The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-01
s r A I N

General SickIes' Despntch--What tho Minis
ter Observation-Disclosures OF the Oficinl
Nofe-Tho News System In Madrid-Tele.
graphing TO the Herald Under Difficulties
Anxiety Regarding Cuba-Action of tho
Cortes mmission--Dcath OF q Princess
The Commission to Smsz;
MADRID Sept. Is. 1869.
Here we have another version OF the diplomatic
note sent by General Sickes to the State Depart
ment at Madrid. All those sent TO you already are
correct but they were but abstracts OF the letter
upon which, for tho time, your correspondent was
compelled to depend, and now. to corroborate what
has been sent and to give you fuller details send
the following, which is the American version, and
may be considered as semoillcal rendering OF the
despatch. The General writes at somewhat more
length, as follows:-
The General commenced by stating that he was
Instructed demonstrate with the Spanish govern
ment against the sad conduct OF the war in cuba,
and then procecded:-The manner In which the war
IL conducted, the horrible atrocities that are being
committed the assassinations, the cold-booded
murders, the execution OF two innocent American
citizens at Santiago de Cuba the executions OF Cuban
prisoners, who. though taken III arms were human
beings and deserved considerations; all OF these
enormities are contrary TO the spirit OF modern
civilization, and call down upon them condemnation
from America, from England from France ana all
other civilized nations. / respectfully ask you, lie
said, TO look at facts which cannot be palliated,
which tell too sad tale OF the intense misery into
which large and prosperous island, with nearly
three million Inhabitants, has been plunged by d
mode of warfare which even In the most barbarous
times would have been deemed cruel. The war has
already lasted q full year, during q large portion
OF which time the nations have been looking on,
expectant that some progress would be made
to bring 1t to an end. But how stands the case to-
day. IL Is too evident that The Spanish government
are further Off than ever from at aiming their
object Two-nrds Qf the island is In possession Of
the Cubans, many Important towns near tho sea
coast garrsoned by their troops they have well
disciplined armies In the held, with full supplies OF
the munitions Of war; and their troops are sanguine
that they can keep the field against oil the forces
spain eau bring against them. From a simple
iiisurrecton, as II has been wrongly denominated 1T
has developed into stern, determined war between
two fractions Of the same race one OF which battles
for Independence and libertY the other for possess
sion, which IL cannot maintain. These are facts,
and the peoples OF America and Europe can no
longer but credit them. Within twelve months the
Spanish government have not advanced from the
have been despatched tnlther, army after army,
fleet after feet, FOR the purpose OF sup
pressing the psbson but year mas
not been suppressed, but the Cubans are very near
the time when they must be called IN Independent
and separate nation. The recognition OF their bege-
rency Will therefore be but the recognition of an
absolute and indisputaole fact, which not all our
love Tor Spain not all our respect for the govern
ment now in power, not all our regard for political
neutrality will permit us to di5believe. The recog-
milton OF the Cubans as belgerents will be more
tthan we readily accorded to the present government
OF Spain, when, year ago. the people OF the PENN
srla rose en- tdsse against tyranny and oppression
Spaniards who have always been notorious for their
love OF liberty and hatred to deSp0tism, should not
deal hardly with their brothers In Cuba Tor they have
oeen actuated by the same feelings which prompted
the people Of the Peninsula to throw of the yoke.
When Chile rose for her independence the govern.
ment OF the United States, when 1t was evident it
could not be otherwise, was compelled to recog
nize her as D separate State, free forever
from Spanish domination. In like mannes are the
Cubans In arms to-day fighting for their liberty.
should tho Unlteu States government Withhold the
recognition to which they are enttleds There are
which have induced the government OF the United
States take this step, besides the for which
the Cuoans are 50 calamity contending, besides
their prospects OF success. The once enormous
trade and fourishing commerce Of a prosperous
island have been ruined; the entire country Is rap
idly becoming waste; the wealthy plantations, the
sources Of vast revenue, lie Idle and are depopu.
lated; many OF them have been conhscated upon
mere suspicion aud their propretors exled to Fer.
nando Pc; estates rich In cattle have been seized
upon and the mansions put to the flames; industry
Is paralyzed; many OF the best citizens have emf
grated; the bone and sinew OF the country, the
young men, tho pride or happy State, are
being destroyed In o frultless contest on one
side Tor possession, and so much is Cuba
impoverished that 1t must take century to restore
what has ruthessly been destroyed within the last
twelve months The continuation Of sucn q course,
civilization and the present enlightened age cannot
permit and the American people, who more tnan all
others profess TO love liberty and close neghbors
OF the Cubans are so loud and and united In their
demands that thler government dare not
much longer hesitate upon o course human
ity declared should have been adopted
long ago. That the American government has hest.
lated, and refrained from Intervention hitherto, IL
because 1t hoped to hear that negotiations were
be led to see the ruitessness OF continuing the
perate warfare; 1t remained neutral because the
regard Tor international obligations and the tradi-
tlonal comfy that had existed between
the two countries: But 4 must be re-
comfy, good feeling ana friendship that the
American government and people entertained for
Spain, that something is due their Cuban friends;
Inv
In America for Cuba The instincts OF the American
people for the cause OF liberty cannot be suppressed
and 1t Is now TOO evident that the government must
succumb to the popular opinion as expressed In the
press and In assemblies.
Great as spain is, powerful as she may be, sne is
further OF than ever from the contamination or her
hopes. Her treasury IL depleted, the country has
been taxed TO the utmost IN the vain EFFORT to sup
press the rebellion, and 1t Is impossible TO maintain
the struggle any longer The time Ii therefore near
when the government OF the United States must ex-
ercise the duty that humanity, CIVILIZATION the GEN.
fury, justice TO the cause IL processes, impose
upon 1t.
The government Of Spain has yet time TO dispose
or the Cuoan question honorably and satisfactorily
to Spaniards, CuDans and the world. The people OF
Cuba demand liberty; the progress they have made
shows aas they VIII SUCCEED; Some demand nde
be annexed to the United States. The American
government offers TO open negotiations towards
asoertaining the wish of the Cuban people. II they
desire libery and independence the United States
Is In duty bound to follow the course OF Peru and
the South American republics. Ii the Cubans desire
to be annexed TO tie United States the American
government Is willing to purchase the island from
Spain Tor sum OF money hereafter to be agreed
upon. Whatever decision the Spanish government
NAV arrive ~, II 1t persists in prosecuting the
war 1t must be done on humane principles, for
humanity dc ands IL. L. IL In kindly spirit that
have laid these facts before you. | have written
frankly. soldier should write to military Power,
ana a. am representative OF the government OF
the United States and OF the entire American people,
| had failed in my duty had written otherwise.
In the above may be found the truthfulest exposi-
ton OF the sentiments OF the American naton-a
clear-viewed representation Of the determination
the people OF the great republic had arrived at The
sodierly ambassador has done his work nobly,
with fearlessness and cand0r-even had the
courage to write thus explicitly directly after
his reception by the Regent hot from the
warm-hearted tertuis, his face still beaming with
peasantness from the pleasant memories OF an even
ing spent In the palace OF spanish nobleman