Year: 1872

Cuba and tho Allied HepuDhcs Oh


south America-A Lesson for tho


United states.


We publish in the HERALD to-day an inter-
esting letter from our special correspondent in
Peru, from which it appears that the SYM
pathy SO long manifested by the South Ameri-
can republics with the cause of the Cuban
revolutionists promises now to take practical
shape and to lead to important results. About
two months ago Chile led off in the movement
in favor Of Cuban independence and freedom
by public meetings, by newspaper agitation
and by the formation Of society for the pur-
pose of extending material aid to the strug-
Cling patriots. The earnestness of the
Chileans in the cause was manifested by the
questioning Of the Minister Of Foreign Affairs
in the House Of Representatives as to the sem
timents and intentions of the government in
regard to the Cuban conflict, and, although
the Minister automatically evaded direct
reply, there are sufficient indications to show
that the sympathy prevalent among the peo-
pie is shared in by the government. Peru
has followed the example Of Chile, and enters
vigorously into the championship Of the
cause of Cuban independence. The press OF
the Republic, divided on political questions,
is united in advocating active interference to
drive the Spaniards from the island Three
plans have been proposed-a loan to the
Cuban Republic secured by national bonds;
o South American league, embracing Mexico,
for the final liberation of the island, and the
immediate enlistment of Peru single-handed in
the struggle. Meanwhile it is evident that the
Peruvians are in earnest on the subject, and
that it would be hazardous for the administra-
ton of President Pardo to oppose the popular
sentiment.


TIE developments made by the HERALD
Commissioner in Cuba will serve to intensity
the desire of the allied Republics to take up
the cause of the revolutionists, and will prob
those governments. When it is discovered that
after four years single-handed struggle
against the power of Spain the patriots have
now in active service an army of twelve thousand
men, which would be swelled to fifty thousand
if the supply Of arms and ammunition enabled
them to take the field, the people of Chile and
Peru will be the more eager to extend to these
brave men the aid which would secure to them
the independence for which they have fought
so well. The propositions Of the Peruvians
are not quixotic, as our correspondent mis-
takenly designates them. Spain is weaker as
military power to-day than she was when
Chile won her independence, or when Peru
scattered the Spanish army at Ay-acucho. All
the forces that the Spanish government can
raise and rely upon are needed at home to
prop the tottering throne and beat back the
ever-returning wave Of revolution. Cuba has
already stood for four years unsubdued, de-
spite the desperate efforts of the Spanish
troops and the revolving barbarities of blood
thirsty volunteers. To-day the Republic has
an army of ten or twelve thousand
men in the field, and a united people
behind it ready to swell its ranks as
soon as weapons and ammunition can be
secured. Very small outside aid is needed to
turn the Cuban patriots into the aggressors and
enable them to drive the Spaniards from their
island, as they were driven from Chile nearly
sixty years ago and from Peru within the last
half century. An active movemen. Of the
South American Republics in favor of Cuban
independence would render the final result of
the struggle certain, and that result would be
in favor of freedom, humanity and civilization


The great Republic Of the United States
stands rebuked before the action of Chile and
Peru Again we hear of the disgraceful pro-
vision in the convention manufactured at
Washington by which we sought to tie the
hands of the South American republics and to
deprive the struggling Cubans Of any aid
from those sympathizing friends. Chile and
Peru refuse to ratify the convention because
of this cruel provision, and our government
has to add to the shame of this pandering to
Spanish interests the humiliation of the de-
feat Of its scheme. Apart from this, it is
neither creditable to us as the leading republic
of the world, nor fattering to our self-esteem
as people to allow the little States of South
America to ousstrip us in the race of human
ity and to teach us the duty of q free govern
ment towards a people who, by four years
successful struggle against foreign oppression
have fairly won their title to independence.
Nevertheless, we hail with satisfaction the
prospect of ON active movement on the part Of
the allied republics of South America in aid Of
the Cuban cause the more SO since it is GER
tain that the brave policy of Chile and Peru
will render it impossible for our government
to remain longer in the unenviable position it
now occupies with regard to Spain and Cuba


ENGLISH AGRrCULTURIsTs. speaking OF
late London meeting in behalf of agricultural