The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-25
The New Crisis in Cuba-Emancipa-
ton the Remedy

| ne lniTtQucut ltcuis VI SupuA $500
which have been allowed to pass the censor
ship at Havana are not reassuring for those
| optimists who would have US believe that
| the Ever Faithful Isle" attained per-
manent solution Of its difficulties by the
peace of Zanjon in February of last year.
There can be no doubt that the transaction
celebrated at Zanjon between Captain Cen
eral Martinez del Campo and the leading
Cuban insurgents, whether 1T be termed
treaty or a capitulation, was entered upon
in good faith by both parties, and that IL
has led to measurably good results. war
of nearly ten years duration was terml-
mated without disgrace to either OF the
belligerents, the insurgent chleftalns nave
been honorably treated ut Havana, and the
island. has enjoyed a much needed rest for
nearly two years. The coffee, sugar and
cotton interests have revived under the
benign influences of security from the
insurgent torch, many OF the ruined haci-
endas have arisen from their ashes and new
ones have been established in various por-
tions of the island. An honest effort has
been made to reform some of the long
standing abuses in the financial admins
tration, good degree of personal and polit-
ical liberty has been enjoyed, and. above
all, veritable liberal party has been Gre
ated, which pleads for reform-not by in
surrection, but by constitutional methods
For all these benefits Cuba is indebted to
the wise and conciliatory policy of the late
Captain General Martinez del Campo, now
Premier of Spain, who fairly earned the
proud title of Pacifcator Of Cuba. His
name must ever be held in respectful re-
gard by the Cuba of the future, whether
colonial autonomous or independent. 1t
is pleasant to note that many of the chief
tains who fought valiantly against him
until the pacihcation of Zanjon maintain
their loyalty to the spirit and the letter of
that compact. The Cuban deputies in the
earnestly repudiate all connection with or
responsibility for the new uprising in the
island, and their disclaimers are echoed
with more or less sincerity by the leaders
of the liberal party at Havana
Nevertheless a new instruction arose in
the Eastern Department at the close of Au-
gust last, and has steadily increased and
extended westward until now it presents a
formidable front in Camaguey and the
Cinco Villas. The newspaper organ in
New York Of the first Cuban Instruction,
which refused to accept the peace of
Zanjon and kept alive the torch Of revolu-
ton, is naturally jubilant, and declares
80
the 10th OF October. 1868, is once more
triumphant on the fields of hundred
glories for Free Cuba. According to the
revived Cuban Junta of this city the
ignominious crime of Zanjon is now to be
avenged. That shameful compact has ct
least. say they, served one useful purpose
namely, to purge the cause of Cuban in
| dependence Of the traitors, the towards
and the half-hearted friends who sold out
for Spanish gold. The new insurrection
has no place reserved in its councils or in
its camps for such men, but, on the other
hand, tens of thousands who were too
young to figure in the former struggle or
who honestly believed then that Spain
might be trusted to effect the promised re-
forms, will now support the revolution as
the only expedient for attaining permanent
peace and prosperity.
1t would be in vain to deny that there is
some. truth in these allegations. The new
Cuban instruction is not purely an up
rising Of the negro element in the Eastern
Department, as has been too hastily be-
lieved, nor is it merely the offshoot of the
turbulent disposition of few leaders of
the former struggle. 1t cannot be denied
that Cuba has remained tranquil for nearly
two years awaiting the fulflment of
Spanish promises, which has seemingly
been indefinitely postponed. Whenever
during the late Cuban revolution any diplo-
matte pressure was exerted upon Spain
by the Cabinets of Washington, London or
Paris, the ready excuse for declining to take
measures for emancipation or for financial
reform was that, although the Spanish gov
eminent ardently desired to introduce these
reforms, it must postpone them until the
insurgents had loyalty submitted. Well,
the island has been at peace for two years,
and the first practical step for emancipation
has yet to be taken.
Emancipation in Cuba seems to be
weighed down by the multitude of its
friends We are told that King Alfonso,
like King Amadeo and like President Cas-.
telar. is an ardent friend of emancipation.
Premier Martinez del Campo is fully COM
mitted to it, Canovas del Castillo desires it,
Serrano, Martos, Sagasta and Ruiz Zorrilla
clamor for it. All parties both in Spain
and in Cuba have made up their minds
that emancipation must come. The plant
ers themselves no longer oppose it openly
some of them have taken the initiative on
their own estates. There is no pretence that
there is any constitutional impediment, 70,
+ba Cortac bava a1raadv remarkably sanc-