This long-expected news has been received here with great satisfaction by all
parties. After the reading of the telegram in the Còrtes, a committee was
appointed to wait upon His Majesty the King, to offer their congratulations
on the important event. The committee was received by His Majesty yesterday
at twelve o’clock. The president of the Còrtes (Señor Ayala) delivered the
congratulatory speech, a copy and translation of which I beg to annex
hereto. The speech of His Majesty in reply has not as yet been published in
full, but a synopsis of it will be found following that of Señor Ayala.
The Gaceta of this morning published two royal decrees, dated yesterday, one
accepting the resignation of General Jovellar, as governor and
captain-general of Cuba, and the other appointing General Campos to the
position. The appointment of General Campos to this important post,
following so closely upon the reception of the news of the pacification of
the island, would seem to be a recognition on the part of the government of
the eminent services rendered by him as commander-in-chief of the army.
General Jovellar, as I am informed, is to be made secretary of war on his
arrival in Madrid.
[Inclosure 1 in No.
12.—Translation.]
Peace established in Cuba.
[From the Gaceta de
Madrid, June 8, 1878.]
[Telegram.]
To the President of the Council of Ministers and to the
Ministers of War and Ultramar, from the Governor-General of the Island
of Cuba and from the General-in-Chief:
Havana (without date). (Received
June 7.)
All the insurgent chiefs have accepted the capitulation, the majority of
the parties, of the oriental section and of the Tunas having laid down
their arms. The rest of them are concentrating in order to do likewise.
It is not likely that any armed force will be left, but some isolated
banditti may possibly exist.
The war may be considered as terminated. At the same time that we have
the extreme satisfaction of communicating to your excellency so happy an
event, we beg you to convey to His Majesty the King the manifestation of
our respectful adhesion, as well as of that of the army, and our
congratulations for having completely restored peace to Spain.
This definite result is, in a great measure, due to the efficient and
constant co-operation of His Majesty’s Government, which has not
permitted us to want either men or money; by having granted us ample
facilities; by approving our acts and by anticipating our wishes.
Be pleased to receive the expression of our special gratitude, and to
permit us at the same time to remember the former governments for having
defended with equal tenacity the cause of the integrity of the Spanish
soil, although without the good fortune of seeing (as has, the present)
the termination of the war.
- JOAQUIN JOVELLAR.
- ARSINIO MARTINEZ CAMPOS.
[Inclosure 2 in No.
12.—Translation.]
Speeches on peace.
[From Los Debates, June 9,
1878.]
In conformity with the resolution of the Còrtes, on Friday last His
Majesty was congratulated by the president and two secretaries, the
committee (selected by lot), and quite a number of deputies, who gladly
associated themselves in this act of expression of sentiments and of
courtesy.
His Majesty the King appeared with Her Highness the Princess of Asturias
as Her Majesty the Queen was slightly indisposed, and on occupying the
throne ordered the deputies to occupy the benches placed ad hoc in the royal chamber.
Mr. Ayala (president of the Còrtes), who was near the steps of the
throne, delivered to His Majesty the following speech, which has invited
attention, not so much on ac count of its remarkable eloquence, as by
the spirit of dignity, frankness, and liberality which pervades it and
gives it splendor, especially in its last sentences:
“Sire: Hardly had Congress heard that the
complete pacification of the Island of Cuba was an undoubted fact, than
it resolved to send a committee to congratulate Your Majesty on so happy
an event; for it is always grateful as well as honorable to share with
Your Majesty in the rejoicings of the country and in the hopes for its
future prosperity.
“It is just, sire, that we should at this solemn moment call to memory
the great efforts which, in spite of the anxieties of times past, all
the anterior governments have made in order to maintain the integrity of
the nation. In fact, sire, neither our misfortunes nor our discords nor
our sanguine dissensions have been powerful enough to withdraw the
attention of any one government from the danger that existed in the
Island of Cuba. Their main effort was to increase the means of
resistance in proportion as the attack was greater and more persistent;
they were not detained by any obstacles. There was a time, however, when
the soldiers (in order to go on board the vessels that awaited them in
the ports), in passing through some of our cities during our civil war
in the peninsula, were obliged to expose themselves to the fire and
bullets of the enemy. Once embarked, they went on With the determination
to defend the rights of those they left behind in a state of
anarchy.
“Unfortunately, the news of our civil discords somewhat neutralized our
effort by inspiring hope emong the insurgent soldiers, thus exciting
them to a prolonged resistance.
“Your Majesty is entitled to the pleasure and honor of being able to feel
the conviction that, on occupying the throne of your ancestors, you have
bestowed the most efficient element for obtaining the present victory.
The peace of the Peninsula has brought about the peace of Cuba, and they
both secure to Your Majesty the glorious title of Pacificator of Spain,
the most agreeable name to which a magnanimous soul may aspire.
“If, in the midst of your present satisfaction, Your Majesty recollects
the unhappy moments when you came to take possession of the throne so
worthily occupied by you; if you remember the afflictions the first
government of Your Majesty had to endure when you anxiously cast your
eyes on the map in order to find out the way through which Your Majesty
might reach the capital of the kingdom without endangering your precious
life by the enemies’ bullets—if you compare all those anxieties with the
peace that now surrounds you, and behold all the provinces of the
Spanish monarchy in their present quiet and peaceful state, as if
trusting in the noble influence of your magnanimous heart, in the noble
influence of your generous youth, and in your bright intellect, you
cannot but feel your heart moved, and conceive the earnest desire to
apply all your zeal, all your solicitude, and all the moments of your
life to the prosperity of this country, to the maintenance of the
constitutional monarchy, and the monarchial and liberal institutions
which, in spite of the past times of confusion, have conquered
absolutism and demagogism; for only thus, and not otherwise, can Your
Majesty worthily respond (as we all expect) to the hopes of the country
and to the high favors which Providence has already bestowed on
you.”
His Majesty with deep feeling said to the deputies that, the Cuban war
having terminated by the united efforts of all parties, marked a. new
era in our political regeneration.
“Peace,” said His Majesty, “has been obtained by the impulse of our
gallant Spanish army, by the decision of the volunteers, the loyalty of
the inhabitants of Cuba, the gallantry of the illustrious military chief
General Martinez Campos, the co-operation of the not less illustrious
General Jovellar, the high and most deserving authorities of the Great
Antilla, and, finally, by the unyielding resolution of the mother
country to support her noble banner in that Spanish province which was
emerged from the chaos of the unknown, christianized and civilized by
Spaniards. That holy peace,” repeated [Page 791] His Majesty, “will be sustained, and will fructify
by the patriotic perseverance which all parties have shown, and will no
doubt continue to show, in peace as well as in war.”
His Majesty lamented that oh ‘account of his high ditties he was not
permitted to share in America, by the side of the Spanish combatants and
at the head of the valiant army, the perils and fatigues of the
campaign, and to fulfill his duties as a soldier, as he had had occasion
to do in the peninsula.
“Eternal praise” added His Majesty, “be on the brave and resolute
sustainers of the Spanish flag in America and on the gallant chiefs.
Eternal praise be on all who, with a truly Spanish heart, have caused
the principle of national integrity to be triumphant in Cuba.”
His Majesty closed by asserting the warm impression made on his mind by
the patriotic speech delivered by the president of Congress, and by
eloquently expressing the hope that in the new condition of affairs
Spain might soon reach that bright future to which she is so much
entitled.
* * * * * * *
