in
France, likewise, has given prestige to
the liberal cause while the bloody and
expensive war in Cuba opened the
hearts as we'll as the minds of the ma.
ton to a reasonable solution OF the
| Cuban question.
In Cuba, also, while the war pro-.
ceeded most desperately, and much
sentiment was expended Oh "bleeding
liberty" the clouds seem to be breaking
away. General Martinez de Campos,
while hurting his 80, 600 soldiers merci-
lessly upon the broken but devoted
lines of the insurgents, exhibited such
consideration for his prisoners of war
and the people Of the surrendering
provinces, that he rapidly gained the
confidence of all classes. This is said
of him by one on the ground:
Humane, generous, gentemanly,
he promises neither pardon nor obliv-
ion; he offers liberty. He says that
his word is sacred, and pledges it; and
worn out by fatigue and discourage.
ment, the enemy at last surrenders, and
lie captures the good will of ALL"
A conqueror of this stripe can do in
calculable good, both in modifying the
home policy and preventing local es.
arrangements. The cry of the ultra
radical party in Spain that it should he
an immediate emancipation is echoed
to some extent in America-more par
ticularly in the United States. The
Cubans are disposed to accept the situa-
ton. This latter fact is most signiti-
cant. Five years or 50 is very proper
concession for the Cubans to make tON
home government SO disposed to mpN
amends for the past, but unable gu ac-
count OF an empty treasury to bring it
all about in one day.