The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-01-22
THE SPANISH QUESTION!
Note Of Secretary Fish to
Mr. Gushing.

|
President to-day, enclosed letter of Mr.
Fish and copies Of correspondence Il
the House of Representatives, in re
sponse to resolution of that body, call
ing for copies of correspondence in rela
tion to the Cuban question. The dvcu
ments are voluminoYs and comprise
much that has heretofore been published
1t appears that on the 5th Of November
last the Secretary Of State addressed two
lengthy letters TO Minister Gushing, al
Madrid, the first of which refers to the
neglect of Spain to comply with stipu'
lations OF protocol of November lst 1873
and particularly in relation to the trial
of Burriel. According to the
terms of said protocol 1t appears that
no steps had been to that end BY the
Spanish government. but that it was
even then discussing certain abstract
questions when in it should be making
Investigations without waiting for any
communication from the United States.
The Secretary says: 1t has been, and
is our desire to adjust thi' and every other
question, and in this desire we have been
pressed almost to the limit of osr endur-
ance. In the same spirit you have been
instructed to represent 10 Spain the
injury that her course in refer
eSe, 10 General Burriel involves
to both countries, and its effects
upon our relations, and therefore, it is
earnestly hoped the representation may
be received and responded to in the same
spirit. Whether this question shall pre-
cede or follow the treaty question or the
conascation case, is left to your discretion.
On the 10Th of November telegram was
sent by Mr. Gushing to Mr.. Fish, stating
thst the Spanish note had come in, and
that it repeated the assurance Of the trial
of Burriel on the same date. November
5th, 1876, the Secretary of State also ad-
dressed another communication to Mr..
Cushing, which Is as follows:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, /
WAsHINGToY, ID. g., Nov. 3, 1875. !
Caleb Gushing, Esq:
Pursuant to lntimatlon conveyed in
my note No. 242, deem it necessary to
recur to the general question of our re-
lations with Spain and TO consider the
progress which has been made in dispos-
ing of outstanding questions which for
some time past have seriously threatened
the relations OF two counties. At the
time of your departure for Madrid apart
from the general question Of the
unsatisfactory condition Of affairs in
Cuba and the failure to suppress the
revolution, several prominent ques-
tions renamed unadjusted, the settle
ment which wero deemed necessary be-
for any satisfactory relations with Spain
could be established or maintained.
Upon all of these you are instructed.
The most important among them were
the questions arising from embargo
and con hscation of the estates Of Ameri-
can citizens IN Cuba; those relating TO
the trial OF Americans in that Island in
violation Of the treaty obligations, and
the claims arising out of the capture OF
the Virginius, including the trial
and punishment OF General Burriell.
After the expiration of more than
eighteen months it seems advisable to e1-
anime what progress has been made and
to consider our present relations with
SPAN. A letter in reference TO the arbi-
tiary seizure and Withholding of the es-
tates and property Of citizens Of the
United States in Cuba, under proceed
ings OF confscstlon or embargo so called,
as separate instruction, was addressed TO
YOU under date of February 9th, prior to
your departure for your post. / referred
therein to the general facts surrounding
these cases; to the arbitrary action Of the
authorities, by which the property Of
American citizens had been seized in
violation of treaty provisions, in
the absence OF judicial proceed
Ings, without hearing and under
such q circumstance rs to call for Wig
orous protest and demands on behalf OF
the government. The general facts sur
rounding these cases are well known.
It's not pretended so far as am aware
that any legal justification for these
wrongs have been attempted on the part
OF the authorities of Spain or that these
proceedings in Cuba are defended or up
held. On the contrary pursuant TO q de-
cree issued by the Government on July
18th 1873, the illcgality and indeteasi-
bic character of these acts were admitted
and the embargoes were ordered 10 be
removed and prosperity be restored.
This decree was at first received
in Cuba with calm indifference
not even published or adverted to and
the proceedings of the authorities were
in no notable respect changed thereby.
At the time Of the visit of Senor SAILOR
Y. Play, Minister of Ultramar, the de-
cree was in some instances the
same. and in some significant
steps taken in individual cases TO
comply Herewith. In general, however,
1t was claimed either that incumbr snces
existed making compliance Herewith
impossible, or the delivery Wa. offered
burdehed by losses or membranes and
coupled with unfair conditions or de-
mands; or the delivery was avoided on
.he ground that the particular pro-
perty was conhscated not mbargoed. In
fac. the decree was trested in general
with supreme indifference, You were
informed that the President, while
not disposed 10 question,
the willingness Of the authorities IN Spain
,n do justice 70 this government and ber
citizens, expected that means would be
found to compel the agents in Cuba 70
obey the orders OF the supreme govern
men;. Such was the condition Of the
question at the date of your departure
Numbers Of American citizens had At thi:
time been deprived OF their property
and were an nIiously awaiting the perform.
snce Of the promises and ASSURANCES which
had been given by the Spanish govern
ment. In spite Of all the effort!
which VOC have made, intelligent
and energetic So they have been
no etfeclual result has been accom-
pllsbed
Immediately after You had entered or
your duties, in your note No. "A undei
date Of June %, you reported q conver
s.tion with Mr. Ulioa having referenc'
TO this question, ssd IN your note No
3gl Of June 10. ycu advise the Depart
men, Of 3 note addressed 10 the Ainiste1
OF State, calling attention 70 the particu
Z r. sr1 M Eeye< "A.