The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-28
THE NEW SPANISH MINISTER.

SENIOR DON FELIPE MENDEz woo GIVES HIS
VIEWS ON THE PRESENT CONDITION OF SPAIN
AND CUBA
The new representative of the Spanish government.
His Excelency Senior Don Felipe Mendez vigo, was
at home yesterday afternoon in his quarters at tho
Albemarle Hotel. His Excellency left Madrid in the
latter part of last month. and on the 30th embarked
at Cadiz in of the Spanish mail steamers for
Havana. He remained but six days in the capital Of
the Queen of the Antilles and during that time had
many interesting conferences with Captain General
Martinez Campos about the condition and prospects
of Cuba.
His Exccllency spoke with much cordial feeling
concerning late visit of President Grant to the
Spanish peninsula. The American General made
himself, it appears, very popular in Spain by the
simplicity of his manner and unostcntatious frank
ness toward all who approached him. His Majesty.
King Alfonso degned to take personal interest in
the of General Grant. While in Spain the
authorities who. besides the friendly feelings which
they evinced toward the of Appomattox, had
orders to receive the former First Magistrate of the
United States with all the honors due to his distin
guished position among his own countrymen.
short time before Senior Mendez vigo left Madrid he
met General Grant at the banquet given in honor OF
the latter the house of the President of the Council
of Ministers. Seior Canovas del Castillo Sehor Man
number OF other distinguished statesmen and mobiles
present
The new Minister spoke with tranquil confidence
concerning the position and hopeful future of Spain.
He would have treated as absurdity any insIua-
ton questioning the stability of Alfonso's throne.
and seemed to look upon the political situation of
his country as being all that could be desired. He
intimated that certain measures of "a liberal
pexion would be adopted by the Cortes giva
full effect to recent Legislative reforms in the Basque
CONQUERED BY KINDNESS
In IF fhe cnplti nf t,nl fha mis-
enthusiastic the successful policy OF GEN
eral Martinez Campos He said that the Cubans
generous hberality OF the Spanish policy toward
them as they were. by force OF arms. When the in
Spanish authorities the former thought that they
would be severely dealt with II not pat to death. but
Grafton, their wants supplied. and they
were sent to wherever they desired to
go: This unexpected leniency toward the
Cubans brought thousands of them from their
Businesses and they speedily submitted with good
grace. Even when some of them have needed .
horse General Csmpos has been known to give up his
own to mount the tired insurgents. The Captain
General is daily engaged in planning reforms of the
law to suit the altered circumstances of the island,
and for the purpose of effectively executing the
decree of gradual emancipation. which has years ago.
show the value of this of freeing the blacks.
and it is hoped by Pcninsular and Insuar statesmen
that il would result benetcaily to the blacks and to
their masters Meantime the services OF the
much needed on the plantations, which have for
considerable period. during the late revolutionary
est measure of liberty has been secured to the
oucred Cubans.
As regards the financial condition OF tine island.
HIS EXceency said that in consequence of the nearly
ten years struggle which had gone on in Cafnaguey
and the Eastern departments, Cuba had suffered to
large extent, and. therefore, she was now passing
through financial crisis which the Minister believed
would he OF but short duration and which must result
favorably ~ the island in the long To show
the spirit of patriotism which animacs public
aud indeed men OF all classes in cuba Senior Mendez
Vgo cited the fact that General Martinez Campos has
donated one-lalf of his pay captain General tow
ard increasing the available resources of the
and the better to enable the Chief of Hacienda to
face the situation. All the wise measures that have
been inauguratod by Captain General Campos would
be, the Minister said promptly supported by His
Majestys government and the representative of the
throne who sustains in the great Antie the honor
and interest of SPAN might count upon being backed
up by the cabinet ut Mtdrid.
AS to the relations OF Spain with the Unitei States
the Minister was happy to say that they OF
dial nature. No grave questions pending be-
tween Madrid and Washington and he. hoped none
would arise to mar the friendly relations existing
between the two countries In giving expression to
this wish His Excellency felt that he was but
re-cchoing the Kings wish anu that of the Spanish
people.
Tho Condo Morella, OF the famous spanish
general and statesman. Cabrera, accompanies the
Minister a. attache to the spanish Legation WASH
ineton. The new dpomatist win this week present
his credentials accrediting him to the American
government III Washington.