Evening star., 1869-09-06

SPAIN AID CUBA-THI NEGOTIATIONS OF
hiSisrRR SICKLBs-MEDIArIoN OF The
United SrATRs AcCKPrED-THE Terms PRo.
PosKD-SUBsTIrUTE OPPERED By SPAIN
CoRRIsPoNDBsCE, &c.-Data says "The origi.
nal proposition presented to Regent S.rrano
and his cabinet set forth that, whereas there ia
now prevailing in the Island OF Cupa
devastating war, destructive Of life and
property, and inimicai TO the interests Of ira de
and commerce, the United States, In the inter.
ests OF humanity, and with q view to bring sha
saDguinary struggle to q close, offer their
services as mediator.
The proposition submitted by Gen. S,crlss
was In the following terms: First the Spani n
government Is 70 acknowledge the inde.
pendence ofCuba without conditions. Sscond.
The Cueans are to indemnify Spain for the
castles, arsenals. forts, cus.om.hou and
other public buildings; the aggregate amount of
indemnihcation, however, Is not to exceed one
nunoled ~ nc million OF dollars Third, slavery is
10 De abolished on the island. Fourth, as soon
as these propositions are accepted by betn
parties, hostilIties are to cease, and the United
States government will guarantee the fulfill
ment OF the agreement to both parties
About two weeks ago Secretary Fish recei we'd
dispatch by cable from General Sickles,
which was the reply Of the Spanish govern
ment to the above proposition. After stating
that Spain accepted the mediation OF the Uni.
ted States, and thanking our government for
the interposition of its good offices for the set.
tlement Of the difhculty between Spain and
say that, in lieu Of the basis Of settlement pro-
posed by the United States, Spain offers the
following: First, the Cubans to lay down their
nesiy to the in,nrsents Third GSSs to am pav
Spain for all the Spanish property on the
island, and for all the property of loyal Span
iards DESTROYED oy the insurgents. Fourth,
suffrage TO be granted TO all the population OF
the island, so that the people may have an op.
portunity to decide whether they will remain
with Spain or whether they prefer to be sepa.
I "a and Ind
antee full protection to such of the insurgents
as may be selected to come through the lines Of
the Spanish army for the purpose Of treating
with the representatives. OF the Spanish gov
eminent for q settlement on the basis OF these
propositions. Sixth, the United States to guar
antee 20 Spain the payment Of Cuba's propor-
ton Of the public debt.
In reply TO the above, Secretary Fish sent
dispatch by cable stating that the government
OF the United States was glad to know that
Spain accepted its meditation in the difficulty
which had arisen between Spain and Cuba
1nasmuch as the attempt at negotiation for
settlement had oeen thus tar successful, he
trusted the Spanish government would deem it
to be for Its best interests TO accept the PROPOSE.
tion offered by Minister Sickles. Mr. Fish, in
his dispatch, made no alluslon to the substitute
presented by Spain. which may be regarded as
cept il, or, indeed, to take any notice of it, The
representatives Of the Cubans in this country
have already sgnified to Mr.. Fish that under
ho OS o SnsS w .ney accept the propos
basis of settlement submitted by General
Sickles Is their ultimatum.
Since the reception Of Spain's substitute and
the reply Of Secretary Fish thereto, about halt
dozen telegrams have passed bet ween Minis.
ter SIekles and Secretary Fish. They are
merely advisory of the situation, however, and
report no material progress. Judging from
their contents Mr.. Fish is OF opinion that
Spain will ultimately accept the original
proposition offered bv the United States. 1t
appears that Regent Serrano as we'll as a ma
lority OF his Cabinet, are convinced that the
wisest and best thing for them to do is to take
the Cubans at their word, and get the hundred
millions Of which poor SPAN stands so much
In need.
The trouble is, however, that heretofore the
Spanish people have been kept in profound
Ignorance as 10 the true proportions aud con.
dition Of the insurrection in Cuba. They are
led to believe through their press, which is
controlled by the Government, that the rebel
lion was Insignificant, and that in q short time
everything would be quiet and Cuba would
become once more 1.-The faithful isle" Serrano
and his counsellors are in reality afraid to re-
veal the true state of affairs, which the accept
anc Of the proposition OF the United States
would do. II Is thought, therefore, that final
action will be postponed until a King is Sc
lecied."