The New York herald., 1873-12-03
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
Spanish DupiHcity az Display yed by Our
Diplomatic Corrc spondence.


WAsHINGToN. Dec. =, 1878.
The papers relating 90 the foreign relations OF
the United States transmitted to Congress with
the Annual Message OF the President contains 2i1
pages OF printed matter various subjects OF cor
respondence and negotiation between the United
States and Spain. The latest date is October I,
1873, and therefore does not include tho cor
respondence respecting the seizure OF the yir-
ginius
The question OF slavery, and the gen.
eral aspect and tendency OF affairs In
Cuba, however, Is tuy presented. The action
Of the spanish Congress in substituting civil gov
ernmcnt for the military in Porto Rico, and of
providing for the abolition of slavery that
island. with the inference that the same policy
would be adopted in Cuba as the paciica-
tion of that island should have been accomplished
was announced, and was received with satis!ac-
ton by government.
Immediately after, however, q meeting, COM
posed of the leading persOnages belonging to the
several reactiOnary parties opposing tie Cabinet
was held to deieat the measures of colonial re-
form Carlists, Alfonsnos. conservative consti-
tutionalists Inoderados and colonial clubs united
in the movement. Among the prominent actors
the Duse de Ia Tore, Admiral Topete, senor
Sagasta and others. who were members
OF previous Cabinets This feeling grew IN
each other in crying danger to Spanish
unity" "our colonies are lost'' and ''Ireasen IN
the palace.o Meetings were held in all the princi-
pal towns under the auspices OF societies inter-
ested in the trade With the colonies. Agents OF
the Shareholders in CUBA and Porto Rico used AL
kinds OF appliances intended TO gain over or TO
silence the trends OF emancipation. Five-siXtns
Of the Journals in the capital and many IN the
provinces, became clamorous In avor OF the slave
holders From Cuba came the announcement, by
cable, that 10000 volunteers united in the demand
that no reforms be granted to Porto Rico While an
insurgent survived IN Cuba.
This feeling eliminated in the capital in an
armed demonstration in the streets The cal riage
Of the Prime Minister was attacked, and 1t was
alleged that the United states had 4 secret COM
pact with the Cabinet binding the latter TO pol
Icy described as degrading TO Spanish honor and
dangerous to national interests. Despite these
disturbances the spanish Congress. on December
22 1872 accepted the colonial policy favorable
to tue abolition OF slavery, bya decided majority.
A basis OF pacfcation in cuba decided upon by
the Council OF Minis tiers ON braced general amnesty
return OF connscated property. gradual abolition
sembly and municipal franchises, representation
IN the spanish Congress by Senator'S and Deputies.
the present head OF rhe Spanish government, in
the Chamber OF Deputies made an effective speech
in favor OF che Immediate abolition of slavery in
the island OF Porto Rico. The announcement of
mediate abolition Of slavery, municipal
followed By an emphatic endorsement Of
the programme in the popular branch
OF Congress- at once resulted in q Cabinet crisis IN
which an entire reorganization was necessary.
One month after. In February, 1878. the popular
reaction was so great that the King announced TO
the Cabinet his desire 70 abdicate. The next day.
February IL, the Chamber OF Deputies declared
itself in permanent session on motion OF Senor
Figueras. republican Deputy, aud at once the
two houses united in the exercise OF sovereign
powers.
The Cortes also unanimously accepted the abdi-
cation OF the King. The Republic followed. Senoy
CASTELAR, then remarked that the spanish Republic
looked especially 10 our government and people
Tor sympathy and support. In May. 1873, complaint
was made TO Senior Castelar, that the Cuban au-
thorities had dlsobeyed the orders OF the supreme
government, and that the military and naval at-
thorties had so long been permitted 10 diso-
hey ORDERS disregard DEGREES aud suspend
tne ws D pa Gst M n sasy Wsde pao
that unless they were led speedily to understand
and perform their duty by means OF one or more
would be useless TO come there tor redress of any
grievances citizens OF che UnIted States might
suffer IN Cuba.
Our government was assured tnas further and
peremptory orders would be sent ut once to Cuba.
Kryke were promised by the spanish Navy Depart.
mcnt TO the Admiral commanding, and that ifthese
orders should not be ooeyed the officer offending
orders were immediately sent for the liberation
OF Santa Rosa and Kryke and, with respect TO the
embargocs, the Minister felt sure there would be
delay.
In July, 1879 decree was issued raising all en-
bargoes imposed by Executive authority N Cuoa
since April, 1869 on property OF persons Charged
with political offences, and directing the imme
diate restoration 70 Its owners. Ten days later,
Tue MlNlStt' VI rtHhnCc VI tuF HGN sdUlHti All
nounced that no reforms would be granted Cuba
until the insurgents laid down their arms. Tho
announcement was received with applause.
A letter Of August 27 1878, from Mr. Fish, re
minded the spanish government that the recent
events were nOt calculated To command confidence
in the expectation OF satisfactory settlement OF
the troubles in spain, either ~ TO her internal
colonial Affairs or her relations with other Powers.
As TO the former, he said that the effort to
establish republican form OF government
does not give great promise or success: that
the Unitcd states had promptly recognized the
ad "A
friendly interest BY abstaiuing from insstance IN
the presentation OF complaints on account OF the
frequent failure OF compliance with assurances OF
intended reforms in the government OF cuba and
OF the reparation OF wrongs To the persons and
property OF American citizens.
Tue next @ontl, "a vtolau9a o. every promise.