The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-22
The HAVANA BUTCHERY.
Summary Of the Correspondence Accompanying
the Presidents Message on the Subject.
The State and Navy Departments Action
In Cuban Affairs.

WASHINGTON Dec. 81, 1ssl.
The President to-day sent q brief message to the
House Of Representatives IN response TO a resou
ton offered by General Banks on the 9th instant,
requesting information relating TO the execution or
the medical students at Havana and the failure OF
the Spanish government to carry out in Its West
India colonies the reforms voluntarily promised by
the statesmen IN Spain.
the correspondence commences as far back
as september Is, 1870. In November OF that
year secretary FISH addressed United States
Minister Sickes letter Ia which the lat
ter was instructed to represent TO The
Spanish government the strong desire TO have en-
forced the decree OF emancipation OF slavery In the
spanish West lndia colonies. Spain owed 1t to
herself 10 fulfil the Just expectations OF the civilized
world in this respect She owes 1t to the United
States to carry out in good faith The repeated
pledge.
Minister Sickles to Secretary Fish, January 49,
1871, saye:"He FURNISHED the Minister OF the Colo
MES with copy OF the latter's note
respecting the question OF slavery and poitI-
cal reforms in Cuba and Porto Rico. The
Minister informed him that the law passed by the
Constituent Cortes the 23d of June, 1870 has been
fulfilled and obeyed In all Its parts In Cuba from
the date OF Its publication, although the absence
or regulations for Its execution makes 1t neces-
sary that what would have otherwise been q
matter OF mere form shall be made .he basis for
regular forms providing Tor the clear determination
OF each case. In order that the execution OF the
law may suffer no obstruction the Minister has
| determined basis to serve as q starting point
ana has transmitted 1t to the Councillor OF State,
subject to the provisions OF law, In order that the
definite regulations for carrying out the decree In
| question may be taken up without delay"
Secretary Fish, on February rs last instructed
| Minister Sickles to continue TO urge the iuGlment
OF the emancipation decree and other promised re-
| FORMS
Among the papers is letter from Vice Consul
General Hall TO Assistant Secretary of State Davies,
dated November %, giving circumslantiai account
OF the alleged Dissertation OF the grave OF Castanon
the Key West martyr, as he was held to be by por
ton OF the penlnsnlar population:
| The medical Students he says, did not break but
merely made q lew scratches with diamond upon
| the glass plate tnat encloses the niche, and re-
| with one OF their own selection. The govern
ment was utterly powerless and thoroughly
/ obliged to compromise with them by ordering
drum head court martial to try the prisoners. It
| conflict, that some, at least OF the young men
| should be sacrlaced. The court martial. composed
| convened at two O'Clock In the morning. and at
| noon the sentences were given out. The execution
hour the Volunteers Kept up their ADMINISTRATIONS be-
lore the prison and the palace Throughout the whole
Of this aar The DISPLAY ed ITS utter help
| regular force at It's command was insignificant,
While that OF the volunteers was large, readily
centrated, AMI, as IN this instance, when nearly
| unanimous OF purpose, 0verpowertng
Mr. Hsil concludes by saying that during the
| cOmmotiOn great alarm prevailed among the
| Cubans and not little among foreigners. There
were well founded apprehens0nS that general
massacre of Cubans was intended, and this pos
sibly may be attributed as one OF the motives for
| compromise with the volunteers and the sacrifice
OF the young men. Hence he sent the following
NOVEMBER %, 1877.
Government poweress Serious appreheusons massacre
every nome. t. vcsselof-war advisable. HALL
The Secretary OF the Navy replies to that part OF
the resolution calling for copies Of instructions to
the naval commanders Of the United States In
Cuban waters for the protection OF the lives ana
properly OF American citizens and maintain tine
dignity OF the American nag. The Secretary fur
nisnes the general ana specific tnstruetions The
which he says
Appeals constantly made to for the
PERSONS OF whom justly entitled to IT,
your Judgment discriminate in such
But all citizens OF the United States born or
nauralzed In Cuba engaged IN lawful pursuits respecting
the laws of the country and taking In the
overthrow the entitled
as fully as you are able 0 extend It,
On May 6, 1859, the secretary OF the Navy wrote
Admiral Hon that
Reports Department. through tho press and
kilograms of several American vessels searched
by span sh menof-war In British waters and high
gard TO the difficulties now existing In the island
| they cannot consent that our merchant vessels
hauled and examined, unless they are found committing
violation OF Spanish authority This do
~ ahos dn S,, @ Oh wal luis Is subject IN
and which they went to with Great Britain In 1872
While you are in no way TO interfere in the difficulties
existing In Cuba to compromise the taking
with either II will ftlpr