The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-10
THE CUBAN REVOLUTION.
10 THE EDITOR OF TIE HKuALD:-

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HRnALD:-
NEW YORK. Nov. !, 1868.
The interview between Captain General Ler-
sundi and several citizens OF Havana on the oath
ult concerning the present state OF AFFAIRS in Cuba
has merely been alluded to in some OF the news
papers OF this city; but nave verbatim report Of
that interview, giving full details Of 1t, which runs
rs follows
Seeing that as yet not even the slightest promise
proclaimed by the new government or Spain and
that intense excitement Is growing ont OF 1t, coupled
with an instruction In the eastern department. Of
this island, 1t was thought advisable TO con-
fer with the Captain General OF Cuba on
this critical state OF affairs Accordingly
permission was asked OF him for a Conference winch
was granted, and over forty OF the most influential
citizens, botn Spaniards and Guiana met on the
9th inst al the palace OF the Captain General There
Ybafez, Martinez aldivieso, Argudin, Colmenares
Ojero, Duran J. NJ Morales, j. NJ Meslre Count
}. Poey, A. NJ. Munoz, G.. Jorrin, Gonzalez de Men
dosa, j. M. Mora, X. Herrera M. Arozarena, Martin
Rlyero, Fernandez Bramosio, Colonel Modet and
several Others. On their appearance before the
Captain General he remarked that he did
n MOI expect c 70 meet 80 large an assem- M
added 'the larger the assemblage the greater
the honor shall be happy to listen TO you with the
answer, and there shall be no further discussions
Profound silence ensued for a few moments, when
General Lersundi broke 1t by exclaimng:-"Whati
rose and said that on the previous day he mad con-
versation with AIR. Mestre and some other citizens
about the expectancy OF conference with the Cap
tain General on the present state OF things in this
Island. These brief words being uttered, dead
silence prevailed once more, as The ca cunstances
were embarrassing and even painful. But MIR.
Aestre awaiting himself OF the remarks OF his COL
league, took the floor and spoke as foows:-
although am aware that instead OF the first
should be the last 10 speak on this occasion, the
alusion made to me BY MIR. Ratio leads me to pre-
cede those who are better qualified than am to
treat upon the subject that brings here together
j VIII frankly speak, not only from q OF duty,
but also because on occasions like the present one
nothing should be left unspokel. 10 be in
yersaton with Mr.. Ratio and several other gentle
men held tnat 1t would De advisable that the gov
ernnent of this province should authorize OF ut
least allow the citizens to meet together and treat
on public affairs, for the reasons which Will pre-
senty state. The grave events recently developed
III spain nave given rise TO considerable uneaslness
and excitement In Cuba as it was but natural
should come 10 pass. In consequence OF such events
great liberal principles have been proclaimed by the
new government, OF the nation guaranteeing the
rights which are always dear to civilized mankind,
and all the Spanish people, wherever they may be-
must consider themselves entitled to the full enjoy.
ments OF those rights; yet the inhabitants OF this
island, though part and parcel OF the whole nation
cidedly liberal should be pursued in Cuba accord
Ing to the state OF aairs now legally established in
be advisable to allow meetings OF the people as al
luded to, but also the freedom OF the press that the
public mind may have full scope. Then the in
habitants OF this province, content and harmoni-
ously treating upon their affairs, Will bring
about such changes among us as may
be required to conform with the new govern
ment without turmoil or danger. Indeed, the
most liberal policy should be looked upon as the
most conservative, and for this reason have sug-
gested untrammelled meetings OF the people, that
their best men study the grave questions before
and seek their solution, that impending evils may
be averted and our welfare efficiently securedn
Mr.. Mestre made a few further remarks on the
present crisis and closedhs speech, stating that he
would take up the subject again and enlarge upon 1t
II any discussion was to be had concerning the same
Then Colonel Modet was allowed to take the floor,
and held the question In the same light that Mr.
Mestre did, but more theoretically, however, re.
marking finally that he had the honor Of having
been the first who IN the national Congress advocated
the rights Of Cuba.
Before any other gentleman could ask leave to
speak General Lersundi answered in the following
strain
wished this conference to tender their services 10
In the present emergency; but see that they have
OF this island to crticise his acts and prefer very
grave charges against him. True. 1t has been as
serted that from the revolution in Spain certain
rights have accrued and are acknowledged to all the
Spaniards, and that the persons who have consti-
tuted provisional government at Madrid wish to
extend those rights to this island. In have
10 say that certain person has interposed himself
between the metropolis and this province, and that
parsonage is myself. / have received no direct
Communication from that government, even
tary for the Colonies, which communication I
can do in favor OF Cuba and In the performance OF
my duty beyond the sacrifice OF my personal sympa-
thies ana anecuonsY am determined 70 Iunl the
orders which may come from the government OF Ma
drid-the government OF the Duke de IL Tore, the
government OF General SerranO. l have received
this island as part and parcel Of the nation, and
will deliver 1t back such. because my honor rises
to the very throne OF God. To do good to Cuba nei
ther meetings OF the people nor freedom OF the press
are necessary What you are asking OF me now Is
just what is being asked by the people under arms
In the eastern department OF the island. Why
do you not appoint two commissioners to ask the
insurrectionists to lay down their armsf Why
does not FL Pals newspaper energetcally reprobate
the insurrectonary movementf But ! have the
power to check and punish both the revolutionists
In that department and the agitators here"
Tie severity OF this language was increased by q
fierce gesture and the passionate tone with which 1t
was uttered, to the bewilderment OF the gentlemen
who called upon the Captain General for the good Of
the country, and VINO withdrew nom his presence
bitterly disappointed.
such are IN plain English, the details Of the inter-
view which took place. as above stated, between the
autocrat of Cuba and several citizens OF that for
merly lever faithful" but now, thanks TO Heaven,
reDelous island. -sr MH