Year: 1873

CORRESPONDENT We have called then. sir
(Sehor), to procure for the New York HERALD sucn
views as you might be disposed to give concerning
Minister SoLER,-I came here with that for my
primary object. Since my arrival have devoted
have CLEANED is freely at your disposal The fullest
ventilation OF this question Is what Is needed
Publicity can do nothing else but good; The press
public mind from indifference to earnest con-
sderation, OF matters vitally Affecting society
and civilization. ! would say, then, that
am not detected. The subject OF the abo-
tion OF slavery in this island appears
about through fair and peaceful compromise. so
many interests are involved and 80 numerous are
gestions ana expedients to reach anything ike a
practical method OF abolition which will steer clear
on the one nand OF inluring the national interests
processes OF emancipation as to make the ultimate
end OF slavery indefinite.


THE SHAREHOLDERS OPPOSITION.


CoRREsP0NDENT-You have learned the senti-
ment OF the slaveowners. How much and what
kind Of opposition do you apprehend from themp


Minister SOLER-I have met with grea many
OF the siaveowners bUtn here and in the interior.
~ cannot be denied there Is some opposition
among them. There are rebelliOus spirits who Will
concede nothing, who hope to frignten the govern
ment from its purpose; but let me say that the
the question in this light: Cuba is now the only
civilized country where slavery exists That iC
in the face OF the strong pubnc opinion, the Hood
TIDE o. indignant protest hurled against It, is
years longer is improbable. Seeing this, and
taking all the circumstances into account, ma
jority or the Shareholders Of Cuba, believe, are
willing TO meet the government and canvass the
their minds that the day for the Settle
postponed. 1t Is in the universal conscience OF
Spain as well as In the purpose OF the government,
70 that S never %
no longer be repr0ach to the nations by counte-
nancing and continuing slavery. have received
private telegram from Madrid stating that at the
next meeting Of the Cortes this question would be
taken up and, no doubt. settled. sent Tor one OF
the leading shareholders and told him what the
fixed purpose OF the government was. asked him
to call meeting OF slaveowners and let them de-
tbem ss prs I such the aDoon
slavery as would meet the design OF the govern
ment, which was disposed to treat them with every
possible consideration that was consistent with
the one object OF total repeal OF slavery.


NO RESULTS YET.


CoRREsPoNDENT-What was the result OF the


Minister SoLKR-Tne meeting was held, but its
results have not & as yet come INTO my possession;
will prove tractable II it were for no other reason
than that they see no resource for themselves ex-
ment Tney can no longer hold an attitude OF de-
iance, and they are sensible enough to see IT,


CORREsPONDENT-What plan OF your own have
you for the settlement OF this question:


Minister soaER.rne Err plan Is or the cortes That
and give them their due weight and considera-
ton. Then it will finally lay down q scheme which
turbance to all the interests concerned, but with
the sure aim OF aDollsning slavery in this island.


CUBA AND PORTO RICO.
CoRREsPoNDENT-Do you suppose the plan OF
emancipation adopted in Porto Rico would be fol-


Minister SoLER-The cases are different. In the
history OF the abolition OF slavery In different
countries You will md that the character Of the
methods employed. Porto Rico had only 10000
slaves. Cuba has 500. ooo In Porto Rico the male
the male white is IN minority. In Porto Rico the
conditions were such that the emancipation OF
10000 slaves IN the way y was managed anected
is much more wealth, the results would be differ
ent. sudden stroke OF emancipation would
throw great business interests out OF gear and
work deplorable confusion as well among the
slaves themselves as among the slave owners.


TINE OF EMANCIPATION.


CoRREsPoNDENr-Whatt time would you be dis.
posed to set down for this scheme OF aDohrlon to


Minister SoLER-T should say from I'VE to eight
or ten years. 1t is but short time in the history
Of q country, and by the provision OF this brief
space great misery might be avoided In the future
while all that we 80 anxiously desire would be fully
accomplished.


with gradual emancipation no shock will be given
TO the tobacco and sugar planting interests OF the
islandS


When the conditions are known and recognized
the future will be provided ior and class OF labor
introduced that VIII meet the requirements
state OF affairs. Your Southern States are
great U e many would | have supposed when free was
exchanged for slave labor There is unnecessary
apprehension on this head NY belief ell, s that the
arrangement Whatever. II is but reasonable to
suppose they will be less remunerative for time,
but the ultimate results and the grand consdera-
tion OF ALL that the extinction OF slavery wipes out
great moral offence against the laws OF Goa and
man, should outweigh all the selfish prudence Of
the present.


ABOUT HIS RESIGNATION.


CoRREsPoNDENT-What is the explanation OF the
report that you sent your resignation to Madrids


Minister S0LER.-It IS true l sent my resignation
home and it occurred in this way II called meet
ing OF the principal and most influential M
posesof my mission from Spain. told them
above all Things that / expected that they
authority at Madrid, and the Virglnius question
being then the chief subject OF thought, l ex-
nee eveTy rv nn TO the United ses
were obeyed, should should feel called upon Dy q
sense OF self-respect alone to send in my resigna-
tion. They did not exactly decline to obey, but
they evaded the Issue, and consequently found no
other course open but to resign. The resignation
has not been accepted. Matters have assumed
diYerent shape since then, and shall continue yet
q little longer to do my best towards carrying out
the important objects OF the mission entrusted to
island. You can hardly appreciate the sacrifices
have made to come here In the path OF duty
felt owed to the government that gave me its
confidence and to the country to which my ALE
glance and services are due


EnBARGoED PROPERTY OF AMERICANS.


CORRESPONDENT-The matter OF the embarg0ed
estates OF Americans Is something you must have
noticed as giving some anxiety to our govern
ment


Minister sorRR-on that head wish to say the
government feels every disposition to settle all
difficulties amicably. All compromises with the
United States in the matter viii be faithfully car
ried out.


THE SLAVERY QUESTION THE MAIN POINT


CORREsPONDENT-You are credited with coming
here to cure the financial evils OF the island


Minister SoLER-My attention has also been
given to that but the main point OF my mission Is
the slavery question. Tne financial troubles, the
insurrection, the outstanding dificuties with the
United States In regard to embargoed properties,
&c, are OF secondary Importance. When we have
settled the slavery matter the field will De clear
for ta attaud N evprvthtnp else. That stands