The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-21

6ttTCtdfy FISH, ANuftSSFU q
tlcn 70 Minister Roberts. calling attention TO the
CAPTAIN Generals proclamation Of July Z, az to the
rights claimed over vessels OF the United States on
the high seas under treaty OF 1876, &C. 1t assumes
power the commerce Of the United states that
can only be permitted in time ofwar. The United
states wall not yield the right TO carry conlraband
OF war ia time OF peace; viii not permit their
vessels TO DE interered with on the high seas except
In time Of war. TIE treaty OF 1890 confers no
rights over vessels OF the United States IN time OF
peace. II Spain Is Ut war II should 90 known, In
order tnat notice DE immediately given OF the re-
OF tine United States. Mr. Fish asks whether Spalu
recognizes state Of war - existing and states
that the continuance OF the decree or an attempt TO
enforce IL VIII be regarded rs recognition by Span
OF . state OF war with CuDa.
the modification OF the Governor Generals decree Of
July as to the search OF vessels on the nigh seas;
the coner Of the war with more Runanity 'o'
Minister Sckles. August II, to Secretary Fish.
communicates his conversation with the Spanish
Minister, saying:-"rne Minister, lnterruptlng me,
as II he Thoughts mad gone quite lar enough-for
the present at least acknowledged the sincere ana
legal manner An which the government OF the
United States mad fulfilled us International
duties IN regard to the Cuban msurrect0n. In
former days. when the pro-savery party held the
To time lest the fecklessness OF nlbusters should
involve the two nations in difficulty; but since the
victory OF the national cause the aborinG people Of
SPAN have come to regard the UnIei States as
ther national friend The common quesIon was
oDa OF the utmost gravity ana delcacy. It was the
iAsention OF the Spanish liberals, who initiated and
executed the revolutionary movements which nave
given " SpAlu It's new pOlticul illcs W make
at the earliest moment provision for guarantee
Ing self-government TO Cuba; but this fatal
was becoming possiSe 70 Civ" % cupa a the r,uhs
she desired. The cry OF death TO Spanlardsn was
heard Ia Spain and 1t became Impossible in the face
OF civi war 70 carry out the benecent plan they had
formed The liberal party IN spain pnds Itself, to ls
own INFINITE regret forced TO a seeming sympathy
with the revolutionary party OF Cuba, and the liD-
erals OF Cuba VINO ought to be It's frm friends are
converted by tue fatality OF the situation lnlO It's biz
teIest enemies. There Is no sentiment dearer to
OF ireeJom 10 all men," yet they showed before the
world IN this Cuban conflict as opposed TO serg0v-
ernnent and resisting the abolition Of slavery. He
considered the insnrrection rs most deplOrable
misfortune and mistake both for Cuba and Spain.
In such manner as to do justice TO Cuba without
ffinging upon the honor Of Spain the government
y 20 me Of Uebs = 1 op ana o
or desire among the liberals OF SPAN ever
slavery system. 1t mas been TIER constant wish
80 grant the Cubans tile administration OF their own
AFFAIRS and the full favor or their own liberty, pre-
serving their commercial connecuon and some
shadow OF their political relations.
Minister Slckles 10 Secretary Fish, August H. en-
closes article los OF the spanish constitution about
upon Cuba TIL Cuban deputies arrive at the Cortes.
Minister Sickes also communicates August co. q
conversation he mad with General Prim, IN which
the latter said VITA great earnestness and emphas
Let the United States be assured Of the good faith
and The good disposition OF Spaln Formidable as
the Dsurrectlon may become it has not yet reached
the proportions OF any of those conflicts In which
governments have found themselves constrained to
HehL curing UOsIIllle5. Inc CuDhu insurgents lOlu
no city or fortress. Tney have no pori, no ships.
