No. 636.
Mr. Fish to General Sickles.
Consul at Havana telegraphs that the report of further executions communicated by him and mentioned in my telegram of 15th is officially contradicted, and that until 13th the total number of executions was fifty-three, thus confirming minister’s statement in note to you.
Last evening Spanish minister communicated to me, by direction of his government, a telegram of yesterday’s date, delaring the resolution of his government to abide by the principles of justice and to observe international law, to comply with the letter of treaties and to punish all those who shall have made themselves liable to punishment regardless of their station, and to make reparation if right should require it, urging at the same time that a knowledge of facts is necessary to proceed with the judgment required by the gravity of the case, and that the news which had reached them, like that received here, must be confused.
The telegram to the Spanish minister is subsequent in date to the minister’s note of 17th to you, and may be regarded as a reconsideration or later decision of the government. Appreciating this fact, and determined to continue to be right in the position he has assumed, the President holds that the demand for a proper length of time to learn the exact state of the facts is reasonable. In view of this request you will defer your immediate departure from Madrid, and await further instructions.