National Republican., 1876-01-22
QUEEN OF ANTILLES.
tContfnued from First Pdqs.l


arrived when the interests Of this country, the
preservation Of It's commerce and the instincts Of
humanity, alike demand that some speedy and
satisfactory ending be made OF the strife tnat Is
A disastrous conflict of more than seven years.
duration has demonstrated the inability of Spain
to maintain peace and order In an island lying at
our door. Desolation and destruction Of life and
property have been the only results Of this con-
The United States sympathizes In the fact that
this inability results 10 q large degree from the
unhappy condition Of Spain at homo, and TO some
extent from the distractions which are dividing
her people. But the fact remains. Added TO this
are the large eXpanse OF ocean separating the Pc
ninsula from the Island, and the want OF harmony
ofthe Territory Of the home Government and
those of the Colony-the distinction Of classes in
the latter, between rulers and subIects-the want
Of adaptation of the ancient colonial system OF
Spain, to the present times, and to the ideas
which the events of the past age have impressed
upon the peoples Of every reading and thinking
Great Britain, wisely, has relaxed the old sys-
tenn Of colonial dependence, and Is reaping the
benefits in the contentedness and peaceful prose-
cuton OF the arts Of peace and in the channels Of
commerce and industry, in colonies which, under
restraint, might have Questioned and resisted
the power of control from a distant Government,
and might have exhibited, as does Cuba, q
chronic condition Of insurrection, turbulence and
rebellion.
In addition to all this, It cannot be questioned
that the continual maintenance, in the face Of
DEGREES and enactments, to the contrary, of .
disquiet and Of excitement 10 large class on the
nland- as also in the United States, which the
Goyernment Of Spain has led US, by very distinct
assurances, to expect should be removed, and
which the enlightened Christianity OF the age
condemns.
The contest and disorder in Cuba affect the
United States directly and iniuriously by the
presence In this country of partsans Of the revolt
who have fed hither, lin consequence OF the
and who, by their plottings are disturbers OF the
public peace.
The United States has exerted itself to the ut
the part Of these seif-exiled SUBJECTS Of Spain,
relying on the promise of Spain to pacify the
island. Seven years Of strain on the powers Of
ing demands of one Government can make, under
any doctrine or claim of International obligation
upon another, have not witnessed the much
hoped-for ,pacifcation. The United States feels
itself entitled TO be relieved Of this strain.
The severe measures, Injurious to the United
states and often IN conflict with publiolaw, which
the colonial officers have taken to subdue the
Observation-Disclosures and ofttimes the
offensive assaults upon the just suscep-
saes and Or tbss as S Sos Shs United
characterized that portion of the peninsular pop
ulstion Of Havana which has sustained and up
nors General, and whichh have led to the disre-
gard OF orders and DEGREES which the more
enlarged wisdom and the moro friendly
acted-the cruelty and inhumanity which
have characterized the contest, both on tho part
OF the colonial Government and OF the revolt, for
critics and Industries by arson and pillage, which
spain appears unable however desirous, to pre-
vent and stop in an island three thousand miles
distant from her shores but lying within sight OF
cur coast, with which trade and constant inter-
course are unavoidable, are causes Of annoyance
anu deJIl; E 70 me Snited states which people
sured prospect of their termination.
The United States has more than once been
solicited by the insurgents to extend to them its
hitherto rnefgtRl
tion and has endeayored by the tender OF its good
Offices, In the way Of mediation, advice and remou-
pressed sorey upon the interests both of the oy-
eminent and OF The people CT the United States
as also upon the commercial interests of other
nations
sincere friendship for Spain and for her peo-
pie, whether pentnsular or inEular, and an equally
sincere reluctance to adopt any measures which
might inlUre or humble the ancient ally of the
United States, has characterized the con-
duct or this Government in every step dur
Bg Iagse sfd si ana asdrsSsPs sS years and the
and desires above all things to Gid her and her
people to enter once more upon the path OF safety
ard repose.
1t will oe remembered that the President ia the
year 1860 rendered the good Offices oil the United
States for the purpose Of bringing TO a close the
in good faith, and in friendship to both parties to
the contest. General Prim, as the representative
OF the Spanish Government, while recognizing the
coed f3ith and friendship with which this offer
was made, replied: I'VE can better proceed in the
present situation of things without even this
friendly Intervention time VIII come when
only useful but Indispensable in the final ar.
ranRements between Spain and Cuo1. We will
entertain the form in which they can be employed
and confidently count upon your assistance"
The United States replied that Its good on ces
for that object would be at any time at the SER
ment has ever since been ready thus to aid in re-
storing peace and quiet.
