Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1873-05-03
The Island of Cuba.
Interview of the Herald Correspondent,
O'Kelly, with Cespedes,th the Head of the
Cuban InsurreOtion---An Interesting
Statement.

The appearance of the residence of
the Cuban Government, says O'Kelly,
was certainly far from impressive for
the strictly material mind. A narrow
path through the forest led to a small
clearing in the woods, in which were
situated some twenty huts, constructed
of peRcds de nlGnaca. The ground,
covered with stumps of trees, and with
scant foliage, rising on either side of
very small rivulet running through
the centre of the encampment, increased
the melancholy look of the place. On
| the further side of the little rivulet
group of young officers were waiting to
receive me, among them the son of the
President, Colonel Cespedes. As soon
as the presentation of these gentlemen
was over was informed they were sent
to conduct me to the presence of the
President.
followed them some distance to
hut a little larger and somewhat more
eommodious than its neighbors, but the
difference could not excite discomfort
in the most envious mind. The most
enthusiastic socialist and leveller would
not desire more modest presidential
mansion.
On entering, a small, well-built man,
rather stout of body and below the mid
die height, rose to receive me. One of
dent" And at the same time President
Cespedes, advancing with hand extend
ed, said very distinctly in English -
" l am very glad to see you.
I was frightfully tempted to try a
little stage effect and leave a mot for
posterity. In fact, like other people in
similar circumstances, had arranged
in my own mind, while toiling over
those sharp, internally pointed rocks, a
very magnificent phrase but at the
last moment either my moral courage
/. failed or my national modesty over
come me. 1 said nothing worthy of
posterity, but simply expressed my
satisfaction at seeing President Cespedes
we'll, and thanked him for the cordial
reception he was pleased to extend to
me.
President Cespedes is q small man
with a good deal of iron in his compost
ton, stands remarkably erect and is
nervous in action and in temperament.
His features are small with a claim to
regularity. The forehead, high and
well formed the face oval and little
worn by time and care his eyes, gray
with tinge of brown, are bright and
penetrating. His mouth and the lower
part of his face are concealed by a
mustache and beard of iron gray, with
a few black hairs interspersed When
he smiles he shows his teeth, which are
wonderfully preserved and of extreme
whiteness.
AS soon as the first exchange of cour-
tesies was concluded the President in
troduced me to Senor Miguel Bravo,
St cretario de Guerra, and afterwards to
the members of his staff President
Cespedes then requested me to be seat
ed, pointing to fixed stool made OF
rudely-planed laths, close to the table,
on which were placed some pamphlets
relative to the Cuban question, and a
few copies of papers.
A few books and bundles of papers
were arranged in an orderly manner
about the hut, which contained no fur
niture but a hammock, table rudely
constructed of sticks bound together by
the Nagaqua, vegetable cord which
abounds in the woods. In addition, O
few valises were placed against the side
of the hut containing the Presidential
wardrobe. A revolver suspended from
, belt of golden texture and a sixteen
shooting Winchester rifle completed the
very simple furniture of the President
of the Cuban Republic. The first ques.
tions were about my entry into the
Cuban lines, and whether the Spaniards
had permitted me to pass freely. Or
learning the threat of General Morales
de los Rios to shoot me in case should
be captured, President Cespedes offered
to send me to Jamaica in one OF the Gu,
ban boats that constantly make the pas
sage. This offer declined, as I have
made up my mind to return through the
Spanish lines, unless something very
unexpected happens to make me alter
my resolution. | then expressed wish
to be allowed to pass through the Cubar
lines to the Camaguey district, in ordel
that I should be made acquainted with
the state of the whole insurrection
President Cespedes at once replied -
Every facility shall be placed at YOU
disposal to see and examine into the
state of our forces, and whatever infor
nation or papers you may require rela
tive to the civil or military organization
shall be freely placed at your disposal
! Referring then to my letter on slavery
in Cuba, he said =
; "We were pleased with this letter
because it showed desire to presen
Z the case of Cuba fully and truly. Thelt
are many points in it, however, abou
! which I will speak to you at future
time. A hut has been placed at you,
disposal, and as you must be fatigue(
and may desire to rest, [ will not detai1
you longer now, but expect you will do
me the favor of breakfasting with me.
!, eporter-But if Spain should fnall,
adopt republican form of government
would not Cuba be disposed to becom,
, reconciled to her?
l Cespedes-I cannot say what the sen
timent or feelings of the people in th'
towns may be but the Cubans in ARM
will accept no reconciliation or peace
b with Spain except on the condition o
2 independence. We are separated from
0 Spain by an ocean of water, and hav
Y interests different to hers, but we ar,
< also separated by an ocean of bloodshe(
: and cruelty unnecessarily used by th'
l Spanish government in their efforts t.
e subdue us. The blood of our father
9 and our brothers and of helpless, de
Y fenceless families, slaughtered in cole
Y blood, forbids our ever accepting an,
e conditions from the Spaniards. The,
r must go away and Leave us in peace, O
e continue the war until we are all deat
: or they have been exterminated.
= Reporter-What would become of th,
= Spanish population in case of tb,