Year: 1875

Spain's Answer.


Our London despatch points out the char
acter Of the reply made by Spain to the rep
resentatives of our government in regard to
Cuba and the unpleasant complications
which arise from its disturbed condition.
Spain. it appears, recognizes distinctly that
she is already pledged to gradual emancipa-
ton in Cuba ; promises to provide for the
greater freedom of trade between this coun-
try and that island promises that foreigners
arrested shall have their cases acted upon
without delay, and proposes redress for
former hastiness-that is, for the summary
executions or murders practised on our citi-
zens by over-zealous Spanish officials. This
is said to be the utmost that Spain can con-
cede, and that she is not without anxiety as
to the reception that will be accorded to
this answer.


From the Spanish reply we get pretty
clearly the outline of the much discussed
note that recently revived the examination of
our relations with the Power which takes the
position that it cannot survive as nation, If
it cannot keep up nuisance at our doors IN
it's continued possession of the Island of
Cuba. Our note has evidently gone over the
common places of the position-slavery, in
terruptions to commerce and butchery OF
foreigners, and has demanded, peremptorily,
that these long existing causes of complaint
shall come to an end. As they will eventu-
ally come to an end only when the Spanish
possession of Cuba comes to an end our
note has apparently contemplated such
termination of the trouble, and the Spanish
Ministry has seen between the lines an in
timation that if they did not give
satisfaction in the present emergency
this government would recognize the
belligerency of the insurgents AS
Spain has made to us several times just such
a reply as the one now made she must sup
pose that if we are at last in earnest this re-
ply will not be satisfactory hence her anx-
iety to know how twill be received.


In fact this reply meekly proposes to do
for us in the way of concession those things
which every civilized Power does for every
other as matter of course things which are
part of the common law of international rela-
tions; things which it would bea just reproach
and shame to any Power to fail to do without
the urging of its neighbors. But Spain has
promised these things before-every one of
them-has promised them over and over
again, and her failure to keep these promises
is the source Of the constant disturbance Of
our peaceful relations. In this note we do
not see any indication that the promise
on this occasion will be better kept
than before we do not see any guarantee
that we shall not in six months or year
have to return on our steps and make once
more these ever recurring representations
touching Cuba, and the outrages and viola
tions Of law committed there by Spanish
officials against our people and our COM
merce. SPANS diplomatic correspondence
seems to be drawn by men who appreciate
properly the proportion between Spain and
other nations, and use in consequence very
moderately toned style but Spain's rela-
tions with other Powers are practically con-
Quoted by another sort Of men, by the
Burriels of her army and navy, who do not
comprehend that the power to slaughter
Hunureu Helplsss cdptlFeS uoes Hot entltie
any one to domineer over the human race.
This will remain the same in the future.
Some newer butcher will give us the practi-
cal Interpretation of these notes.


But whatever Spain may say or do, or fail
to do the problem of Cuba and our relations
with Spain is clear enough for the people
Since we have endured all this for seven
years there is no imperative need to be pre-
cipitate now If we could let the incident
of the Yirginius pass without shot we can
wait for the final settlement until a time
when our effort in favor of the Cubans shall
not result in forging chains for ourselves.