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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4525, 21 September 1875, Page 2

While Spain is torn by the rival factions of the House of Bourbon, Cuba is paralysed by tho long and bloody struggle to free itself from Spanish domination. In a recent issue we gave currency to a rumor that the Madrid Government was about to send 10,000 men as a reinforcement to the Cuban army. This resolution has not been come to a day too soon, as latest American papers contain details of almost incessant fighting in Cuba, in which the insurgents appear to have had slightly the advantage. In one of theso encounters, tho rebel leader Rivas, a mulatto, was captured and executed by the Spanish commander. Eight young men from Havana, out on a frolic on St. John's day, were shot by the Spanish authorities on a charge of shouting " Viva Cuba Libre." A general attack, on all points of their lines, was made by tho rebels on the 24th and 25th Juno, and " in every raid and attack they have "accomplished tho object for which it

"was made, namely, that of obtaining " supplies, and in no instance was their " loss greater than that of the " Spaniards." Tho Captain-General, "Valmaseda, took the field in person, as a body of 800 rebel cavalry was scouring the country within the Spanish lines. Two days subsequently the rebels had fought their way to within three miles of his head-quarters, driving in tho regular troops and Cuban volunteers with considerable loss. A Spanish garrison is cooped up in Puerto Principe. The garrison is harassed by constant night attacks. None of the men dare venture outside the fortifications in fear of retaliation for the murder of some Cuban citizens by the commander. The Cuban President, Agtjillera, was in New York for the purpose of obtaining men and supplies, and the Spanish ships of war were on the alert to prevent a descent on Cuba. A despatch from Havana, under date July 31st, announces that the political governor of that city, Guiterrez de la Vega, has been sent home in disgrace, after having embezzled enormous sums. As Director-General of the Royal Exchequer, he is accused of having pocketed over a million dollars in hard cash; he pilfered the city charities, and manipulated the State lotteries. While this is going on in Havana, the insurgents have three well-equipped armies in the field : Sanguill's command of 5000 within twenty miles of Colon ; Garcia's command of 3000 near Las Tunas, and Gomez's division of 5000 men in the vicinity of Sagua and Cienfuegos. We cannot help thinking that the American Government is guilty of culpable negligence in not interposing between the Madrid Government and Cuban insurgents. The interests of humanity, not to speak of trade, demand a cessation of hostilities. Why the Washington Government permits such a national scandal to continue at its doors does not clearly appear ; but if America will not interpose, it is full time England gave .King Alphonso to understand that unless his troops can establish his authority within a given time, they must be withdrawn from Cuba. In Old Spain, the fleet has been ordered to bombard and destroy all Carlist ports, while an English frigate has been told off for special service to protect the interests of British subjects. How long Europe is to stand by and seo Spain a prey to royal ruffians is a mystery which no one can understand. The state of Naples and Sicily engrossed attention, with far less reason, years gone by ; but now the Great Powers are so intent watching each other, thsvt Spaniards have perfect immunity for anything they may do. A new Constitution is promised for the kingdom. "The draft opens " with a declaration of individual and " religious liberty. The Legislature is to " consist of a Senate and Chamber of " Deputies, composed as in other " monarchical States. The magistracy is "to be irremovable." It is 'believed the Constitution will be adopted without modification. The London Times of the 7th July, has the following speculations on the political and military situation in Spain :

"The recent minor successes of Generals Jovellar and Martinez-Campos are more than outweighed by the reverses to General Loma. He has been repulsed with heavy loss. General Queseda has not only been baffled in his attempts to throw supplies into Vittoria, but has himself been driven behind the Kiver Ebro. It is also said that Vittoria has, for the first time since the war began, been cub off from communication with Madrid. ' Tho Carlists are so much elated by their triumphs, and place so much reliance on the artillery they have at last obtained, that they seem about to begin a forward marcb." After considering the desirability that the guerilla character of the hostilities should terminate and the war be fought out on the plains, as otherwise it is capable of indefinite continuance, Tlic Times declares that " all the bright hopes that Alphonso brought to Spain have vanished. His best generals are less active than under Serrano. The first attempt to strike a decisive blow brought defeat instead of victory. Nor has the King been more successful in Madrid. The Church remains in an attitude of solemn protest, demanding an impossibility. Tho attempt to please it by banishing the liberal professors and coquetting with the old principles of religious persecution has failed to satisfy it and enraged the Liberals. Hence the Ministry seem ready to try the effect of as much religious toleration as will permit Protestants to worship in back streets. But such a concession will disgust the clerical party and not satisfy Alphonso's political supporters. Nor has the King been able to make peace between the warring factions. An attempt of the moderate parties to join hands has come to nothing, for it would be absurd to anticipate anything from the constitutional scheme of which the telegraph brings information. The Ministers dare not allow tho King to summon Parliament lest they should let looso a torrent of popular discontent. The Press of Madrid is muzzled to prevent it from being disloyal. The Treasury is in such a state that tho Government cannot pay the army or navy."