The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-21
FIRST EDITION N
CUBA AND SPAIN.

The Spanish Government are buying metallic
cartridges in this country with which 10 XIII anu
main the patriots OF Cuba The Union Metallic
Company at East Bridgeport Conn, are now at
work on an order from Madrid for ten millions of
these cartridges to nc the Berdan breech-loadng
musket. The extent OF this commission has rem
dered necessary the construction of dozen new
furnaces by the help of which the whole Spanish
order can be filled in three months, the daily pro-
suction being loOO We ] tag Ra aaG aFe gnu .s
70 put down the Cubans, shall the latter be denied
access to our workshops, foundries, and manuiac-
tories OF weapons and ammunition? By no means.
II the foes OF Cuba are to procure here the material
of war, we must sell 1t to her defenders also. But
the best way would be to deny IL to the Spaniards
altogether and furnish It to the Cubans freely, with
the OF safely landing it on the island so that
there will be no doubt about its being made useful
ss ssu. those '0r whose OSn'n' u was ''''nO'"N T.
Eh Ss s Xsg SI e-s
The New York Herald prints in its Washington
correspondence this morning the following:-
From information that reaches me to-day 1t would
seem that the real views of Secretary Fish on the
Cuban question have not been properly understood.
The information comes TO me from such source
as 10 leave no doubt OF its reliability II is briefly
this. The moment Senor Roberts, the spanish Min
ister in this country obtained information leading
him to believe that hostile expeditions were being
lifted out in certain of our ports for the assistance OF
Fish, with u view to obtaining an explanation.
Secretary Fish granted the Minister formal inter-
view, during which Senior Roberts narrated all the
particulars within his knowledge "a To hibustering
preparations in this country, and concluded 10y re-
spectfuy demanding that the United States Gov
rcan citizens from engaging in such unlawful enter
prises under certain pains ana penalties. Senor
Roberts suggested that the proclamation might be
modelled on that issued by President Fillmore in
1851, as the expeditions being fitted out now were
similar in character to those denounced at that time
by the American Executive
senor Roberts stated that he was about to prepare
written statement that would partake more OF an
Official character than conversation ana when
completed he would take occasion to present 1t To
the Secretary of State with the expectation OF re-
ceiving a formal written answer. secretary Fish
listened very attentivey to the close OF SenOr
Roberts statement and then delivered his answer.
He opened by remarking that the honorable repre-
sentative OF Spain might spare himself the trouble
OF preparing written demand for the PRONUNCIATION
OF an notwithstanding proclamation by our Govern
ment
all the circumstances of the case to decline then and
there on the part of Government, to advise the
President of the United States to issue any such pro-
camation. In his opinion there was no similarity
between the condition of affairs that led to the issu
ing OF President Fillmores proclamation and the
existing condition of affairs in Cuba. At that time
there evidence of internal dlSsenslon In cuba;
the people Of that island were not in arms against
Spain and the efforts to stir up revolutionary CON
test seemed to have their birth and sustenance i'll
countries outside of Cuba itself
Therefore it proper to arrest the departure of
armed bands from our shores, settng out win the
avowed object of stirring up the fires OF revolution
in the possessions Of a country with which we were
the most friendly terms. Now, however, the CON
dtion il almost entirely the reverse; the Cubans
have not only originated themselves an armed re-
sistance to Spanish rule, but they have organized
working government and maintained themselves LII
the field against the power of their former governors
Under such circumstances the United States would
not be justified in issuing proclamation OF the char
acter required 1t could not dcnounce men who
voluntarily might go to aid Il people struggling for
their independence as adventurcrS for plunder and
robbery. This is substantially the answer of MIR.
Fish to senor Roberts; me latter wa Was very agy
much surprised S r6nahty at S cer some nc dnol nSe
matte evasive reply, but had not looked for so
prompt and pronounced declaration OF policy
tomary however, for trained diplomats to keep COOL
swallow their wrath, and retire with expressions OF
the most distinguished esteem and consideration.
Senior Roberts was diplomat enough not to omit this
part of his training assuring Secretary tlsh OF ms
profound esteem, etc. He begged 10 take his leave,
declaring again his intention TO make written de-
mand on our Government for an antl-hloGsterlng I
proclamation. Accordingly secretary FISH soon
after received from the Minister demand of this
kind, with a request to answer. nave lhiorlnauoh
that Secretary sn wrep nd IN y Ss nS waS se
to issue the required proclamation on the part OF the
Government.
The Spanish Minister ,Alarmed Wants to
At another interview between Senior Roberts and
Secretary Fish, the latter called attention TO he pro-
camation OF General Dulce, declaring that all YES
sells captured in Spanish waters or IN the seas near
Cuba, with men, arms, and munitions OF war on
cordg to the articles of war, irrespective of their
points OF departure destination. such procla-
nation said Secretary Fish, is in violation OF wei
known principles of international law, and must be
protested against by the American Government
Senor Roberts remarked that me ProciainsGon fc.
would not be enforced and that, there
fore, no mischief would come OF it,
Secretary Fish replied tnat lhat explanation
would not satisfy the United states government
The Spanish Governor of Cuba had taken "a step in
violation of recognized international law, reversing
PRINCIPLES and practices having the sanction OF all
civilized nations. The United States Government
felt called upon to demand the revocation of that
proclamation Senior Roberts assured Mr.. Fish he
would hasten TO acquaint his Government with the
wishes OF the United States the subject The result
has been that In this in all the other cases BEFORE
the Spanish Government has backed down. Senor
Roberts teegraphed to Madrid for instructions, and
received in reply authority to repudiate Duces pro-
clamation, which decision has been communicated
TO our Government. But OF the efficient features
Of the conferences between Fish and Roberts re-
mains to be told. 1t seems that when Senior Roberts
learned that fleet of ron-clad vessels OF war were
being got in readiness for service some place or
other he went TO Secretary Fish Ia ask an eXpana-
ton Mr.. Fish frankly informed him that the YES
ses were intended for duty in the West India waters
'Well, but what Is the meaning OF such u large
neet?n inquired the alarmed minister.
awe are sending fleet there, replied FISH, ITO
enforce and protect the rights and persons OF every
American citizen. President Grant desires tnat every
American, at home or abroad, shall oe shielded from
violence and outrage"
The Spanish Minister retired, not precisely under
standing whether Fish meant war or not. III Is dut
10 Mr.. Fish TO add that the credit OF ordering
these naval preparations is his lie was the nrst u
advise the President to send a fleet to the Cubal
waters.
THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.