The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1869-09-15

There has been greet deal pub.
lished lately concerning the Degotia-
tions inaugurated by Minister Sickles
with the Spanish government for the
set! lcmcnt of the Cuban difficulty but
it appears from official documents on
file III the State Department. that very
much Of it is mere speculation aud
most of it wide of the mark. The
original proposition presented to Re-
gent Serrano and his Cabinet sets forth
that "whereas there is now prevailing
in the island Of Cuba devastating
war, destructive of life and property
and iniluical to the interests Of trade
aud commercial the United States in the
interests Of humanity and with view
to bring the sanguinary struggle to a
close offer their services as media
tor" The proposition submitted by
General Sickles was in the following
terms -
lst-The Spanish government il to
acknowledge the independence of Gu
ba without conditions.
2d--The Cubans are to indemnify
Spain for the Spanish property on the
island, such as castles, arsenals, forts,
custom houses and other public build.
ings. The aggregate amount Of in
| identification, however, 10 not to ex-
cced $l00, ,0OU,000.
3d-Slavery is to be abalished on
tho island.
4th-As soon as these propositions
are accepted by both parties hostili-
ties are to cease, and the United States
government will guarantee the fulfil
ment of the agreement to both par
ties.
About two weeks ego Secretary
Fish received despatch by cable
from General Sickles, which was the
reply Of the Spanish government to
the above propositions. After stating
that Spain accepted the mediation Of
the United States, aud thanking our
government for the intcrposition of
its good Offices for the settlement of
the difficulty between Spain and the
"Ever Faithful Isle," the despatch
goes on to say that in lieu of the ba-
sis Of settlement proposed by the
United States Spain offers the follow
ing
lst-The Cubans to lay down their
arms.
2d-Spain to grant q general am
nesty to the insurgents.
3d-Cuba to pay Spain for all the
Spanish property on the island and
for all the property of loyal Spaniards
destroyed by the insurgents.
4th-Suffrage to be granted to all
tho population of tho island, so that
the people may have an opportunity
to decide whether they will remain
with Spain, or whether they prefer to
be separate and independent.
5th-Spain will guarantee full pro-
lection to suoh of the insurgents as
may be selected to come through the
lines Of the Spanish army, for the
purpose of treating with the repre-
sentatives of the Spanish government
for settlement on the basis of these
propositions.
6;h-The United States to guaran-
tee to Spain the payment of Cuba's
proportion of the public debt.
In reply 10 the above Secretary
Fish sent despatch by cable stating
that the government of the United
States was glad to know that Spain
accepted it's mediation IN the difficult
ty which had arisen between Spain
and Cuba. Inasmuch as the attempt
at negotiation for settlement had
been thus far successful ne trusted
the Spanish government would deem
it to be for it's best interests to accept
the proposition offered by Minister
Sickles. Mr.. Fish in this despatch
!, made no ullusion to the substitute
presented by Spain, may be regarded
as q refusal on the part Of our govern.
ment to accept it or indeed to take
any notice of it. The representatives
of the Cubans in this country have
already signified to Mr.. Fish that un.
der no circumstances will they accept
the proposition Of Spain. So far as
they are eonossssa tbs bss;s Of sett!ee
ment submitted by General Sickles is
their ultimatum. Since the reception
of Spain's substitute and the reply OF
Secretary Fish thoreto about half O
dozen kilograms have passed between
Minister Sickles and Secretary Fish.
They are merely advisory of the stu.
alton, however, and report no materi.
al progt ess. Judging from their con.
tents Mr.. Fish is Of opinion that Spain
will ultimately accept tho original
proposition offered by the United
States. II appears that recently Ser.
rano, as well as majority Of his
Cabinet, are convinced that the wisest
and best thing for them to do is te
take the Cubans at their word and gel
the hundred millions, Of which poor
Spain standsfso much in need. The
trouble is, however, that heretofore
the Spanish people have been kept ir
profound ignorance as to the true pro
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