The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-09
his has been one OF the principal sources Of uneasl
ness during nv impriSoument.u


requested Mr.. O'Keiiy to give me q succinct ac-
count Of Gil the main points Of his arrest. imprison
ment and treatment.
II have treated these subjects pretty exhaus-
ttvciy already IN long letter which wrote to the
HERALD since my arrest There are some things In
connection with the story which, for obvious rea-
sons. cannot be touched upon now. When the
whole history comes to be written the conduct OF
tho authorities will appear even less excusable
tnen than 1t does now. The efforts which see by
the Havana press have been made to represent me
as holding compromising relations with the tnsur-
gents have not the slightest Justification. The
letters which the authorities pretend to regard as
compromising are simply letters OF courtesy writ
ten to Mr.. Bennett They had nothing to do with
politics, ana so far as have been assured, contain
nothing more than expressions Of admiration Tor
the enterprises undertaken by the HERALD In the
cause Of civilization and general enlightenment in
all quarters Of the globe. f&
HENDERsoN's MISREPRESENTATION
rendered it necessary that should bring from the
insurgent lines some proofs that had actually
been in contact lth Cespedes. II 1t had not been
for this circumstance / should nave declined to
have been the bearer Of any letter, however harm
less, from any Of the insurgents. I owed 1t to
myself net to pass over Henderson's unfounded
statements In silence, and could not venture to
This ia the cause OF what some have been disposed
to regard as an imprudence. These letters are
written In Spanish. They were not sealed; and,
though did not take the precauti0n of reading
any OF them, believing 1t to be unnecessary, l am
convinced that there Is not o compromising word
in any OF them. They are so clearly con-
nected with my mission as q journalist that
only fanatic or man acting In bad
faith could pretend to see anything
compromising in them. All my other papers con-
sst ofprlvate letters, In no way connected with
Cuban troubles, and the note books, which are the
property or Mr.. Bennett. Had there been any
thing compromising In my conduct would Ger
tainly not have. returned to the Spanish lines,
when quicker and safer route was open from the
coast to jamaica. Nothing but the confidence In
spired by the absolute neutrality l had maintained
during my passage through the insurgent lines
could have induced me to present myself freely to
the authorities, as well as my misplaced confidence
in Spanish honor. Not alone could have quit the
Cuban lines In safety, but even after my arrival
Manzanilo could have left the country on board
an American ship, which sailed the day OF my ar
rival. without the authorities having the faintest
suspicion of my passage through the town."
MAKING USE OF OUR COMMISSIONERS NOTES.
''Do you think the authorities arrested you In
order to obtain your notes and make use of them
'.Probaby some intention Of that kind decided
their action. It Is certain that they have found
more reliable and valuable information respecting
the instruction IN my notebooks than the Spanish
government has been able to obtain during the
four years the war has existed. They, however,
put themselves to needless trouble as with little
patience they would have obtained still fuller In
formation in the columns Of the HERALD, without
exposing themselves to the criticisms Of the
public opinion Of the world by their very
questionable conduct In my regard. II
they had hoped to find Information OF q
eontraband nature they will have been disap-
pointed. 1t is absurd on their part to have ar
rested me after making so many professions OF
their desire that light should be thrown on the
Cuban question. In all my letters and communi-
cations to the HERALD have preserved strict
neutrality, and even the most prejudiced must
admit that my views have been broad and dispas-
sonate. 1t Is impossible In q country like this to
speak the truth and avoid giving OFFENCE The old
maxim OF the law, ''the greater the truth the
greater the libel" seems to exist In full force here
and no doubt those parts OF my letters which best
deserve the praise OF an impartial mind have given
the most sfience to the contending parties. !
als NEITHER PARTY HAS BEEN WELL PLEASED
nor content with what have already written, and
II am not mistaken the same thing will hold true
that is open to criticism on both sides. will have
q good many harsh and unpleasant truths to utter
when l can speak with perfect liberty; at present
my motives would be open to misconstruction. II
speak III OF the Spaniards It would be attributed
to resentment, and II criticise the Cubans It
might be attributed to fear. these reasons
prefer TO remain silent"
informed Mr.. O'Kelly OF the memorial presented
THE cuB ANS IN NEW YORK a
TO President Grant, and the resolutions adopted by
Others at Key West Offering to march at the van
guard OF the American army in case he should be
shot by the Spaniards. and requested him to state
to me In what light he considered the action OF
these braves. sl
~ suppose their motives were good, but 1t ap-
pears to me slightly il.advised and not likely to
contribute much to my freedom. / feel grateful
for the interest manifested BY all American citizens
In my welfare, but scarcely consider that the
sympathy OF declared enemies OF Spain is not CAL
culated more to injure tnan to serve me. 1t not
only renders the public opinion more hostile to my
release but renders more dificult the interference
OF the American government on my behalf; and as
my principal hope Of q speedy release Is centred
more In Washington than in London, whatever
tends to embarrass President Grant causes me q
sensible injury.n n
"What do you think Of the manner Of conducting
THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS VI
against You ~ a bA~
81 think it very mysterious and inquistorial no
information is given to me about what steps are
taken, and as have no legal advice am com.
pletely In the dark. The fiscal came here three or
four times and told me had to answer certain
questions and do certain things under the penalty
OF being condemned for contumacy ZEN reoeidia).
Under this threat | have been compelled to take
part in proceedings which / do not pretend to
understand. 1t appears that they are making up
case against me, but SO far have received
NO IMPORTATION OF WHAT CRIME 81
they intend to charge against me. AT the moment
Of my arrest requested the British
CApori 20 tnforpo nrrtor tLo rnrac,