The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-08

The special dispatches from the HERALD
correspondent at Havana, published to-day,
supply us with some further information in
OKelly, our commissioner to Cuba, but leave
the fate of that gentleman still in uncertainty,
and afford additional evidence of the injustice,
audacity and cowardice of his prosecutors
From these dispatches we learn that on March
81, Immediately after the arrest. Mr. Louten,
the British Consul at Manzanlllo, telegraphed
the fact to the British Consul at Santiago de
Cuba, Mr.. Ramsden, requesting him to con-
vey the intelligence to the Consul General at
Havana, Mr.. Dunlop, and telling him that
Mr.. O'Kelly asked the assistance of both the
American and British Consuls at Santiago de
Cuba. This telegram was suppressed
by the Spanish authorities-a pro-
ceeding which would have been
cruel and uniustifable, even if the HERALD
commissioner had been guilty of any act that
warranted his incarceration but which, under
the circumstances attending Mr.. OKelly's
case, was doubly reprehensible. There is
little room to doubt that Mr.. Kelly's de-
suppressed; for it is improbable that he would
have omitted to forward to us the intelligence
Of his arrest and our correspondent at Ha-
vana received the first information Of the occur
renee from Consul General Dunlop, who was
himself ignorant of it until the arrival of Con-
sui Ramsden's communication. 1t would
seem from this dastardly treatment Of their
kAc<k 10 ,;cho ~
zanillo desired to deprive him of the benefit
of such assistance as it was his right to de-
mand, perhaps with the idea Of butchering
him before any steps could be taken to extort
justice from their fears At all events, the
anxiety to evade responsibility in 30
fragrant q case is evident on all sides, and
Captain General Ceballos who in his CONVEX
sations with our correspondent at Havana, as
in his earlier interviews with Mr.. O'Kelly,
fuctuates between timidity and bravado, only
carries out the legitimate Spanish policy when
he instructs the so-called Court which pretends
to try Mr.. O'Kelly that it must take its own
course, and not consult him any further about
the matter. At the same time we learn that
our commissioner has very properly refused
to answer any questions put to him or to
plead at all before q tribunal whose right to
deprive him of his liberty he denies. So far
as may be consistent with his duty to the
journal he represents, he would no doubt will
ingly satisfy the Spanish authorities in any
possible way of the neutrality Of his position
ish law or Of the rights of hospitality But |
he will neither betray his trust nor sacrifice his
self-respect, and the man who could not be |
deferred from his lawful mission by savage |
threats is not likely to be coerced into any act
inconsistent with his duty and his manhood.
The mission Of our Cuban commissioner
was no secret to the Spanish authorities He
did not visit the island in any assumed char
acter or endeavor to carry out his object by
indirect means. His first act upon his arrival
at Havana, in accordance with the instructions
he had received, was to seek an interview with
the highest authority in the government, the
Captain General, to frankly state to that officer
his business, and to request his aid and protec-
ton in legitimate, useful and humane under
taking. He was assured that the rebellion
was of very little account; that he could travel
with safety all over the island, and willie he
was refused safe conduct he was verbally
granted permission to 60 wherever he might
desire at his own risk. "But why extend your
travels" said the Spaniard "when here in
Havana you may learn all about the rebel
lion from those who have been engaged
in it, who have become satisfied Of
its hopelessness and have received the
clemency of the government It was
not from such sources, however, that the
HERALD commissioner was to gather his in
formation His duty was to view the condi-
ton of the insurgents with his own eyes and
to hear their story from their own lips.
He SO informed the Captain General adding
the assurance that he should speak of all
things as he found them, without fear or
favor, and that his feelings as between the
combatants were those of indifference. He
proceeded to Santiago de Cuba, and there he
discovered the unrsliability of the assurances
he had received at Havana. The whole island
could not be travelled over in safety, for the
insurgent lines embraced large amount of
territory he was not at liberty to go wher-
ever he might desire, for every obstruction
was thrown in the way of his
entry into the insurgsnt country, and
he was threatened with instant death
as spy if, after visiting the enemys
camp, he should be again found within the
Spanish lines. Once more avowing the legiti-
mate object of his visit he pushed forward,
in spite of the dangers that surrounded him,
and entered the insurgent territory. He is
now on his return. He does not attempt to
steal out of the country, as he could have
done, and as hundreds have done before him,
but with the courage Of an honest and self
reliant man who is strong in the conviction of
his own innocence and honor, he boldly re-