The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-12
A CUBAN OPINION.

DIR. Aguilera on the PrOba bic Fate OF MT.
OKeliy-A Determination to Make the
News Stale.
Last evening reporter or the HERALD had q few
moments conversation with Francis Vicente Agui-
lera the patrarchal Vice President OF the Re-
public of Cuba, now temporarily resident in this
city, and the following interview took place.
REP0RTER-I have come to ask you, Mr.. Agui-
lera what you think OF Mr.. O'Kelly's chance of es-
cape from the hands of the Spaniards in Cuba
Mr.. AGUILERA-Wel, sir, differ from the major
ity of my countrymen in this city, who fear that
O'Kelly will be shot or assassnated. do not (em-
phatcally). From the tact and good sense he has
displayed all along, l feel confident that he
would not be so imprudent as to carry writ
ten dispatches from the Cuban patriots when he
presented himself at the Spanish lines One OF
the principal objects Of the Spaniards in his
Is to gain time, and to make his news "lat, stale
and Improbable y but il they keep him prisoner
Ter months whatever might then fall from his
pen would be read with interest by the whole
civilized world.
ENDORSING THE HERALD.
Mr.. AGUILERA then continued, after lighting
fresh cigarette-I read the other day in your
paper about one Of my engineers, names Phelps,
an Engishman, who was taken prisoner at Man.
zanllO shortly alter the commencement of the revO
luton and thar an English man-ofwar was imme-
dately despatched to Manzanillo to demand him.
alss remember enjoying the joke of the English
captain, who wrote to General Ampudia, who
commanded the town, that, as the town was I'M
healthy at that season, he only intended waiting
to TIVE O'Clock in the afternoon for the English
man being surrendered to him. If he was not
on board his ship at that hour he would lombard
the town. AS you can readily understand, not
moment was lost in hurrying him on board.
NOW, AS TO THE CASE OF MR.. O'KELLY,
consider that there never was case in which
prompt and decisive action was more urgently
called for at the hands of this government. Mr..
O'Kelly, although believe, British subject is. by
his long residence in this country, and as an
American journalist fully entitled to the pro-
lection of the stars and Stripes. Perhaps the
British may be TOO peremptory in their pro-
cedures, but it is still energetic. Germany and
France follow in the same school; bat this country
has, 1t seems, adopted
A PEACE AT ANy-PRICE POLICY.
very different to the days OF Jackson and Pierce.
Although am not citizen of this country, can
not help regretting this policy, which IL unworthy
OF the great United States
REPORTER-What do you imagine will be the
next proceeding with reference to Mr.. OKelys
Mr.. AGUILgRA-l think that he will, In all proba.
bty be sent on, with a military escort to Santi-
ago de Cuba, where as much time as possible will
be wasted and he will then, II not released, proba.
bly, be sent on to Havana. In my own mind
maintain that they have
NOTHING THEY CAN LEGALLY LAY AT MR.. OKELLY's
DOOR.
They know he is q bold and fearless writer, and
win give a truthful and impartial account of what
ne has seen in Cuba Libre-and that Is where the
shoe pnches, for they are afraid OF publicity being
given to the manner in which they carry on
the war. In conclusion would say
as qualified by my long experience of the
spaniards, that they, fearing the powers which will
support Mr.. O'Kelly will not venture to hurt him.
/ would further state that hope this country will
assume an energetic and decided action in this
matter, and the whole world will applaud the
change OF policy.