Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-08-14
The Project for Purchasing Uuba
from spain.

| AhVaaa - RNe4s
Havana Cor. Of the New York Tribunel
| In previous letter mention was made
OF n commission OF Cubans who had gone
over to Spain with view of sounding
the Regent and his administration for
some arrangement that might end the
contest now going on in the island. Lit
tie Importance was attached to their
movements at the time, but recent devel-
opments show that Il has attained some
part of its object. What is here related
has been derived from trustworthy sources
and il of an exceedingly important char
acter. The memsers of the commission
went TO work quietly, and, without offend
ing Spanish punctilio, arranged for con.
ference with certain leading supporters
| of the Government, and have been since,
on convenient occasions, gradually I'M
folding their plans.
The scheme most at heart with the
commission ia the purchase of Cuba by
ment. The able representative Of Cess
pedes to the government at Washington
has been fully advised of all these plans,
and Mr.. Fish was, in proper time, duly
| notified of the card that was being played
at the Court of Madrid You will re-
member that, not long since, when APP
preached by Mr.. Ruiz on the subject of
Cuba, he expressed his sympathy with
the insurgents, and said that the United
States Government was acting such
part as would best benefit ell parties.
Mr.. Fish's policy seems to have been to
see that the neutrality laws should be
faithfully executed; to give the Spaniards
fair chance to do that which was deem
ed impossible--that is to say, to recover
the island-and then the administration
at Washington could interpose its good
offices at the right moment, with all the
force of its consistency on the subject of
recognition of belligerent rights. Gene.
raj Sickles was informed as to these
diplomatic steps on the part of the Cuban
Commission, and it is supposed that he
is to work in accord with the members of |
that body now in Madrid, and in man
ner at once prudent and persevering. |
The movement of the commission is be- |
ing somewhat regarded by the Spanish
Ministry, especially since the return of
Dulce to Spain ard the late orders sent |
out to DeRodas, looking to curtail.
ment of the volunteer power, have been
partly dictated, it is aaid, with view to
preparing affairs for the contamination
OF the scheme referred to.
General DeRodas has lately been giv- !
ing decided indications Of his coptempt |
far the leaders of the volunteers, aud J
most especially of General Espinar. who
permitted himself to be ina'-.m,,e in ',he
Captain Generals cher as Dulce's sue
cessor. Various other things indicate |
that the conflict is, each day, growing to
q close, and DeRodas, or the representa-
tive OF the Government, must 90 under |
or bring to the dust the would-be leaders
and "ssviors of the island" The be-
ginning of the end may be reached on
the occasion of Espinar's departure for |
Spain, but whether 30 or not, it must |
speedily happen. Should the Governor
General 60 down in the struggle, there |
could arise nothing but the most unpre-
eedented anarchy. The "saviors of the |
island" would under no circumstances |
agree to accept another Captain General
coming from Spain and nominated by |
the present Ministry; and, on the other
hand, should DeRodas be brought into |
actual conflict with these paper warriors,
and get the advantage, there would be
such elements of disturbance that he
would be powerless to do anything. The
Captain. General knows the situation, |
and has asked of the authorities at Mad
rid concession of power, to propose
autonomy to the Cubans Failing in |
this, he evidently considers the field lost
Looking to all the surrounding circum-
stances, it is almost certain that not only
DeRodas, but Dulce, Prim, Serrano b
Co., would gladly carry out the policy
herein foreshadowed. The only real
difficulty is this: Can the present Min
istry retain power after having consented
to q sale of the islsnd2 The matter is
being discussed in the higher and better
circles here, and the project is gaining
supporters day by day. The great oppo-
sition comes from the office-holders,
whose bread and meat would then have
to be gained on the soil of old Spain. 1t
ia m ore, much more than probable. that
DeRodas will advise the government to
do as Dulce has already advised it, viz:
Sell out the island to the natives, taking
guaranty from the United States. Pub
lie opinion is undergoing change in
Spain, and it is confidently believed that
the scheme will succeed. The Spanish |
Minister, Roberts, is announced as soon
to visit the island, aad, doubtless, it is
with view of seeing what would be the
best steps to be taken with respect to this
matter.