Year: 1869

Prsgroas Of the CHbaa Revolution.


Minister Sickles, as We are informed from


Washington, writes hopefully as to the prcbs-


BILE result Of bis negotiations relative to Cuba.


We are told that the General expresses the


opinion that bis original propositions will be


finally accepted by the Cabinet in Madrid,
! although the Spaniards will take some time to
consider them. The Regent Serrano is, Cen
eral Sickles says, we'll disposed to treat on the
subject Of sale or transfer of the island and
would settle the case either way if it were
solely in his hands. The other Ministers
are slow, both in perception and action,


but General Sickles is sanguine. We
cannot see why Spain should hesitate


Every day that passes over adds strength
and vigor to the struggling patriots of Cuba
and strikes discomfort and disnay to their
oppressors. Since Captain General Dulce left
| disheartened and dispirited for the mother
country and his place was supplied by Cabal-
lero De Rodas the Spanish cause has fallen
from bad to worse. Defeat, discomfort and
disappointment among the Spaniards have
tended largely towards their decentralization.
while at the same time these causes have
worked to the advantage of those by whom
they were opposed. Troops commanded by
some of the ablest generals of Spain have
failed to suppress the spirit of liberty that ami
mates every Cuban heart. The day is long
since past when compromise could with honor
be accepted. That the Cubans are In earnest
in this great struggle none will deny. With
heroic courage and noble perseverance they
struggle against superior odds, and success
smiles on their labors.


While thus freedoms cause is making itself
felt against the Spaniards, and each day adds
new strength to the liberating army, troubles
in the Spanish camp are prevalent. De Rodas
who it was thought would with his soldiers
overrun the island and bring the insolent insur-
gents to obedience, has lost caste. Even now
secret manifestoes are being circulated against
him. He is not cruel, heartless or bloody
enough to satisfy the desires Of those whose
highest aspirations are that Cuba should still
continue under the ignominious yoke Of Spain.
The course pursued by the Captain General is
too mild, and therefore he must be got rid
Of 1t was similar opposition that caused
Dulce to resign. and De Rodas may yet have
to follow bis example. These dissensions will
prove Of benefit to the Cuban cause Let SOL
diers Of Spain and the volunteers of the island
quarrel as they please among themselves; let
them play the Kilkenny cat game if they SO
desire; let them cast the responsibility where
they will as to the failure of their rule, still
they cannot remove the depressing weight
from their minds that unity, determination and
courage are the elements that hold the liber-
ating army to the accomplishment of the indie
pendence of this fruitful and favored land.


In yesterdays HERALD we published the
full particulars Of the battle which took place
near Las Tulas. The opposing forces of
Valmaseda and Quesada met. The Spaniards
looked for the victory which they were taught
to believe would be theirs whenever and
wherever they encountered ''the unarmed
rabble Of the insurgent army" They fought
that ''rabble" and secured defeat They were
driven back behind their Notifications with
severe loss. For more reasons than one will
| this battle well be regarded as momentous
| one. 1t was perhaps the most important of
the revolution, on account of the numbers en-
gagged the general who commanded is looked
forward to as the successor of Rodas, and the
Spaniards fought with full belief that they
would drive the ill-disciplined revolutionists
from the field at first fire. A few more such
engagements, and the backbone of Spanish
dan iuf Eua Eai Il To1o ;ck
The result may be delayed, but it is inevitable.
If without the means possessed by the enemy
the patriots make such strides, what might
they not accomplish if the positions of both
were equal It matters little, however, now,
until the island becomes free, sovereign and
Independent nation.