The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-24
SPAIN.

Major General SicizIes and Cuhn--The Course
OF Diplomacy in IIa9rid-Gcnernl Sicklcs'
Tact aud Mode Of OceedinE-.The Herald
Correspondents Interview with the Ninis-
ter-Thc Forbes Mission s5tary-Sickles a
sss,nd Ou:en'.-Opinions of the Press-The
No.e.
MADRID. sept. o. 1869.
MAJOR General Daniel E. siekles possesses State
diploma TO carry on negotiations according TO fixed
pr,ncpes OF the diplomatic scboCl With Spain either
lor the concession Of the island of Cuba 10 the
United States Tor certain moneys for the ameliora-
ton OF the condition Of the Cubans now In arms
against Spain with an ultimate view Of recognizing
their delinquency when fair opportunity presents
ITSELF and to Inform the government OF the United
states OF his opinions concerning SPAIN her posses
sons and prospects, &c. The possession Of this
document-ths State diploma-entities HIM 10
the name OF ambassador and ambassa-
dor or representative OF his government he
has been recognized by the Spanish authorities,
Tast he has been busy collecting all Information re-
garding Spain every one may we'll guess; that he
has sounded all sorts and conditions Of people for
cher Is equally certain; that he has furnished
Sscretary FISH with abundant data for the forna-
ton OF that genteman's Judgment is a self-evident
truth. Whatever secretary Fish may do IN cOnnec-
ton with Spanish affairs may be said to have been
the result the opinions and views entertained by
General Sckles, his agent
The vicarious functions performed by the repre-
sentative OF great newspaper, with its hundred
thousand readers, may be said to be analogous TO
those performed by any OF secretary Fish's agents.
The newspaper representative and the State diploma
holder or ambassador may both be considered ss
privileged SPIES one collatcs news for his news
paper the other coates news for the Secretary OF
State, one represents the great public, the other
ppa man roy ern n Ia n.
pens sometimes that these two representatives
come together. The FIRST If efficient, must pay
his respects 10 the second; the latter need
not stir from his chair OF ease to receive
the journalist. Circumstances arise often whereby
the ambassador regards the journalist with jealous
eye. Affairs OF importance may engage the ambss.
sador--a secret negotiation, treaty intrigue which
1t behooyes the Journalist to trace out and transmit
to MS pape early intelligence Of but which the
ambas sador Is loath 10 mpart, his reputation o.
dipOmatist might be ruined by premature divulga-
tion or a too gIaring exposure.
According to the real technical European delni-
ton of a diplomat America cannot boast OF having
any. but 1t mas clever lawyers and talented men TO
trusted. one OF these clever talented mon is General
Slckles. file has been here In Madrid some Two
months. and, as heralded on some important, wis mis-
ever the nature OF The mission mas not transplred
but the nv.di0us enlargement OF Span1ards pos
sessed OF ultra Espan0lismo believe II nnaclous Il
the interests and honor OF spain. The spanish press
have been hating between two opinions since oul
new Minister'S arrival, are often verging an expio
son, upon giving utteraDoe TO their doubts and
ieais and denouncing Sickies, his mission and Hi
country; but the apparent hesitancy Of the mlnste
rial organs to pronounce have hitherto checked tht
more Emphatic journals, and then the extreme
courtesy aud seeming candor Of General Sickies
have sadly nonplussed the poor. hard driven Span
isrds Twice was your correspondent tempted e
see the General, TO satisfy doubts that would arise
in spite OF what he had already told me, bIuntiy
cSudidiy, that there was not word OF truth IN th.
reports aHoat concerning his mission. The follow
mt dialogue occurred upon first introduction be
tween General Sickles and myself
General" SAID !, striving to appear as diplomatic
ns possible in his presence are these reports OF TIL
Ep3ca and correspondence trier'
"what reportsr he asked, with q dplomati
Affectati0n thought
''Fhe EDoea reports that you have come here Z
0pea negotiations for the concession OF CUBA To th