The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-29
CUBA.

CRUISE OF THE ossIPEG AROUND THE KyEn
FAITHFUL IsLE-cooL RECEPTION BY THE
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF THE rSsuRREc-
rIoN-RUIN OF THE ISLAND NEAR AT HAND.
PORT ROYAL, May 20. 1871
The recent cruise OF the corvette osspee. Com
mander S. Livingston Breeze, around the Island OF
Cuba, while Ia itsolf far from agreeable the officers
OF The vessel served to develop some Interesting facts
concerning the situation OF AFFAIRS what was
to be known as tho Ever Faithful Isle.
TIE DELTA SHOALS.
Tho 0ssipee sailed from Pensacola on the 10th OF
March, and for nearly week was engaged In search
ing for tho Delta shoals. reported by the Captain OF
the steamer Of that name, OF the Island After
very close and protraced Investigation in the local
ity OF the alleged shoals trace OF them could be
found, and II quite apparent that tho English skip.
per was either far out OF his reckoning or was
greatly in when he madc his funcied
discovery. Certainly the soundines Of the Osspee
failed TO develop any thing OF the kind. Alter tho
completion OF this work the Ossipee put into Key
West Tor coal and supplies tho 2sth of March
ran over 10 Havana, where she laid week. The
spanish authorities formally polite, but were
evidently not overjoyed TO geo Yankee cruiser in
thor port
cIgSruEGos.
Leaving Havana the Ossipeo sailed Tor Cienfuegos,
where sho laid week. number Of Spanish gunboals
were port, but the authorities displayed dcslro
to extend hosptallles our vessel Tho Insurgents
the town, and there was no com mu cation
with the country Provisions scarce and high,
and here, IN the other ports OF the island visited by
tho Ossipcc tho inhabtaus in tho most Distress
ing CONDITION. In consequence OF all channels OF sup.
plies from tho country being cut oil by Tho rebels.
No one dares 20 60 any distance outside Of the limos,
as certain capture awaits the ncaulious wandcrer.
COAST TOWNS EEsEGED.
At Santiago do Cuba ana NIevitas also visited by
the Osspee, tho same state OF affairs exists All these
towns are closely bccaguered by tie Insurgents,
have practical control of The entire end the
sland Noinins but the presence OF tho span sh gun
boats which held great dread by insurgents
prevents these towns from failing into their hanus
At none OF the places visited and tho Spanish authori
ties VISIT the shlp beyond maKiag, through a sub
ordinae, ioria visit Tho CuDans however, awaited
themselves Of every opportunity 10 throng the snip,
aud when under our nag, spoke very freely Of tue
situation III the island, winch daily bccomIng
anu more sad ana hopeless, II was tho unanimous
opinion oil tucse people that the Spanlaras colng
to destroy the valuable the island
Inc insurgents.
RUIN OF THE ISLAND
Two moro years ol contest VIII certainly completely
the island. The recent war tax OF thirtye per
land estates ana business oil ali kinds is
greater than be endured. Yet the Spanish officials
are collecting ~ with relentless ygor Ever. one is
disncarened, and all feel that the iulure has IN
greater disasters and troubles. II would take years
Tor Tue island to regain It's prosperity should the
close to-day but, while the officials being enriched
ny the war; tie end thereof IS Ter of.
SPANISH ARMY
Tho loss OF lie by fever and other Diseases in the
opaHsn army SOWvlhIS dppaiiIuS. Tue Medlca
and Commssariat departments are in the most nefh
oudtivu, and consequently The army decinuLcd
by disease oil every KIND. General Camp0s making
great Efforts 10 put down tue Instruction, but
generally admitted his iuDors slgually failed The
terrible cram on the resources oil SPAN
eniecoc her AS 10 compel her TO give up tho contest by
| compromise or the withdrawal OF her lorces She
cannot much longer continue the struggle.
AT MAfANzAs.
At Matanzas tho Ossipce found tolerabiy healthy
state oil AFFAIRS The portion VI tbs island
has IRON the presenc. Of the nts
aud the tobacco ana sugar interests have suffered very
little Business is therefore quite brisk Matauz AZ
as Al Havana, aud no appears to icel the
| cept In the taxes, which are heavy enough.
RECEPTION OF TIE OFFICERS.
AZ before remarked, the reception o our officers
! throughout Cuba very cool and disa. reeaDie
Wnctner II was because the sight OF the American flag
gave much Ill concealed satisfaction pleasure 10
| tho Cubans. or because OF U deep antipathy which
seems TO have always existed between the Dons and
the "Yankees as they cali US, quito apparent
that The Spaniaras viewed tue visit oi the Ossipee
wherever she went, with disgust and hatred. and this
especially with the naval officers, VINO did not
| disguise their ieelings ut all.