The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-03-17
what VIC Think of Cuba's Case M II
Stands.

cthuNHs
We think that the prospect for Cuba i,
good. We think that there is good ground
OF hope for the success Of the army OF liber
alton. We think that there Is reason for
looking for the accomplishment OF the revo.
luton. We think hat Spain cannot long
prevent the establishment Of n free republic
in Cuba. We think that the people there
will be capable Of maintaining n strong and
progressive republican government.
It Is not necessary that WI make any pre-
diction In the case. We can but form a
Judgment upon IL from the events OF the
year OF war and from the situation AS 1t
exists at this time. We look over the
field, watch the operations, estimate the
ever varying strength OF the contend
ing forces, think what has been gained
and what remains to he gained, peruse the
dispatches from both sides, acquire such
other Information as may be available to
us, and then seek to come to n conclusion as
to the probable final result. It is our judg-
ment that the prospect for Cuba is good.
Spain has advantages over Cuba in the pos
session OF n few ofthe very strongly fortified
cities OF the island, in the naval fleet which
guards the coast, in the superior magnitude
of'her army, in her ability to draw rein
forcements from the home cantonments, In
the command of field artillery, in the far
better equipment of her troops, and in her
ability to obtain a certain amount OF money
foy warlike purposes.
Cuba has advantages over Spain in that
her soldiers fight upon their W ground, in
HAT they are battle tried, in that they are
acclimated, in that they can live upon the
country, in that they are accustomed to the
kind of warfare which they wage, in that
they hold most of the Cuban territory, in that
they can perform duty at all seasons of the
year, in that they often vanquished the
enemy during the irresistible march from
tho east to the extreme west, in that their
Generals are far superior strategiststo those
Of Spain, in that they have been able to
threaten the enemy's capital for months, in
thst they pay regard to military honor, in
that they possess the sympathy OF the ma
tive population, In that they are able to
capture arms, in that they are afame with
patriotic enthusiasm, and in that they re-
ceive encouragement from the friendly peo-
ole Of the United States.
Spain has the heaviest battalions, but
these do not always win in war. Cuba has
the iniexible determination and the spirit
OF liberty. which have often given the victory
TO their possessors.
A survey Of the situation in Cuba at this
Zine is hopeful for the revolution as re-
garded from the military standpoint. The
spaniards are unable to repossess any of the
territory from which they have been ex-
PEELED; they have confessed their inability
to drive away the large patriot army which
has lowered for three months, and yet
hovers, near Havana, the capture of which
will doubtless be attempted as soon as a sup
ply Of siege artillery can be obtained; they
have not been able, after a years efforts, to
weaken the revolutionary army, the strength
ofSwhich, indeed, is ever increasing; WEY-
Z is not able, any more than his predeces-
sor was, to cope with GOMEZ; the season Of
the deluge and the pestilence is at hand.
Cuba is strong in her spirit and her valor;
she is strong in her leadership; abe is strong
in that she is right; she is strengthened by
the memories of her past struggles; she is
strong in the multitude OF her sons who
are ready to fight for her to the death.
We believe that there is good hope for the
freedom Of Cuba.