The New York herald., 1870-01-10


Scklcs, with Instructions that ne should read them
to the Secretary OF Foreign Anars for SPAN. Just
about this time the rebellion showed signs OF in
creasng strength In Cuba and the moment for nego-
tlations was deemed opportune. About Tho same
time also sckles was directed to Institute negoiia.
tlons Tor the purchase OF Cuba by our government.
Sckles did not fully carry out his instructions
these points, and In failing to do so he Is considered
to have made great, though the only, mistake since
his appointment He was directed 10 send the propo-
stons OF Secretary Fish to the Spanish government
Instead OF doing so ne sought an interview with
Siivela and Informed him what we proposed as the
basis Of agreement
A discussion OF q friendly character took place at
this interview between SicAles and siveln during
which the latter expressed the opinion thar indls
pensaole condition precedent OF treating with the IN
sagents ought to DO the lavng down OF their arms by
the Cuhans. II lftaeater would consent to this conii.
ton then Spain would be willing to allow the ques-
ton ofthe independence or cnoa to be decided by
tho votes OF the people OF tn, island. uas
sicklee communicated this ana some other propo-
sitons 10 Sec;etnry Fish. The latter refused for
moment to enterain tho lrst or second propositions
For the CEbans 70 lay down their arms, he thought
woulu be expecting TOO much, In view Of the fact
that the Spaniards would have their volunteers and
regulars In full force on the Island. Then what q
mockcry would any election be for tho Cubans under
such circumstances! How could tney vote In the
face OF intimidation and armed surveil'a ances Mr.
Fish declined tine propostions, therefore, and IN
structed Sckles to insist upon the original basis a.
the only thar would be entertained either by the
CuDans or the United States.
\ Sickies did this, and the negotiations were pro-
crossing favorapIy after the consideration and re-
lection Of o variety OF terms, when the Republican
6Dieuie occurred Ia spain. ms ff#s ..o.
The potcai condition Of spain at this juncture
was alarming The people were split up into several
parties. There was the de JdctO government party,
the Carsts the republican party, the Church party
and the adhercnts OF three tour more, leu by men
ambition, to vault INTO supreme power. The tlrst Of
these was antagonzed by all the rest Prim and
Serrano had q r,e 10 play that called for all the
skill and daring tney possessed.
Sckies. ike snrewd diplomat comprehended
the situation. Seeing that the different Spanish
factions would avail themselves OF the negotiations
for purchase OF cuba tn make political capital he
teisgraphed here asking for discretionary powers
the matter OF the negotiations. aad 70 b. allowed. II
necessary In his Judgment, 70 withdraw our offer OF
friendly oflces
Secretary Fish promptly answered this despatch,
granting all the discretion to Minister Scglcs taat
he mlqht require.
In the meantime Rawins had. by his enthusiastic
mEistration hero TO instruct Schles to inform tho
Spanish government that unless spain should con-
sent 10 sell Cuba to the United States within ten
days we would De constrained to acknowledge the
independent republic Of cuba.
, When Slchles received this startling despatch he
tholrht It was tine to submlt Fi'hs four original
=. ,syela. lie, therefore, wrote note
= ,ns.fr,,ana.'., -, ~nsitons, ana received
G,,.
the American basis Of settlement. TIM
was as follows:-- sf a8
Eira--Absou,e disarmament Of the Cuban revolu-
ttouary army, wv
secasa- lndcmnncation to s.sain for all the
Spanish prOperty destroyed on the island, to be
guaranteed by tue Ua!ted 'p,s. VN pt
TaUa-The people OF Cusl 10 be allowed TO vote
freely the question OF separation from Spaia aud
Iui piotection 10 bo granted TO sucn CuDlns a3
might he seat 10 treat with the spanish authorities
F3Wt's-A general amnesty to be granted 70 tho
insurgents Nf e 1920 4fN
Sickcs thercupon wrote note to Silyela with
drawing tender or friendly officers, but not with
drawing the note containing Fish'5 tour proposi-
tions Sicges felt he had no authority 10 withdraw
the proposed pasls OF settlement, although he had
iul license to withdraw not In his direction. the
tender O our friendly o.iices
THIS errec,ualy dsposes Of the oft-repeated
ton that spain rejected our oIier Of mediation. The
fact Is we never offered to mediate" 30 10 speak
|
them OF our own volitl0n. 4se
But though the Spanish newspapers teemed with
announcements OF our alleged withdrawal OF ten-
der OF mediation the Spanish govern nent never
once denied them or cndeavored to act the public
mind right on the subject. This greatly annoyed
bolli SicxIes and Fish a#
In despatch you published yesterday let you
into OF the Cabinet resolve to dcmaud the
sale Cuba within fixed period recognize the
infant republic need not therefore repeat that,
as still be fresh In the minds OF your readers.
| PRESENT STATUS OF THE QUESTION.
con only add now that The question Is In about
TINS state at the present writing. Both Prlm and
Serrano are in favor OF selling us Cuba, and know
that Sckles has assurances OF that kind Pilm and
Serfano are only AFRAID OF the unsettled state OF
| affairs in their country
We're there only some strong government cstab-
lshed In Spain, IL matters not whether the Prim or
the Scrrano faction might be In cotrol there exists
no doubt that IN very short lime negotiations
would be reopened ana result In transferring the
sever faithful to the free republic Of the
United States.
BY the way how unexpectedly my despatch to you
the other day about the conspiracy OF the Serrano
partsans to make that veteran almost q king has
been verified. The very next day cable telegram
nom Madrid announced the fact, and also the rcslg
sou ces OF information are perfectly reliable.
FISH NOT AyERsE I'd TIE PUBLICATION or HIS COR
REsroSDENcE ABOUT CUBA.
Now as to another point. IL Is q mistake to sup
pose that Secretary Fish Is avcrse TO having all the
| correspondence abou, Cuba gwen to the public.
so far as lie is personally concerned he considers
| that publication at this time would not be damag-
log himself the administration. But there ara
strong reasons why he should not consent TO their
Publication yet. The principal reason Is that no
one can tell yet what may be the result OF the pre-
sent complicated state Of AFFAIRS In Spain He feels
assured that should either Prm or Serrano succeed
| our negotiations for the purchase Of Cuba would
/ be reopened with every probability Of speedy con
summation favorable 70 Our wishes. But prema
turc publication l.st now might have the aleet o
raising such clamor in Spain o. to awese from th'
| pollt.cas tlcid both Serrano and Prm, and cs--
= nne pledged to res.. Tho sa,a - c,.,
/ power some terns ~ " Sup'
| Ia nurU