No. 420.
Mr. Fish to General Sickles.
Washington, August 27, 1873.
Sir: Your dispatches Nos. 670 and 672, of the respective dates of the 27th and 31st July, are not calculated to command confidence in the expectation of a satisfactory settlement of the troubles in which Spain finds herself involved, either in respect to her internal or colonial affairs or her relations with other powers. As to the former, we can but sincerely regret that the effort to establish a republican form of government does not give greater promise of success. The United States promptly and cordially extended its recognition and the moral effects of its sympathy to the new government. It has further manifested its friendly interest by abstaining from insistance in the presentation of complaints on account of the frequent failure of compliance with assurance of intended reforms in the government of Cuba, and of the reparation of wrongs to the persons and property of American citizens.
Recent information from Havana shows that the decree for the release of embargoed estates had not at a very late date been proclaimed, and that influences seemed to be at work to induce the withholding of the publication and the consequent nullification of the decree.
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The President has heard with deep concern and regret the announcement, said to be made by a member of the ministry of Spain, that no reforms will be granted, and no notice taken of the demands of the insurgents in Cuba, so long as they do not lay down their arms.
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In the interest of Spain, no less than in that of Cuba, in the interest of the United States, in the interest of humanity, the President hopes that such may not be the determination of Spain, and you will not fail to urge upon the ministry the tendency of such policy, and the importance [Page 1033] in the direction of pacification, and to the arrest of the further destruction of property and waste of human life, of the disavowal or abandonment of a policy so inconsistent with a possibility of a restoration of peace.
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It is therefore that it appears to us, as friends of Spain, of urgent importance that Spain, in the exercise of her historic wisdom, voluntarily recalled the inconsiderate declaration of a minister (if indeed it were made) that the granting of reforms to Cuba will not be entertained while the insurrection lasts, and the President desires that you impress in a friendly and delicate way the paramount importance of action rather than promise in the direction of reforms, of which the wisdom of the government at Madrid have more than once recognized the propriety.
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I am, &c.,