The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-12

It is matter of record that the revolution
airy Government of Spain was much perplexej
by the Cuban revolt. They perceived that,
according to the principles of their own revo-
luton the Cuban people we're entitled to
autonomy if they declared for it. They de-
sired to avoid the undertaking to reduce the
Cubans to subjection. They freely expressed
this sentiment TO Mr.. Sickles when he in
formally rendered the mediation and good
offices of our Government. We have before
published extracts from Mr.. Sickles de.
spatches showing all this. They we're anxious
to get rid of the contest, and at the same
time to save their own credit and the pride
of the people of Spain by refusing any nego-
tiation with rebels in arms.
They virtually offered to shove Cuba into
the hands of our Government, only stipu-
lating for some formal provisions that need
not have placed any obstruction in the way,
if met in the same spirit. Had the President
been willing to assume but part of the re-
sponsibility in negotiating with Spain that
he has assumed in the negotiations with the
questionable government of San Domingo,
he could have had the destinies of Cuba
placed in his hands, either to settle the terms
of Cuban independence, or to have brought
in the ulterior plan of annexation. And it
may be remarked that if the acquisition of q
West India island were desirable to the
United States, Cuba, in respect to all it's con-
ditions, would be far the most desirable
The Spanish Ministers did not talk of
money. They spoke of principles. Mr.
Sickles, by instructions from the administra-
ton, first introduced the proposition of pay
ment. And when General Prim inquired how
much, he stated one hundred millions as
what he thought would willingly be paid. 1t
was q proper offer to make, if we were nego-
tiating for ourselves, but an improper one to
make for the Cuban revolutionists. Mr.
Sickles went provided with a letter of in
structions to read to the Government of
Spain, offering mediation, and conveying a
menace that if not accepted the United States
Government would be compelled to recognize
Cuban belligerency. He first saw the minis
ters informally, and found them more willing
than he expected, and that they would be glad
to place Cuba in our hands,
The President had laid down basis of
negotiations. The Ministers excepted to this,
but stated another basis which they would
accept if offered. This would have made our
Government master of the situation. The
President rejected this, and insisted on carry
ing it out on his line The feature that was
principally Objectionable to the Spanish Gov
ernment in this, was that it required a virtual
recognition of Cuban independence as a
starting point, and that Spain should nego-
tiate directly with rebels in arms The coun-
ter proposition made by Spain was entirely
reasonable and practicable. But it was re-
jected, and 80 our unfortunate mediation
terminated. Mr.. Sickles, who had hitherto
conducted all this by informal Conversations
now presented his letter of instructions. The
menace contained in it got abroad, and SO
incensed the Spanish people that the Minis
ters asked him to withdraw the letter, and he
did so.
Having thus muddled the matter, there
seems to be no way for us but to keep our
hands out of it. We have lost our opportunity
for doing anything with Spaiu. We have no
occasion nor right to confer any status of bel
ligerency on Cuba. The only honorable
course for us is to maintain our laws, and lei
Spain and the Cubans fight it out, and if the
Cubans successfully resist the attempt OF
Spain to reduce them to allegiance, they will
owe Spain nothing. And what with the
Cuban bonds they have had to sell very chear
for supplies and those they have distributed
very generously in this country to influence
debt will be quite large enough withou
adding to it anything for purchase money.
The report to a false newspaper at New
York that the Spanish Government propose
to cede Cuba to the Spanish volunteers 70
one hundred millions, and that the admins
tration countenances it, is utterly foolish
And so is the report that parties are workin,
to prevent Congress from recognizing Cubal
belligerency until they can blackmail tn
Cuban agents. The parties raising this cr
are the blackmailers, who have received Cubal
bonds on pretense that they could infuenc
public opinion and legislation, and who ar
urging recognition in order to give som
value to their bribe.