The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-05
DON CARLOS AND HIS POSITION
TOWARD SPAIN AND CUBA.
a Letter from the MARCUS de Ponce de Leon,
One Of tho Prince's Aidss-de.Camp.

One Of the Princes Aidss-de-Canp.
To TIE EDITOR OF TIE SUN-Sir: The
Duke OF Madrid has been apprised Of the lead
ing article which appeared In your edition OF
Sunday last. on the subject OF letter which be
addressed In 1893 TO Don Miguel Albania. The
story Ia very old one, but since you have con-
sidered II desrableto touch upon II, Monseieneur
the Duke hopes that you will allow him TO make,
through me, q few remarks on your article, as
we'll as on the circumstances under which that
letter was written. This would be all the more
Just, &c the correspondence you have printed Is
not CON plete, aud may, therefore, be easily NILS
Interpreted.
Your article says thst"a special messenger
was despatched from Paris to Havana with the
appointment Of Gen. Lersundi TO the Vioe-Hoy-
atty OF the island, and with other important
documents" These "other important docu-
ments" are not reproduced either In your
article or In the pamphlet Of Sehor Piheyro, on
which It is based. Among these documents was
letter to Gen. Lersundi embodyine the Dukes
instructions to him concerning all the main
questions OF colonial government. without this
letter tho Dukes message to Senior Albania and
his intention to appoint that gentleman TO the
Governorship Of the Island Of Cuba. look like
desire on his part to court the favor OF the radi-
cal leader. This 10 the last thing the Prince
should ever be accused OF. As you must well
know, he would never consent 10 treat with any
Of the Governments OF Madrid. How, then, can
he be suspected OF the intention to enter into
bargains with individual politicians
The appointment Of Sehor ALBANIA was solely
the result Of the Dukes moderation and Of his
constant desire to meet the wishes and wants Of
the people Of his country, whether they DO Cas-
tilians, Dasques, or Cubans.
- T.. lsaA mail Ia AZ tar
TO Senior ALBANIA was written nearly eight years
ago, whom the rebellion In Cuba had not
broken out. The burning OF the first cartridge
changed everything. The moment Senior Aida
ma and his followers became rebels against
Spain, they became the Dukes own enemies
and he believes that in civil wars negotiations
are out OF place. Such nights have, 10 his
opinion, to be fought out, and the more thor
oushly the better. The Cuban rebels do not
| seem, however, to view the matter In the same
light. In 1902 that Ia TO say, about year after
the Duke had shown his willingness to grant
| Cuba what he thought TO be just and proper,
they sent him q secret agent to Paris Offering
American arms and Cuban money to eight the
Madrid Government with, provided be would
agree to withdraw the Spanish troops from Cuba
| and to let the so-called Cuban patriots have
| everything their own way. Monseigneur's
answer to that agent conslsted In an order River
10 ono Of his aides-de O. camp to show him to the
door.
| Tne Duks WAS personally ALWAYS opposed
| % the Institution Of slavery. In his capaoit,
| a. the main sunnorter of the BASQUE fueros, b,
| b.. .Iso shown. I none, his sincere belief II
| the or,noioles Of self government. Nsverthe
| iess. had he been on the throne Of his ancestors
| he would never have allowed q handful OF In
surrepts TO extort the reforms Cuba wants O.
| sadly: and he prays God that the government
| Of his Young cousin may prove strong enough
| promptly TO crush the rebellion, and iptelligen
! enough lust as promptly to enter upon tn
| sreat work which the principles OF moderi
civilization SO inperativeiy prescribe.
Enough, however, about Senior Albania. hi
followers, and this old story. One more rema
| only have 70 make-and tina is about what 70
ssy ON this subject. You accuse the Duke c
| having cost Spain millions OF dollars, and tho,
| ..nds OF lives" But has Dona Isabel, or Do
| AIfopso. or Castelar, with his iptransigcntes {
| the Cuban rebels, cost Iess7 The Duke Of Nj
| drid has at all events the Justification OF havin
fought for the maintenance OF the dynasty an
Of the old franchises Of the people. But viii
| have all the Others shed Spanish blood an
-.-..a s-.ri.h cold for. except for the prom'
non'y soss' people Know wen no
'na' 'u' DuAe nss eos' opaiu uuch less tnaa u
/