The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-15
Interesting Letter from the Late Com
missioner to the Ever Faithful.
His Conversations with Riquelme,
AguerO and Others.
WHY HE LEFT CUBA so SUDDENLY
Ell Cronista on O'Kelly and His
Mission.

The Dons Evidently Know Not What to
Make Of the Whole Thing.
no THE ENRON OF THE HERALD
The explanation Of the departure of the
HsRALD's late special commissioner to Cuba from
that island, given in the Dtarto, and repubshed in
the HERALD Of December 80. bears undoubted EVIL
dence OF being the work of General Rlquelme. Its
statement of what occurred between your CORE
spondent and the General gives details that prove
conclusiyey the Information given was furnished
BY either the General himself or Lieutenant mot
''Ensign') AguerO, while Its general candor and
irness mark conclusively the former as Its author.
There appear to be but few inaccuracies In this
account, and from -
THE HIGH CHARACTER OF GENERAL RIouELMs
your correspondent is convinced that some were
caused by msinformation, while others were doubt
acquainted with family, four members Of which
were then suffering from cholera, and that the
v0mito was in the city Of Santiago de Cuba as the
American Consul informed General Riquelme was
mistake. This, however. Is o matter Of trining
Importance, except as showing the animus Of the
American Consul towards your correspondent, Of
which more anon. A more important matter Is the
statement that It was at the residence OF the
British Consul on the evening OF November
20 that General Riquelme first heard of the
Dtdrt0 article asking the HERALD correspondent
TO ''shOw his hand" On the morning OF that day
was informed by Lieutenant Aguero that the Gen.
eral had expressed his Indignation at its publica-
hon and had censured him (Aguero) for not In
forming him oil the intimatiOn previously given by
avolunteer officer that it would be published. AT
the British Consul's the same evening the General
was present, when Agvero refused to translate
into Spanish q telegram I desired to send to the
HERALD alleging that one sentence would incense
the volunteers against him as we'll as myself. The
Objectionable words were, 1.-THE Dtarto being con-
trolled by the volunteers, this request is de-
mand." / appealed to General Riquelme, and it
was then he first discussed the Dtarto article with
me. He became violently excited, declaring he
would Immediately have
rHE OFFENDING EDITOR ARRESTED AND IMPRISONED.
he sent to his private secretary that orders to
that eject might be issued, at the same time de-
aouncing the presumption OF the volunteers In
strong terms. While Lieutenant Aguero rather
favored this summary mode of procedure,
united with the Generals secretary in advising
against 1t, and he finally reeonsdered his first in
tention and re{rained from issuing the order.
There is another inaccuracy in this report which
AN at q loss to unaerstand:7
Then General Roueime. IN pfesence Of the
American Consul and Brigadier Morales de los
Rios, said In an official character and with insist.
and Saa p mould nave
necessary, the following or words to the same
efYect:-It appears. therefore. Mr.. Consul. that
cholera and yellow fever, to which l do not OBJ
tect; but his life runs no danger In Santiago de
Gand, Tor I have guaranteed and still answer
with my head for his personal safety; and
Tar from putting any impediment to his visiting
with the greatest cOnscientiousness the centre OF
ma by distinguished onicer, to accompany
Il he e desires to visit the Insurgents he may be
sure that everything possible will be done to find
n% i also ths nave Se Sesa me-
the hands Of the rebels, and that If he had in.
tended to take any precaution, In case Of deciding
saumny upon the Spanish troops in case Of any
unfortunate event taking place In the enemy's
hsvng Ss s M re
Spectfully took leave stating mis- thanks for the ut
fentions and kindnesses OF which he has been the
object.
The greater part OF the conversation between
General Riquelme and myself when called to ask
Tor my passport, in the presence of the American
Consul and Brgadier Morales de los Rios, was
conducted In the English language, although for
the benefit OF the Brigadier Spanish was occasion
ally used, the Consul interpreting for me. II the
General did use the above language-and DO not
question his word II it is he that makes this state.
mept-it was in Spanish and was not translated.
THE REASONS FOR MY DEPARTURE
given to the General were these; ~ nave seen ana
the Central Department You have told me, as
have the foreign consus (Prussian French, Danish,
leading insurgents in the Eastern Department are
unknown, and that the wandering hordes OF
eS hsVe not @
the nature OF the country in this department. the
rebellion has not been subdued and, with the con-
ndence have In your statements, there Is no rea-
son why should encounter great dangers simply
to confirm what you have told me. Abandoning,
%s BUSINESS Is and
N VIEW OF THE FACT THAT TIE CHOLERA Is
here desire to return to the United States imme.
dIately.o In reply to his remarks that he had been
under the impression had intended returning 10
Havana before my departure from the island re,
piled briefly had changed my mind, that had
been unwe for several days, and, fearing serious
attack OF sickness, wished to reach <ome as soon
published Hs in the HERALD Of December 10, that
having in the Central Department met ana con,
versed with the head OF the Cuban Republic
i York; s s fSr that no longer
exist did not detail one Of the means
S 0sS that ssDeu weq ND asaras ahl lessen
danger II the spanish authorities should discover
had seen fifteen hundred well disciplined ant
sured me there were but one hundred, and had
seen Cespedes, whom they pretended to believe
was dead. Upon my return from my visit to tn
Cuban patriots, while spoke as II had seen blu
General ARramonte and the hundred men IL ha'
been represented would find with him, pre-
tended was
IN POSSESSION OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION
which would communicate to no one but Captain
the greatest moment that should 60 to Havana
Immediately. Not only did reuse to give Lieuten
ant Aguero and Chief OF Police Lo Moline any init
nation OF what this important matter was, but Il
General Fajardo at Puerto Principe said that
would impart IL only to the Captain General, add
ing that, as he must already have surmised iron
the orders he had received nom Cebalos, ha
confidential communications with the latter
whom / afterwards met at Nuevitas toll
the same story. Aguero informed me he was FIRE
uuently questioned ON this subject by the highe
oflcers, and he used every means to induce me =