The New York herald., 1870-07-31
o U B a.
Spanish Bank Observation-Disclosures
West Indian Cable-Improvements
on Sugar Estates-Pauclty Of
War News-Sickness.
HAVANA, July %, 1870.

HAVANA, July %, 1870.
Notice of the declaration of war between
France and Prussia reached here yesterday, and
set people thinking about the possible complica-
tlons that may result therefrom. Henceforth the
insurrection in Cuba will probably receive less
attention from readers of Northern journals. The
war OF the giants will throw it into the shade.
The extreme heat with its lethargic tendency and
attendant diseases causes stagnation in business
as in war. No news, either official or otherwise,
has been received in this city bringing to public
notice important movements in the field. The
Havana journals are, with special pleading, doing
their utmost to induce all classes to COM
bine and keep at par the Spanish bank notes
in circulation in the island, and likely to sue
ceed. Wednesday Of this week they were at five
per cent discount for gold, by reason Of the ad-
vices from Europe, while to-day but three per
cent discount is paid, and the rate will no doubt
within few days be as heretofore, one and half
to two per cent discount. Spaniards, sufferers by
the insurrecton, and they are legion, are putting
forth great efforts to induce government to adopt
some step-authorize some act of indemnifcaton
of properties destroyed by the insurgents since
the beginning of the rebellion at Yara. The plan
most in vogue seems to be, using the proceeds of
the embargoed estates to that effect. Should this
take place, the insurgents will have but a
which way the war ends, for the Spaniards.
will hasten to make hay while they can.
kilograms from Cienfuegos note that the steamer
Dacia, of the West India Cable Company had left
that port to begin her work OF laying the cable
that is to connect hence to Jamaica. Sir Charles
Bright was in town yesterday, and left this morn
ing for the south side of the Island.
There is q certain animation apparent among
planters in the Vuelta Abajo to improve their
estates at least to supply the most urgent wants,
such as machinery and facilities for transportation
to and from the contiguous railroad stations.
Boilers are being forwarded, besides labor-saving
machinery and on several estates located at con-
siderable distances from existing railroads branch
lines oftrack with narrow gauge and light rails,
being built in such manner as to admit Of Operat-
ing them economically. General Ampudia, formerly
military governor of Manzanilo, left town yester-
day charged with the command of the districts
of BayamO Jiguani and Manzanilo. Colonel For
tun with part of the volunteer battalion at his
command, surprised party of twenty-five insur-
gents at Caibejes, killing six-thanks to the Offices
of prisoner who acted as guide to the Spaniards.
Some foraging parties of soldiers in Cinco Villas
district met in their forays small bands of insur-
| gents. Extent of damage, one or two killed in
each encounter on both sides. Mr.. Ferrer de
Cauto, of the Cronista of New York, comes out
volunteers to be sent to Madrid asking the expul-
sion of the deputies in the Cortes who spoke
against or disparagingly of the volunteer Organi
zation Of Cuba, and that they, the deputies, be
proceeded against. Yellow fever and smallpox
prevail in Havana, though, perhaps, not more
than usual during the summer months. The
weather is hot and dry, the rainy season not hav-
ing made its appearance, rarity within the
tropics in July.