Year: 1870

That Famovs Siclies NOte-Some Cabinet


Revelations Regarding tho Negotiations for


the Sale Of Cuba.


1t is singular that some newspapers keep repeat
ing the 80 frequently dsproyed story that General
Slckles really wrote . letter TO Regent Serrano In
forming the latter that by day certain should not
the Spanish government consent to the sale OF Cuba
to the United States, the revolutionary party would
be recognized by President Grants administration.
General sckles did address any such letter 70
the Regent but as so much has been said and writ
ten on the subject, and 30 little OF the
truth given To the public IL may be well
to furnish you with reliable Information that
is now IN my possession. Before tho death
or Secretary Rawlins the subject OF Cuba and the
propriety OF according or Withholding belgerent
rights were frequently discussed at Cabinet meet
ings Fish, Boutwell, and Hoar were opposed to
granting belligerent Rights holding that the Cubans
had not carried their attempt at revolution to that
point which would enable to say that the revolu-
tionists were wagng real war and that they mad
really organized and put IN operation government
OF their own. Rawlins aud Creswe were for
more liberal course in regard to the CuDans. They
believed latter han entitled themselves to bei-
gerent rights and that our government should en-
courage them by the weight OF its sym
pathy ana moral influence. Al one meet
ing quite q stormy discussion occurred re-
garding the proposition to purchase Cuba.
Rawlns became warm and urged the sending OF o
despatch TO sckles, instructing him to write note
to the spanish government informing it that unless
tho purchase OF Cuba were consented TO within .
fixed period the United States would recognize the
revoutonists. Secretary Fish opposed this peremp-
tory proceeding. and was backed up in bis argu-
ments contrG By Boutwell, and Hoar. But Rawlins'
enthusiasm carried the day. Grant himself was
always disposed to deal liDeray with the Cubans.
and hence gladly sustained Rawlins in his manly
attitude towards Spain. The result was that Fish
was directed TO send dcsNtch to Sckles acquant
ing HIN with the wishes OF the President.
Sckles, however, acted more cautiously than
was expected Of him. Instead OF addressing
a strong note to Serrano he contentod himself
with merely telling the Spanish Foreign Secretary
in familiar conversation that II was probable our
government would very soon grant recognition 10
Cuba unless the proposition TO sell the island the
United States should be accepted speedily. Just
about the time this. interview occurred the repub-
lican outbreaks ut Barcelona and other points OF
Spain heightened the embarrassmsnl1of Serrano
and Prim. These two statesmen agreed that It
would capital way to divert the attention OF the
spanish people from the republican outbreak by
turning attention to the Insulting proposals from
the United States 70 partvwitn spanish territory
under threats" by getting up popular CRY against
tho United states they shrewdy calculated that no
notice would bo taken or the republican uprising,
and 1t could be crushed out without noise IN
the newspapers other quarters This plan
was adopted Serrano told the Spanish
editors how TO proc eed, and accordingly
one fine morning the world was startled py the war.


IKE articles against Uncle Sam that filed the Spanish
journals all over SPAN. The suddenness OF this
anii-American howl and the remarkable unanlmity





duced in day throughout Spain. have very good
reason to believe that Serrano and Prim explained
the game to Minister Slckcs confidence OF course
ana that Sickles. while he did nothing to help IL.
still refrained from saying word that would ex-
plain the real situation OF AFFAIRS When you read
this despatch, bearing IN mind what sent You yes
terday regard to the proposed re0pening OF the
negotiations for the sale OF Cuba you will have the
KEY to the secret Orkings OF our diplomacy with
| Spain.


Inactisity of the Committees.


There IS Il good deal OF complaint among those
! Senators and members VINO remained here during
| the recess the small amount OF work done by the
committees, who, 1t was said, would be In session,
and at whose instance the recess extended from
the time first agreed upon TIL next Monday. With
the exception OF the House Committee on Appro-
priatiOns none of the other committees have been
In session. The Ways and Means was to have met
to-day to finish the Tariff bill and to revise the
Internal revenue law; but several members were
absent and nothing was done. The Senate commit.
tee having the Census bin IN charge has made no
progress with that measure. Altogether the COM
mittees have followed the example OF the mass OF
congressman and taken 1t Had this been fully
understood the Senate would probably have refused
to consent TO so long recess as nothing has been
gained by It,



ing rom their tour OF investigation. They dsclaim
having had any intention Of changing the site
already selected for the New York Post ONCE.
Their only object they assert was to ascertain how
much OF an appropriation would be necessary to
complete the Post once buildings In New York and
Boston and to adopt measures 10 have 1t honestly
dsbursed They decided to restore to the proposed
edlfce In New York the II 900 superficial feet which
had been taken away by the latest plans agreed
upon, SO to make the building larger. This, 1t IL
stated done at the Instance OF Postmaster jones'


whose testimony showed that all the space contem-
plated would be necessary. The committee took
testimony that viii cover 400 printed pages The
appropriation necessary for the buildings In New
York and Boston SIX millions, In addition to tnat
already appropriated. IL is to be borne mind that
this Is the statement furnished by the committee,
and not volunteer explanation by your, CORE
~
Changing the Positions Of Army Officers.
A circular has been issued by Secretary Belknap


to the heads OF bureaus IN HIS department directing


that the number OF officers OF the stan corps duty
IN Washington in the large cities and at depart
ment headquarters be reduced; also that officers
who have been on duty In washington two years or
be relieved by other officers who have been
duty at stations away from Washington, each head
OF bureau retaining one oticer as an assistant
who may have been on duty two years. After
the new details are maue they Will ast three
years. AS many officers have money other pro-
pery accounts time must be given them to settle up,
and hence the order will be issued during The pre-


sent MONTH to take effect March 81. The justice OF
this action Will be appreciated, as it establishes
sort OF rotation In the enjoyment OF the comforts OF
civilized lie by olcers who have been the ais
agreeable and thankless duty OF campaigning on the
frontiers or probably vegetatlng IN frontier earri-
sons. II does not, however, follow that the same
NUMBER OF officers viii be detailed to take the
,la nf ghnaa For