The New York herald., 1873-04-11

In our latest dispatches from Cuba, pub
lished elsewhere, will be found the fullest in
formation we have been able to obtain re-
specting the position of Mr. James ]. O'Kelly.
He was in prison at Manzanillo on the 9th
inst, and in view Of the impossibility of de
Tending himself properly there asked
his removal to Havana. This natural
request the Captain General has seen
fit to deny, although SO urged by United
States Consul General A. T.. A. Torbert.
The trial has been ordered by General Cebal-
los instead to take place at Santiago de Cuba
a point still more remote than Manzanillo-as
though the purpose was to throw all possible
obstacles in the way of communication. We
cannot say which is the more unjust, the ar
rest and detention ITSELF the nervousness with
which it has been kept secret, or the refusal to
give their guiltless prisoner the simple right of
an investigation where Spanish power in Cuba
is strongest, and where he could at once con-
vince even the most wilfully blind of his
entire innocence. Why send him still further
away from Havana2
While all the liberal thought of the civil
lied world is applauding the efforts made
by the people of Spain towards emancipation
from old despotisms, ancient prejudices and
cancerous political evils what sad contrast
is furnished by the action of the Spanish
authorities in Cuba relative to our commits
sioner! While Spain is struggling for light
Spanish Cuba is struggling vainly against it.
Because of the light it will let in upon
the dark places Of Spain's old misgovern-
ment the Spanish Republic is hailed be-
cause of the light which newspaper writer
can let in upon the horrid war in Cuba (bar-
barous on both sides) he is imprisoned,
threatened and isolated. Mr.. O'Kelly has
procured information which the American
government has expressly stated the neces-
sity of obtaining The civilized world, in
| fact, asked information about the dark,
bloody and endless strife 'at our DOORS"
and Mr.. O'Kelly's only offence is in pro-
curing it. Will the Republic of Spain
proclaim through its representatives in
Cuba that to learn the truth is 8
crime2 There can be no other &C.
cusation against our commissioner, let
sophistry and prejudice twist his straight
forward action as they may. Captain General
Ceballos recognized the neutral, journalistic
character Of our commissioner as he did that
Of his predecessor, Mr.. Henderson. He ex-
tended more favors to the latter; that is oil
the difference. In his letter to Mr. OKelly
he spoke of the dangers that might befall him
among the insurgents, and how unjust public
opinion might distort his possible death
| among them into Spanish assassina-
ton. He then told him to proceed ''at his
own risk" These unpromising conditions
Mr.. O'Kelly accepted. His mission was no Sc
cret and his careful impartiality was evidenced
in several letters to the HERALD. Assured by
General Morales Of the manner in which
he could obtain ''pardon" if he needed it, he
left for the rebel lines The belief that he
| could be, even constructively, spy, was never
| entertained by the authorities. Once past the
| Spanish lines, he could have left the island
rancorous Spanish partisans have hastened to
state. But Mr.. O'Kelly was an impartial
journalist and not spy. He did not sneak
away from the coast, as he could have done;
but, respecting his own and his mission
dignity, returned in good faith to the Spanish
lines This is the man on whom the Spanish
authorities seem to imagine they can wreak q
malicious vengeance with impunity.
| With the life Of such representative of the
highest interests of journalism in danger we
can rely on the press of America in the express
sion of their opinions. His life is the common
cause Of oil. The attempt to shut out un-
biased inquiry in Cuba with murder threat
ened in furtherance of that attempt, appeals
in but one way to the American press
namely, as blow OF the cause Of
intelligence, which is the cause Of oil.
In simple justice to the brave man who hns
carried the banner of intelligence amid the
scenes Of this deadly, crime-stained war in
Cuba we appeal to all humanity against his
persistent prosecutors. convinced that the