The New York herald., 1872-12-24
THE EVER FAITHFUL ISLE.
The Proposed Coalition by the
South American Powers.
C0L0MBIA'S PROPOSITION.
A Plan Of the Republics to Set
Cuba Free.
WASHINGTON, Dec. %. 1879.

~ WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 1872.
Tho representatives Of the South American re.
publics ct Washington have received from the
newspapers the first intmat0n OF the 011lcial cor
rcspcudence passed between the governments OF
Colombia and SAN Salvador, proposing that a coai-
tion be formed against Spain by the South Amcri-
can republics and the United States In order to
force that Power to renquish the Ever Faithful
Isle. This correspondence includes suggestion
that q money indemnity be offered to
spain for the surrender of Cuba, ana that
negotiations be initiated to that effect through
the representatives OF the South American gov
ernmcnts at Washington. IT would seem strange
that these ENJOYS have received no oficial infor-
nation ON this subject from their respective
governments An explanation for this may per-
haps be found in the fact that your high officials
are slow to decide and sil slower to move, and
that newspapers were N the present case ahead
OF the governments.
THE MINISTER OF COLOMBIA
says he was greatly surprised when he saw the idea
OF the coalition first mooted in the HERALD, and
that he,has advlces relating to 1t from his gov
ernmcnts though instructions for him talying with
the tenor OF the published correspondence are
probably under way. The representative OF san
Salvador as been absent from this city for several
days. and it, seems that he is not better informed
than his coll eague aforesaid.
Mr.. Frere, the courteous Minister OF Peru
and Bolivia, todd your correspondent tlat lie had
heard C0lombial had addressed circulars TO all the
South American republics with regard to Cuba,
but he did not know how the matter had been
treated by them He did not think that his gov
ernment would errser Into such a c0ahti0n as prD-
posed by Colombia
had given belligerenS rights to the Cubans but
more she would not and could not do. When the
allied republics, Peru ana Bolivia Chill and Ecua-
dor, were engaged in hostilities against spain the
recognition OF the Cuban patriots as bellgerents
was a war measure in order to weaken their com.
s but sSe of
the allies and Spain, Mr.. Frere, speaking
for his own government, thinks that Peru is not in
regard to Cuba. The attitude OF his government
towards Spain must remain severely neutral until
treaty or 5s ea and
negotiations with Spain, nor could she resume hos
tilties against that Power as long as the armistcc
Is In force.
Mr.. Gonzalez, the Charge d'AfYaires of Chile, says
with regard TO negotiations to free Cuba from
Spanish rule. he believed his government would
take no such action for the present, at least.
COLOMBIA AND SAN SALVADOR.
The two leading South American Republics being
out Of the field there would remain only Colombia
and San Salvador to form the proposed coalition
with the United States. Spain looks upon Colombia
as non est, and would, with characteristic ins0-
iencs spurn any proposit9n, emanstlng s from
recognize. The question Is, now, shall these little
republics teach the United States government its
obvious duty shall not rather our State De-
partment take the initiative in favor Of Cuba
THE UNITED STATES.
A high Official remarked. in conversation with
your Correspondent, that the United States would
not depart from their traditional policy, which Is
to avoid alliances in every shape with foreign
Powers. With regard to Cuba, he said the great
Republic will not follow where Columbia leads. i
our government takes any step In the matter, 10
would do so OF their own accord. He also re-
marked that the recent HERALD letters had done
more for Cuba than any coalition OF South Ameri-
cal rnnub1icS COud do.