They have no army. They 40 not presume to oler
or accept svs battle .a ana now before the
Spain VIII send tho ample reiniorcements
the holds In readiness, it Is only necessary for
the Cubans TO accept the assurance OF the United
states given on the faith OF SPAN that they may
have Their independence by laying down their arms,
elecng their oepuly and declaring tpcr right to be
Tree by a vote OF the peope.N
Minister Siokles again writes to Secretary Fish,
August 2l:-"ihe President or the Council SAID there
ia ~
III Cnba and the Revolutionary movements by winch
the republics OF the American Continent gained
were resolted to after campaigns had been
fought and battles lost ana gained They
had armies IN the held and organized governments
supporting them. We see nothing OF this IN Cuba.
Only mere rowing bands, who fly when they ara pur-
sued aud have never been found Ia number sufficient
to gave or accept battle. ii is very possible that in
The lapse 0f time the Instruction may become more
formidable 1t may RAISE armies it may take cities
and fortified towns, It may demonstrate what II mas
not before demousJrateu-that 1t is supported BY q
majority VI the population. In that Spain will
have something tangible TO treat with. But we hope
10 avoid all this boodshed, disorder ana ruin by
making some amicaple arrangements now.n
Minister sickles to Secretary Fish, August "a,
saya-"ln general ind less susceptibility TO the
,nau 70 concess,on the Independence Of CUBA.
There Il an apprehension that the persons and prop
erty OF the Spanlards IN Cuba would not be safe
under Cuban contro. This Impression, hear, pre-
MIR. RobeNs to Mr.. Fish, September H. submits
various considerations and arguments against what
IL
United states 70 accord belngerent rights to Cuban
insurgents.
Mr.. Fish replies, under date Of October 10, and
after stating that Mr.. Roberts, letter was not re-
ceived until september 25 when just leaving Wash
ington, says:-"it might be sufficient answer to
say that no intention to grant belligerent rights
has been announced. IL Is q more perfect
answer 20 say that no such intention has
pleased that Mr. Roberts draws his authorities nom
the history and the statesmen OF The United States
and reminds him that spain conceded beigereucy
n .lfal5
on sumter The United States had elo-
guentiy demonstrated, IN The interest Of
the Cuban Conflict is waged The present resent
state or affairs cannot be indefinitely prolonged and
the Untef States reserve the right OF future acton.
unlawful expeditions IN MD Of the cuban Insurgents
have been planned, and one succeeded; but the
United states has always been ready TO act on III
formation furnished by Mr.. Roberts, and has acted
erroneous.
Minister Sickles telegrapns to Secretary Fish, Sep
tember rs, that tue volunteers to be disbanded
on the cessation OF hostiiities, scandaous execa-
tons to DO stopped, slavery 70 be gradually abol-
waieing Tor fbe termination OF the war.
Mr.. Davis, September 8, transmits the substance
Of Sickies' telegram 10 Mr.. Plumb, and instructs
him TO inquire into ana report on the same.
Mr.. Plumb to Mr.. Davis october u, reports that he
does not think the disarmament OF the volunteers
practicable, and sees no intention 70 cease host.
ties before the instruction Is suppressed. The
rulers In Cuba desire TO stop the eiason OF blood,
and the general opinion Is that abolition should be
dve years.
mass Of correspondence IL given relating TO the
decree of the Governor General cOncerni6g passen-
ger vessels and Its modification procured by Mr.
Plumb
Minister Sickles, ON October 49, transmitted to
Secretary Fish . copy OF decree according liberty
OF worship In Cuba; also copy OF Silvela's note de-
string the President to use ms influence with Cuban
refugees TO secure q less savage character to the
war; and to release the Spanish gunboats which are
neither intended to operate against Peru nor CUBA,
bus TO defend The coast against flibusters and
pirates.
Consul Plumb to Secretary Fish, october Is, states
that Sibanlcu, hamlet, and duaimarO village OF
sos Inhabitants are the only places occupied by the
insurgents; and on the ID OF November informs him
that both the places have been destroyed. At the
same time Consul Plumb enclosos circular melting
the negroes to burn the estates, forwarded by the
consul 1t Matanzas and SAID by him TO have been
probably printed ~ New York.
munster Slckes Informs Secretary Fish, November
H. that DO reforms for Cuba wlii be brought forward
fha hnn IA ira aud anil