The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-19
CUBAN AFFAIRS IN THE CITY.

Arrival OF General Rafael Quesada-
Speedy Action Antfcipafed-Brtgh
Hopes for the Future-The Quesadas
and the Cuban Agency.
Brigadier General Rafael Quesada, brother to
Major General Manuel Quesada, late agent abroad
for the Republic Of Cuba arrived In this city on
Sunday last and received yesterday representa-
tive OF the HERALD. General R. Quesada left New
Orleans ON the 1Ith inst, where he has been for
some time.
During last summer Manuel Quesada sent his
brother TO Northern Mexico for the purpose of in.
vOking aid from the federal or some or the State
governments Of that Republic. 1t was thought
when Brigader Quesada went, that his.wen known
influence with q large number OF Cuban sympa-
thzers In the neighboring Republic would enable
him 10 enlist there q strong force Of Mexicans to
embark In the war against Spain. A distinguished
Mexican guerrilla General Aureliano Rivera, ex-
pressed his readiness to assist the people Of Cuba
and said he would
EMBARK WITH FROM ONE TO TWO THOUSAND MEN
as soon as transportation could be furnished.
The loss OF the steamer Virginius deprived Gen.
eral Quesada OF the means by which ne hoped to
carry out this formidable undertaking. The fail of
the much lamented President Cespedes involved
that Of his agents abroad, the elder Quesada and
Mr.. Carlos del Castillo, and the ihstalment Of the
present Cuban agent, Mr.. Miguel ALBANIA, in 0fice.
For these and other reasons the enterprises the
younger Quesada failed In the South.
Brigadier Quesada states that ne is an xious to
embark without delay for the theatre OF war. He
is In communication with the men In the field, and
feels confident that never at any time since the
commencement OF the struggle have the patriots
been in a better condition. He claims that they
have assumed the offensive, and thinks that
but for the want Of artillery, Calixto
Garcia and Maxine Gomez would now
be In possession OF several Spanish strong
holds. In support OF this theory he cites the
state OF siege in which the insurgents keeping
ManzanillO and Puerto Principe, and the sack
ing Oh the former city as well as NuevItas and
santa Cruz. The General has every reason to be-
neve that the organization, discipline and arma-
ment OF the Cubans never were In u better state.
The only drawback appears to be a want Of arms
and ammunition to place IN the hands OF multi
tudes Of willing men who are waiting for o chance
to use them with effect.
thinks, viii hasten the solution OF the Cuban
question. Since the outbreak OF the war, five and
ex
OF whom was expected to put down the rebellion;
and now, in the last days OF Joveiiar's reign, he
WORSE OFF FOR MEN AND MONEY THAN ANY OF HIS
PREDECESSORS
During the days OF CASTELAR, q small blink
OF liberty glimmered through Spain, and among
other reforms inaugurated was that OF cur
limits the absolute powers Of the Captain
General Of Cuba. JOvelar came into power under
out Tor ormer despoc powers Ss he could DO Moth
ing, and demanded to have them pack again as
CONDITION to MS remainipg IN once one OF the
was TO restore dictatorial power TO JOveliar, who
Immediately proceeded 10 exercise 1t by proclaim
draft among the volunteers and able-Dodied men
IN Cuba, and finally setting his agents to work in
people of the island. These look like energetic II
not prudent, measures; ana the slaveowners see
that JOvear despairing to get Teip!QrcementS Of
men or remlttances in money from Spain,
IS RESOLVED TO ''PLAY ALL FOR ALLY
SUIT the siayeowners, who WANT time. pc they want
10 procrastnate and keep matters as they are now.
n, 1t s impossible TO improve them Hence
rest OF the negro sellers and volunteers not wish
ing to risk their heads lose their slaves, sent
OF General Don Jose de la Concha as Captain Gen.
eral. And 1t would seem that the Havana ring have
GUS ACTIVE oilicef WHO so cruelty executed Lopez,
Crlttenden, Steadman and host OF others in the
tort OF Atares In 1852 The supporters OF slavery and
unconditional Spanish rule know this very well,
the means OF Shaving OF Tor awhile longer
THE INEVITABLE RUIN WHICH AWAITS THE HELLIsR
INSTITUTION or SLAVERY.
Meanwhile the volunteers win not volunteer nor be
drafted, but, when they can do go, prefer paying
$1,000 exemption money to facing the hardy mann
neelng from the draft, and, to cap the climax,
gold has gone up like rocket, the Vuelto AbajO
rus over 70 Castle
liam blood flows amain, and the country Is in con-
Such, in BRIEF Is General Quesada's picture Of the
condition in Which public affairs now situated In
Cuba. He predicts the end to be near, and thinks
last Captain General OF the island. While saying
this, General Quesada also admits the possibility
years more, but AYERS that the patriots are ready
Tor even 80 unlocked Ior turn OF events.
General Quesaca Is neutral as between his
oQaD pl
by Mr.. ALBANIA. He has offered his sword to the
present agent OF the Cuban government, and
asserts his readiness to lead an expedition 10 the
island at any time. The General has already Landed
three successful expeditions at different times in
Cuba and thinks he could run In another He
states tina. the people o Louisiana are very enthu-
siastic in favor Of the Cuban cause.
Cuban who was present remarked that had Rafael
Quesada gone III command OF the VIrginius expe-
ditton, ne would have landed 1t in safety.
Vice President Agulera and Quesada are on
good terms. The latter recognizes the former
constitutional Vice President but cannot look
upon him In the light OF President until ne returns
to Cuba and places himself at the head or the gov
eminent there.
Reference was made to the sacrifices OF the poor
exiled Cuban wOrkmen during the last five years.
when gentleman, who has oeen conspicuous Tor
the services rendered to his country's cause,
saId:-
cit is wen known that there are about 1000
Cuban cigar makers In the United States. These
men pay each on average $40 per month to the
agency, irrespective OF VINO may be at the head of
AFFAIRS In the five years that have last transpred
that this immense sum ought to deiray the ex-
penses OF several large expeditions without in
Guiding vastly larger amount that has been COL
lected among the wealthy Cubans, from sympa-
thizing outsiders and accruing out OF the sale Of
bonds yet In the face or all this IL Is TACT that
only small, isolated enterprises have been
despatched TO the shores OF Cuba.
Mr.. Frederick de Arnas, the well known Cuban
journalist and writer thlnks-as do number Of
OJhers-that there Is still a reasonable ground for
hope That exPreside mt Cespedes is still alive The
news OF MS death comes In very questionable
shape from Havana. The spanish Journals In Cuba
state That the body brought into santiago was that
oil stout, bald-headed man. Cespedes was neither
one nor the other. He was q very spare, low-slzed
man, and wore mis- HAIR rather long, having no
signs OIL badness. The only thing found on the
body that could in any way identity it with Ces-
pedes was SOCK bearing the initials &c. NJ de Co."
but mat might be accidental.
General Quesada states That he has obtained, on
legal grounds. divorce IRON MS wife, aud with
her consent; also that the proceedings In connec-