Year: 1875




disgraced


THE RESTORATION IN SPAIN AND CUBA


If there was any sincerity about the felici-
tations upon the restoration of Don Alfonso,
addressed to the Spanish people by excitable
organs of reaction here and in England, it is
pleasant to think they are not long to be left
in error in regard to the results of that event.
1t is too late in the day for prince to make
any people happy. name has certain
power still, but it is too thin diet to sus-
tain nations prosperity. There is not the
slightest sign that the return of the Bourbon
dynasty to Spain is to accomplish any
thing for the country; on the contrary
there is every indication that the very objects
which his adherents thought were to be at
once accomplished by this means are rather
moro hopelessly out Of reach than ever. 1t
was confidently asserted that the Carlist in
surrecton would Immediately disappear as
soon as it was confronted by a genuine
Catholic King 1t is said that even
the Pope shared in this idea and sent letter
to Don Carlos advising him to give up his re-
bellion and be reconciled to his cousin. But
If this story is true, it merely shows that there
are some things in which Pope who has
lived beyond the years of Peter is not infalli-
BILE. There has been no time in the last five
years in which Don Carlos has shown less
intention to surrender his claims than at
present. The young King wanted to make
everything pleasant and easy for him. in that
way, and so hurried away from Madrid to
Navarro to give him a sound and cousiny
tbrashing, 80 that he could yield gracefully
to circumstances. But the elder Bourbon de-
clined to be disciplined, and Don Alfonso has
returned to Madrid to consider some other
expedient. Meanwhile the campaign does not
seem to have derived any especial impetus from
the presence of the anointed monarch. Gen.
Moriones relieved Pampeluna, but it is now
reported that Pampeluna does not in the least
relieve MOriones, and that his force is virtually
blockaded there. The AlfOnsists are appar-
emily retiring in Biscay and GuipuzcOa, and
the Carlists are relatively stronger IN those
provinces. All of which goes to prove that
there is no divinity in one princely name in
Snain to prevent the followers of another
prince from cutting throats Loyalty in his
name.


Nor in the Kings colonies do bis affairs
seem to prosper. Even if we make all possl-
BILE allowances for the inevitable inaccuracies
of news from Cuba, we will have to admit
that the insurgents are displaying rather un-
usual activity and enterprise. The trOcha has
certainly been broken in the Department of
the CncO Villas and all the efforts of the
Spanish regulars, and even the personal pres
ence of Gen. Concha, have not been able to
ifu in, fbo in od Iictrict Ao
usual, the Captain General has telegraphed to
Spain for further reGnforcements, and has got
the promise of them in perfectly unqualified
terms; but as the Colonial Secretary, Senor
Lopez de Ayala, is q poet, it may not be wise
for the General to rely too implicitly upon
his promises. COncha has also asked permis-
sion to pay his expenses out of the property
of the disloyal, which request has also been
promptly granted by cable. So that whatever
else happens, the opportunities for money
making among the Pennsular pltriots of Ha-
vana are not to be restricted. Unfortunately
for the venerable Marquis of Havana, he is
not to reap the advantage of this golden
harvest, as it is now announced that he is to
be replaced, by that distinguished warrior and
politician, the Count of Valmaseda. This is
the practical meaning Of all the young Kings
fine promises Of justice and reform. The
Cuban insurrectiOn is to be handed over once
more into the hands of the most brutal and
stupid ruffian who has ever disgraced the
Spanish name in the New World.


There might be- under these circumstances,
some hope for Cuban independence, if there
were any harmony among the Cubans. The
Spanish power was never weaker in the
island than to-day. 1t is the very life-blood
of Spain Which the Government of Madrid is
trying to send over by way of reinforcing the
PeninsuIar army. Don Alfonso can spare few
men and little money for this service. The
contest does no one any good except the con-
tractors Of Havana. One strong and united
effort by the Cubans would finish the work
and break the rule of Spain on the island.
But we see little to encourage us in the hope
that such an effort will be made. There is
enough courage, enough devotion, enough in
telligence among them; but there seems to be
no spirit of organization or self-control.
They are willing to sacrifice their lives and
their property, but they will not sacrifice their
prejudices. Wherever three Of them are gath
cred together, each is usually ready to accuse
the other two of treason. A committee of
Cubans came one day to this Office to ask
help. "What do you wanti" 1--WE want
"THE TRIBUNE to denOunce - and
@ as traitors to tho Cuban
cause" mentioning men whose only passion
in life is Cuban Independence. Even Cespedes
could not do enough to protect him from this
fatal disease Of suspicion. The night before
last there was a meeting Of prominent Cubans
IN this city to- concert means to give greater
efficiency to their work Of liberation. 1t ac-