The Government of the United States has
pfN~oVR O1EN ka t.
ence to the insurrection In Cuba, because It has
honestly and sincerely hoped that no declaration
OF policy on us part would be required.
The President feels that longer reticence would
be Inconsistent With the interests Of both Govern
ments.
Our relations with Spain are In that critical
position that another seizure similar to that of the
"Viginius," other executions OF citizens of the
United States in Cuba, other wrongs OF . less OBJ
been already suffered by our citizens with simple
renorstrancc, or possibly even some new act OF
exceptional severity in Cube, may suddenly pro-
ducc feeling and excitement which might force
events which this Government anxiouIly desires
to avoid.
The President hopes that Spain may sponta-
neously adopt measures looking TO reconcIis "a
and to the speedy restoration of peace and the or
ganiZation OF q stable and satisfactory system of
government in the Island Of Cuba.
In the absence Of any prospect Of a termination
OF the war, or OF any change IN the manner in
which II has been conducted on either side, he
feels that the time Is at hand when IL may be the
duty OF other Governments to intervene, solely
with the view Of bringing to an end a disastrous
and destructive conflict and OF restoring peace in
the Island CT Cuba. No Government Is more
deeply interested in the order and peaceful ad-
mluistration OF this island than is that the Uni
ted States, and none has suffered as has the
United States from the condition which has OBJ
tanned there during he past six or seven years.
He will therefore feel 1t his duty at an early day
TO submit the subject in this light, and ac:om-
psnied by sn expression OF the views above pre-
sented for the consideration OF Congress.
This conclusion is reached with reluctance and
regTet. 1t is reached alter every other expsiient
has been attempted and proved a failure, and In
the firm conviction that the period has at last
rived whtn no other Course remains for this Gov
ernmenf.
Itis believed to be a lust and friendly act to
frankly communicate tins conclusion to the pan
ish Government. -s..
You will therefore take an early occasion thus
to inform that Government.
In making the communication 1t is the earnest
desire oI the President to impress upon the author
tiles Of Spain the continued friendly disposition
OF this Government, and that it has ulterior or
selfish object IN view, and no desire to become q
party in the conflict, hut is moved solely by the
imperative necessities OF proper regard to Its
own protection, and lis own interests and the in
teIes,s of humanity and, as we firmly believe, in
the ultiu uate interest of Spain itself
In Informing the Spanish Government OF these
conclusions, pursuant hereto you are authorized
TO ad this instruction to the Minister of State,
or TO state the substance and purport thereof, as
You will, of course, keep me advised, by tele-
graph and BY post, OF yoar proceedings pursuant
"
am, si-, your obsdient servant,
HAMILTON FISH.
On the 5th Of November, the same date as the
letter 10 MIR. Gushing, Dir. Fish addressed 4 note
70 MIR. Schtnck, at London, saying: Herewith
you will receive confidential copy Of an instruc-
tion this day addressed 10 Mr.. Cushing contain
log the Presidents conclusion as to Cuba" lie
then briefly recites the tenor OF the letter, and
says: This being the case, the President is of
opinion that 1t is just to communicate to Great
Britain the conclusions arrived at in the note to
Mr.. Cushing, and to suggest thar, In his opinion,
the expression by Great Britain 10 Spain OF its
approval of the view Of this Government, and its
lnfuerce to induce a settlement, will tend 10 q
more speedy acknowledgment, and will more
surely induce the Government OF Spain, by some
wise and conclusive measure, to render all
thought or necessity of Intervention from any
quarter unnecessary"
The Government OF Great Britain may pos
sibly, OF Its own accerd think proper, in view OF
its.oNn interests, TO co operats with the United
States In this effort to arrest 8 cruel war of de-
vastation. Humanity, its own great interests,
and regard for the preservation Of the peace OF
the world will, 1t is believed, without doubt, lead
It TO support the position which tIGs Government
has at length been forced TO assume, and 10 ad.
dress IT'S representative at Madrid 10 that end.
Mr.. Gushing has TO day been instructed to defer
his interview with the Minister Of State until
/ you shall have communicated to tbis Department
the result OF your Interview with Lord Derby.
You will take the earliest occasion practicable 70
comply with this Instruction, and will promptly
rnrinfcata with IA nepa rfu h. nh