Year: 1873

Capuan retreat of the Roman Emperor SO
especially attractive. The powerful Colonel
OF the volunteers, whose influence outweighs that
Of the Captain General, was not at home. The
languid guardian OF the porte coclere informed us
that His Excellency was not likely to be found at
home during the remainder OF the day, but that in
the early morning we might succeed IN meeting
him at his ONCE. 1t was at the entrance OF the
court yard, at one side OF which several carriages
were drawn up, while in the centre three chestnut
brown horses paved the pavement, that we sat
smoking our cigars in the cool and early morning,
awaiting the great mans appearance in his recep-
tion chamber. The signal given we assembled to
the first story, and, passing through low-roofed
room and over bridge that spanned the entrance.
found ourselves in the presence of the mighty
slaveowner and the principal inspiration Of the
Casino.


Talk as people may, the Spaniards have some
excellent traits OF character. There is hospital
ity in their address that the stranger feels in the
tenderest fbres OF his heart and what could be
more generous than that full offer OF kindly wei.
come NM casa eSta d su disposition" (my house is
at your disposaD


APPEARANCE OF HIS ExCELLENCY


Senior Zulueta Is q man Of about so years, some
what tall, and though o colonel OF volunteers,
bears nothing Of q military appearance. He came
from Spain many years ago. and worked himself
up 10 his present high position OF wealth and in
nuence. He is a trine like Ben Wood, sallow in
complexion, with q silver-colored moustache and
large eyelids that shade hts vision almost en-
tirely. He is sensble-looking man, who
might be the father of o large family and
the proprietor Of a conservative hotel.
This rich man, rich as your Stewarts or Wander
birs had no external indications OF his wealth.
His dress was simple suit OF white linen and the
furniture Of the room was Of the most ordinary
character. He was anable and communicative,
and, the storm over that shook this city like an
earthquake, he spoke with an absence OF passion
and prejudice that was alike remarkable and un-
looked for. He recognized your resident CORE
spondent with smile, and when the three OF US
were seated the conversation which follows was
begun and continued in Spanish with fluency and
funess tnat left nothing to be desired on the score
of abundant enlightenment


THE INTERVIEW.


CORRESPoNDENT--RecogniZ you as the most
important member OF the Casino, we have called
to inquire, for the HERALD what your views are in
regard to slavery and on the present state of af
fairs in Cuba.


Senior ZULUETA-I am sensible OF the Importance
OF this question Of slavery and can arord to say
i am as deeply interested in 1t as any man on the
island. The principal shareholders OF Cuba recog-
nize the fact, as do that the abolition OF slavery
must come sooner or later and we are prepared TO
meet the question in a practical and conciatory
spirit. or course there are a few who shut their
eyes to this necessity, and will not tolerate
ton Of the abolition OF slavery, but, in the long
run, they must be governed by the sense Of the
majority. am involved to the extent of several
millions OF dollars, and the sacrifice should be
called upon to make would naturally place me In
r,nIic ycfSh Sha b,,tV
am as much disposed as any man can be to adopt
plan that win rid us OF the odum of slavery while,
at the same time, affording us some measure OF
relief from the embarrassment that would neces-
sarily follow


THE COMPLETE EMANCIPATION
OF our slaves You must bear in mind that we can
expect no indemnity from Spain. as Spain is not in
q condition to afford 1t. The loss to us would be
very great, not so much in the forfeiture OF the
slave property as IN the tremendous decrease OF
production which would follow the abolition Of
slavery. There is an immense amount Of capital
invested in this island in sugar and tobacco plant
ing. What 1t would yield under another form OF
labor is apparent to anybody. 1t would necessarily
furnish smaller percentage OF profit; but, even so
there is majority Of the savenoders, as am in a
position to know, who are willing TO forego the
profits to attain the position or being re-



tries. The thing TO be deplored is that
those who have to legislate for this island
know so little OF the slavery question In the pas
sage OF the Moret law the home government struck
out the provision that negroes over 60 years OF age
should be maintained dressed and assisted in
sickness until their death, either by their former
owners, If they desired to remain with them, or
Others who chose to take charge OF them. Now we
were perfectly willing to accept this provision.
We knew what the opinion OF the civilized world
would say II we decreed emancipation and gave 1t
only the


FEATURES OF INHuMAN1TY.


The other day deputation of shareholders from
Santiago de Cuba came here TO propose the neces-
sity OF establishing hospital at the expense OF
the State for negroes over go years. Had
that provision been adopted there would
be no occasion for establishing hospitals.
The owners would have seen to the protection OF
the slaves after they had passed the limit OF go
years. Thus It is that in the discussion OF this
question in Madrid the practical points to be OBJ
served are more or less ignored. To handle the
question properly there should be some acquaint-
ance with the actual workings OF the slave system
ON this island. However much I may see the ne
ccsslty and morality ofts abolition, cannot claim
TO represent the sentiments OF Others though my
conviction Is that great many feel as do.
PLAN OF ABOLITION.


CoRREsPoNDENT-As you are one OF the most
deeply interested, what might be the plan, If any,
you have in contemplation for the abolition OF
slavery


Senor ZULUETA-On a former occasion we dis
cussed this matter over. Lately we had meeting,
in response to tue call OF Minister SoIer, at which,
however, there were only 81 Shareholders present,
aud nothing dennitive was accomplished, The