A very disagreeable incident has occurred at Gibraltar. Two refugees
from Cuba, against whom nothing is alleged except treason, landed without passports, and were immediately con- veyed by the British police across the frontier. The Spanish police thereupon arrested them, and they are now in confine. ment. So far, nothing is proved, beyond the occurrence of a most regrettable accident ; but it is alleged, on Spanish testi- mony, that the expulsion was previously arranged with the Spanish authorities, who now openly boast of the assistance rendered them. Questions have been asked in Parliament, and the Government, evidently believing part of the accusation, has ordered the most strict inquiry. If true, the story is a very bad one. The British police, situated as they are in Gibraltar, are naturally friendly to the Spanish police across the fron- tier, who can, if they please, make their lives a burden to them; but expulsion for want of passports is absurd, with Spanish travellers entering every day,—and Cuban insurgents are, of all men, entitled to the benefit of a refuge. They have exiled themselves, and can do no more harm to the Havannah Government. Spain ought to rejoice that the insurgents are in Europe, instead of in Cuba ; and to offer free pardon to all who will follow their example, instead of compelling them, as she does, to fight to the bitter end.
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