The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-12-19
THE MISSION TO CUBA.

Brief IDssructiOns-FjTst Plans in Ha-
unconstitutional by the Spanish Po-
lace.
IL was not without many misgvings as TO the
results that | undertook my present mission 70
this island. While making the necessary arrange
ments for the journey previous TO my departure,
l did not underrate the Importance OF my mission.
For over four years state OF war had existed be.
tween the Spanish government and part OF the
Cubans. For more than year nothing had been
known OF the real condition OF these Insurgents.
They had been completely cut or from intercourse
with the world, and the reports concerning them
were very conflicting. The spaniards represented
the Cuban forces as handful OF naked, ill-armed
negroes and Chinese. The friends OF Cuba Libre
claimed that their army numbered at least ten
thousand toerably well armed men, and rs an
evidence OF this pointed to the accounts OF
numerous engagements given In Spanish jour-
nails. 1t is true these accounts gene
rally reported that the insurgents had
been routed; but, said their sympathisers,
1t is evidence there are still armed bands to en-
counter To learn the truth was the chief object OF
my mission but from the first the difficulties OF my
undertaking were as great as the doubts which
surround the actual condition OF the Cuban forces.
soon found IL was no holiday task | had under
taken and must confess to some feelings OF fear,
to trepidation on thinking Of the difficulties
would be compelled to surmount and the dangers I
would have to undergo. To visit the principal cities
OF the island guarded as knew they would be By
the dreaded spanish volunteers, whose murder or
the medical students in Havana Is too fresh in the
memory OF the people to be repeated; to pass
through the lines OF the armies surrounding the
men was directed to meet, and there probably be
received as an enemy, because had passed safely,
were 10 themselves considerations almost sufficient
to deter me. Remembering these dinlculties, and
further that on both sides this war had been con.
Quoted with savage inhumanty unparalleled in
modern times, 1t was not with the peasan,est an.
ticpations that came here.
HAD ARMED MYSELF IN NEW YORK,
as far as possible, with documents from various
authorities, to show when necessary the object or
my trip. From the State Department, at Washing
ton, l had obtained my passport. From the
"Cuban Junta," in New York, i had gotten not
only passport, or certificate OF the capacity in
which was engaged, over the seal OF the Com
mssioncrs OF Cuba Libre" in the United states but
separate letters of Introduction to Cespldes,
President of the Republic OF Cuba, and to Generals
which were designed for my protection when /
should reach the insurgents lines. l also had an
interview with
ADMIRAL POLO. THE SPANISH MINISTER
In which lendeavored to obtain some assurance
that ! might be permitted to accompany the
ments against the rebels. The only result OF this
interview was the Admiras promise that he
would write upon the subject to the Captain Gen.
| left New York on Thursday, October 3, in the
steamer MORO Castle !ominous nameD, com
good offices ! shall hereafter have occasion to
speak.
on the following Wednesday, October ., we
steamed by the grim walls OF
HAvASA's CHIEF FORTRESS, MoRRo CASTLE,
and entered her capacious harbor at about seven
O'Clock IN the morning. OF Havana's numerous
iortncatIons, as seen from the harbor OF the novel
appearance OF the city ITSELF with It's nat-roofed
chimneyless balconied houses OF blue. yellow and
green among which wave the palm. banana and
other tropical trees, as viewed from the deck OF
our steamer, anchored now in the middle OF the
harbor, 1t Is not my province to speak.
Soon after we anchored the Health Onlcers
boarded us, followed shortly after by those OF the
custom House and our passports were collected
ana sent TO the city, we being assured that In about
half an hour permit to land would be returned.
But as one half hour after another passed and no
wrong. but what 1t was we remained In ignorance
or although your correspondent had some fear
that MS presence might be the cause. have since
learned that this was the fact, as will hereafter
appear,
The desired permission was not given until after
twelve O'Clock; then we hurried to shore. and
after form OF baggage examination made our
way to our abiding places.
It Is not my intention to give an extended de-
scription OF Cuba or OF Havana. That has been so
often done that the people OF the United States /
must have tolerabiy correct idea OF this island. I
ners OF these people, aborIng assiduousy to acquire
a knowledge OF the Spanish language and as quietly
as possible communicating with those Cubans to
whom he had letters OF Introduction, your cor
respondent pursued the even tenor OF his way
until he was aroused from his equanimity by the
given him by one Of his made &C
quaintances) that he was being
Swallowed BY THE POLICE.
Now, az thoughts OF Spanish dungeons, chains
and the garrote dashed through his mind, he pre-
pared himself as far as possible for visitation
rom the authorities.
These preliminary arrangements having been COM
pleted, upon October ~ your correspondent adj
dressed
LETTER TO THE CAPTAIN GENERAL,
AZ interview. ~ which AN answer was