The herald., 1896-04-11
THE PRESIDENTS PROPOSAL
FORMAL OFFER OF MEDIATION BETWEEN
SPAIN AND CUBA
cles Gland Said to Have Extended the Good
Offices Of the United Ststes to Settle
the Cuban RebeIiion--Reports Of an
Insurgent Defeat
Associated Press spe cial Wire.

dCtloH III DeHdlI OIL CuDd. lie mas maze
to Spain Il formal proposition that the
good Offices of the United States be ac-
cepted in mediation between that
country and her rebellious colony in the
West Indies. This proposal was made
in cablegram of instructions to our
minister at Madrid. Mr.. Hannis Taylor.
which was dispatched today. No dip
lomatic dispatch of equal Importance
has left this capital since Secretary OIL
ney's note to the British government
on the Venezuelan question was sent
last summer.
1t brings to crisis the relations be-
tween the United States and Spain,
which have been unsettled since the
outbreak of the Cuban rebellion.
The note thoroughly explains the at
titude of the United States and the rea-
sons which have led to this action. The
principal points of the dispatch are:
First-The president offers the good
offices of the United States govern
ment in mediation between Spain and
the insurgents with u view to a set
tlement Of the trouble and the bring
ing about of peace in Cuba.
Second-The note recalls the corre-
spOndence between this government
and Spain at the time of the ten years
war. when President Grant and Secre-
tary Fish proposed mediation and the
Spanish government though declining
in Cuba. The fact that the United
States was in part instrumental in
bringing about that settlement. and the
charge that the Spanish government
has not kept Its promise. is given as a
reason why the United States now has
right to be heard in the case.
Third--It is pointed out that the pres
ent rebellion in Cuba has assumed n
much more serious aspect than any for
rner insurrection, the insurgents having
apparently taken possession of all the
island except Havana and a small Sec
tion of country roundabout.
Spain is assured of the fact that the
United States is actuated only by disn-
terested motives and by a desire
through friendship to bring about a
more pacific and satisfactory state OF
affairs in the island. Spain is urged to
accept our good offices in the spirit in
which they are rendered, and the hore
is expressed that the Spanish govern
nlent will see it's way to granting re-
forms in Cuba. The president does not
ask Spain to grant the independence of
Cuba nor does he suggest that home rule
be accorded the people of that island.
He leaves all these questions of method
to be discussed after Spain shall have
expressed willingness to accept media
ton.
AN lNSURGENT DEFEAT.
near Camajuani, Santa Clara. had a Sc
we're engagements with 600 insurgents
under Jose Gonzales, the colored leader.
resulting in the defeat of the insurgents
with loss of thirty killed and many
wounded. The troops lost fifteen killed
and twenty-slx wounded.
The insurgents drew the troops into
an ambuscade in a densely wooded ra-
vine. Behind earthworks completely
masked with brush the insurgents
awaited the troops. Scouts sent for
ward by the Spanish commander were
allowed to pass, but when the troops
were well inside the ambuscade dyna-
mite bomb was suddenly hurled into
their ranks, killing several men and
wounding a number Of others, besides
almost causing panic. At first the
Spanish infantry gave way, being taken
so completely by surprise and seeing
many soldiers falling. without being
able to do more than fire apparently
into the thick bushes, from which came
the flashes of flame which told of the
presence of the insurgents. Later. how
ever, the troops rallied and made a
splendid dash forward and up the side
of the hills over the earthworks, driving
the insurgents before them at the point
of the bayonet and shooting them down
as they fled. Thus the enemy was
quickly silenced and the troops cap
works on both sides of the ambuscade.
where they found a number of boxes of
abandoned ammunition and several
rifles, etc.
A company of gendarmes and volun-
teerS engaged a detachment of insurg-
ents under the leadership of Capitole,
at the farm OF Fermin, in MatanZas
The insurgents left eight killed and the
government force captured a quantity
of arms.
Later the Spaniards pursued the in
surgents and killed eighteen more of
the enemy.
ALETTER FROM GOMEZ.
WASHINGTON, April 1O.-President
Palma OF the Cuban delegation in the
United States has made public the fol-
lowing letter received from General Co
rlez. the insurgent leader, regarding
war conditions on the island:
SAGUA, Cuba. March TO- 1896.
To Thomas Estrada Palma, Delegate
of the Cuban Republic: The war con-
tinues more active and hard on account
of the fierce character which General
Weyler has given to it. Our wounded
are followed and assassinated cruelty.
He who has the misfortune to fall into
the hands of the Spanish troops perishes
without fail.
The peaceful country people only find
death and dishonor Cuba today. as in
1868, only presents pools of blood dried
by conflagrations. Our enemies are
burning the houses to deprive us, ac-
cording to them, of our quarters for
spring. We will never use reprsals, for
we understand that the revolution will
never need to triumph by being cruel
and sanguinary. We Will go on with
this war; the ultimate result of which
you need not worry about-with success
for the arms of the republic. We fight
when convenient to us against an enemy
tired out and without faith. NY plans
are well understood by subordinates and
each one knows what to do.
Give us cartridges so that our sold
iers can fight. and you can depend that
in the spring campaign the enemy
will be greatly reduced and 1t will be
necessary for Spain to send another
army, and I do not know whether it
would he rash to say that perhaps
Spain has not the money with which to
do it, We have a great military ad-
vantage over the enemy in the incapaci-
ty of the majority of Gen. Weyler's gem
erals The fake official reports of sup
posed victories with which they cyni-
cally pretend to deceive themselves.
their government and the world, con-
tribute to the speedy triumph of the
revolution. No human work which has
for it's base falseness and infamy can
be either firm or lasting. Everything
that Spain orders and sends to this
land that she has drenched with the
blood of her children only serves to
ruin hei" power. and no man so we'll
chosen as Gen. Weyler to represent In