The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-06
S P A ! N :.
S r a N
General Siokles' Diplomacy on
81 the Cuban Question.
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Spanish Ministerial Banquet and tho Colonial
Case Talked Over" Quietly.
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Position Of Prim and President
RiverO.

POSltlOn OF Frlm anu HrcSl0enC
RiverO.
BY mail from Europe we have the following special
correspondence from Madrid In important detail OF
the progress Of the United States diplomacy on the
Cuban question. az conducted BY General 6lcklcs
with the Spanish Cabinet, and the gradual approach
Of the Ministry consideration OF the points OF the
American note which c0ptemplates the acquisition
Of the island by sale or transfer.
Tho Cuban Question In Spain and Proposed
American nIediation-What 10 Said Of the
Sickles Note and Its Withdrawal-Belli-
gcrent Rshts-Presidcnt Rlvors and tho
United States Ministcr- What tho Engllsh
Think-Old F0gyism-The Ex.Queen's Abdt-
catiOn-The Bishop OF Havana.
AADRID. Nov. 10, 1869.
short time ago all the Spanish papers rose up in
arms and carried on quite warfare against the
United States respecting the proposed mediation In
the painful question OF Cuba. The DOns talked
large, imagined their national PRIDE wounded their
self-sulicency doaote1, and consequently refused
any kind Of interference even from their vel known
friends, the Americans; but Sckles' diplomatic note
had no sooner been withdrawn when the Spaniards
began 20 feel that they had made q mistake, an
that the friendly Offices Of the United States ought
not to have been sighted. but rather courted. Sem
slble loug-slghted politicians began to reject, and
soon saw that Ease and, consequently unsafe, step
had been taken. They took into consideration thas
the United States Congress would soon meet and
most likely would recognize the Cubans a. beiger-
ents for the great republic would refuse to consent
to o barbarous ana exterminatng warfare being
carried on for an indefinite length Of time at their
faA Or A. IN,
an end to the bloody warfare, both from humane
motives and for tho purpose Of protecting their
commercial interests. =.
. The Spaniards know full well that II the United
States once recognize the Cubans as Delligerents
Cuba would be lost to them for ever, and most
likely not CUBA alone
The following which copy from one Of the
Spanish papers, show pretty " eli the Spanish view
OF the matter. 1t Is headed 'The Cuban question:
and reads thus:-
Our correspondence from the United states in
forms uS that The Idea OF friendly medlatlOl. Tor
the purpose OF putting an end to the iaulentable
war III Cuba, has not been altogether abandoned ny
the Cabinet Of washington. Although tae span sh
government declined THIS intervention OF rover
friendly, nevertheless foreign when 1t was presented
with conditions which Spain thought contrary W
her riguts and interests the United states appear.
ing not to have been influenced by any ambitious,
nlucn less hostile view towards our country, have
thought that by modifying the form OF tnls media
ton they might stlli contribute 70 tue welfare OF
SPAN aud our brethren In CuDa THIS beneht, IN
the nrst place. would be to the United states for We
that country suffers by the prolongauon Of such
disastrous war: Our Antilles lorm tue great
States, and It's sA pacinoat,on is almost idenSi
cal for both nations. II there be founded
hope Of not meeting repulse-whicn nations That
respect eacn utner are not expected tO-the CabneG
OF washington WI oer Its good offices to procure
the pacllicaIon OF the Island OF CUBA IN manner
that sali In no way prejudice The rights AID inter-
esls of Spain. We, that from the commencement
were favorable 70 the Idea Of friendly mediation.
ike those winch most nations have admitted ike
occaslOns cannot now reject those good Otfices n
they were offered, we hope they were VITA noble
Tor the humane purpose OF terminating q irairclde
war; Two considerations lead us principally 70
adopt this attitude Tae rss most imp"ras IN
Is daily losing ground, aud spain having sent con-
siderable iand and sea reinforcehents, Win which
there are sulcient elements 70 crush the reDei0n,
1t cannot be attributed by any one 70 want OF
strength Whatever CONCESSIONS we may make TO
those whom we cannot but consider Is sons OF the
Europe, alter the first impression. chiefly caused
by the unhappy state OF Or country, having ateiy
felt certain that spain sulclent to paCify the
Island Cuba would not see In our acceptance VI the
oer OF the United states out proof OF difference the
fruit OF sincere desire to cultivate anu n0urisn the
good feeling has existed for the last century be-
tween the great republic and the nation That dis
covered America and whose merits are more prefer.
abe than any other European Power IN the word
The second consideration, still more important rs
the strength that che news OF perfect, friendly
feeling existing between Spain and the United states
would give 70 the cabinet OF Washington. IN de-
Tending IN Congress the policy OF loyal friendship
which it has shown towards our country during the
Cuban war; II the Chamber meets III December under
the impression shat spain has repelled all friendly
Of United STATES, and the ar IN greater
Or less proportion continues Ia the Island OF Cuba,
there would great danger Of the Congress insist
Ing on the recognition OF the Cuoans a. oelgerents
have passed between the two governments anu
Judge the matter i.selr. But II the profered good
offices be admitted, this danger Will ut once dIsap-
pear and Will be impossible Tor the ministers
or President Grant to prevent the question from
being vehemently agitated In the Congress OF the
United States. We call the attention VI the new
Minister OF State and the Council or Ministers 70
these considerations. II our Information turn out
10 be correct and II the Cabinet OF Washington
the pacincaton OF Cuba, we should consider II u
very grave fault to ooIect provided always, that in
accepting the said good OFFICES Spain reserves to
herself liberty OF action ana the security OF the
honor and interests OF the country.
Besides the foregoing q rare occurrence took
place in the House OF Representatives that has not
only been tho subject OF conversation and specula-
tive guessing among the diplomatic corps, but all
over Madrid generally. At the close Of debate in
Congress- Rvero, the president Of the House, accom-
panied by OF the deputies went up to the dpio-
matte tribune, and after saluting General Sickes in
the most courteous manner, entered upon an earnest
ana animated conversation with that able diplomat
scarcely pay ing attention any one else. Inc AFFAIR
was 80 unusual and the attention marked as to
arlrsct the notice OF the whole house. Every eye
was nyetted upon them, every brain began to work
In coujectures and every tongue began wag What
ever could be meaning Of this unheard OF proceed.
ngs The matter was discussed In political circles,
ventured, and, perhaps, none hit near the mark;
for the subject matter Of the conversation remains
uuknown, and will continue unless Rivero lets &c
out for GENERAL SicAles Ia one OF the co,e diplo
mats have ever known.
The following day the circumstance appeared in
and