The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-22
PRIM AND CUBA.
Is There a Draft Treaty Between
Spain and Cuba9
Freedom and Peace for the Gem
of the Antilles.
What Liberty Lost by the Death of the
Spanish Kingmaker.

From the Uondon) Anglo-American Times, Jan. ~
Cuba is not a profitable annexation to the Spans
ish Kingdom and 1t might prove little less unpront-
able to the United States. 1t would be for the adj
vantage OF Spain to cut adrft the Cuban incubus,
and with the Spectator We doubt whether 1t wouldl
be for the advantage OF the United States to take
in tow the Spanish burden thus cut away But il
is probable all these would benefit by leaving the
Cubans to govern themselves. We grant 1t ia
likely there would be many shortcomings, that
there would be some dsheartening failures; STILL
1t Is for the natives to worry through these dinl|
cuties, and II they cannot, II they deplorably faZ5
1t may then become the policy, almost the bOundeH
duty Of the United States to restore order and
govern the island as best it can. Nod
only is this the view held at washlngtonS
but 1t was the view held by one Of
the greatest OF Spain's statesmen, and her last
Marshal Prim. Readers OF Spanish journals NAV
often see the remark 'Ohl that Prm had yet3
ruledl-the Cuban question would never hav4
drifted into these complicatiOnsr' They will in.(
dignantly deny the agreement made on PRINTS be-
half which we now publish They will declare ii
to be forgery. They will assert that their agent
was unauthorized; nevertheless, it Is the plain
simple truth that Prim held the opinion to which
we have given expression, and 1t is probable that
through his agency, had he lived. Foreigners, who
can see the relations between the peninsula and
the island, can appreciate the advanced
ideas of the Spanish Marshal; how LIBERAL
just and wise they were. They can see that
had they been carried into action years ago. how
great would have been the gain. But, many
Spauiards, blinded by prejudice and what they
believe to be self.interest, will den0unce these
ideas as the emanations from the mind of a
traitOr-a man who designed to sell his country.
Let them look back and balance as nicely al
they can what has happened In this Cuban guess
ton since PRINTS death, and what are the press
ent prospects When they weigh the course
intended by the Spanish kingmaker against the
course they have advocated and Spain has taken,
IN which scale are the greater advantages and
the less disasters likely to be fOundP Accepting aa
true what President Grant in his Message says Of
the result Of the four years. war, that II there is
no prospect Of the success Of the insurrections
still Spain appears to have prospect OF Suppress
ing the insurrection, what has been realized and
what Is to be expectedp Heavy as haa
been the loss Spain has incurred through the ail-
ure in the agreement arranged by Prim's agent.
which we now publish 1T may be added for the first
time), it would be wise In the Kings government
to lose time in completing It, Tor In no other in
stance than this IL the saying likely to prove moro
true, "Better late than never"
The undersigned, Don Miguel Zorro, CONFIDENTIAL
agent OF the spanish government by authority OF
their Excellencies Don Juan Prim President OF the
Council OF Ministers, &C., &C., dated Madrid, 2Sth
Of the other part, Jose Manuel Mestre and Joss
Antonio Echeverria, commissioners representing
the Republic OF Cuba abroad having mutually pro-
and, after various protracted conferences having
for their object the termn alton Of the fratrcidal
war which for more than two years has devastated
the island OF Cuba, have agreed In fixing the fol-
lowing bases, subject to the ratification OF their
respective g0vernments.-
FfrSt-Spain will acknowledge the independence
OF the island of Cuba.
Second eL, viii pay to Spain, in the form and
sum equivalent to the complete and fnaf
abandonment on the part OF the latter in
whatever kind or description whatsoever includ-
ing in the same the sum necessary to guarantee
the payment OF the debt which the Spanish govern.
ment may have contracted with the Bank OF Ha-
vana at the date OF the ratification Of the present
bases
Third-The Republic OF Cuba will not recognize
any other debt OF Span, whatever may be its de-
nomination or origin, except those mentioned in
Fourth-Immediately on the acceptance and rat
ication OF these bases all hOstities both sides,
against persons and against property, shall cease.
Finh-A treaty OF commerce will be celebrated
between Spain and Cuba, mutual facilities and ex-
emptions being granted. Said treaty shall be put
into execution within six months following the
proclamation Of the independence Of Cuba.
StLM.-The Republic vi Cuba undertakes to pro-
tect the persons and properties of the Spaniards
residingin the island, when they are not In sppO-
sition with the fundamental laws OF the said Re-
public.
Don Miguel Zorro will communicate within a
short period to the Cuban Commissioners the
acceptance of these bases by the Spanish govern
ment and at the same time he will provide the
Commissioners means or communicating, without
difficulty with the government OF the Republic Of
Cuba, through the blockade and the Spanish lines,
when 1t may be necessary.
The terms for the ratification Of the bases by
both the contracting parties shall be one month";,
commencing from the time that the Cuban Com
arc made acquainted with the accept
ance OF Spain, as provided In the af0regoing para
graph.
simultaneously with the ratification Of the bases
both OF the contracting parties shall appoint COM
mssieners with full powers to settle the treaties
referred to In the said bases as also to agree de-
termine and sign the particulars by which they
shall be put into execution and any other agree
ments which, on the recognition Of the indepen-
dence of Cuba they may consider advantageous 10
the consolidation Of peace and good will between
the two countries.
The Conference, TO be held for the purpose OF ar
irving at this result, shall take place on neutral
ground and the ratification of the treaties on
which the plenlpotentiaries may agree must be
effected within two months after the treaties are
signed by them MIGUEL JORRO.
J. A. ECHEVERRIA.
j. NJ. MESrRE.
NEw Y0pv nril 1871