Countless innocents were slaughtered during the Ten Years War in Cuba

Cuba

SECRETARY OF STATE Hamilton Fish had to act. President Grant was anxious to provide the Cuban revolutionaries with belligerent status. This would allow the revolutionaries to negotiate and trade with the United States on an equal footing with the Spanish. The House of Representatives passed a resolution supporting it. Without this status, American officials would be obligated to remain neutral in the bloodbath in Cuba known as the Ten Years War. If Grant fumbled this delicate diplomatic ploy, and Fish was convinced that he would, it was likely that the United States would end up at war with Spain.

Countless innocents were slaughtered during the Ten Years War (click to enlarge)

In June, 1969, while President Grant toured the country, Fish initiated his own plan. He drafted a proposal and appointed a special envoy to Spain, Paul Forbes, to accompany the Minister to Spain, Daniel Sickles, to present the plan in Madrid. Fish proposed (1) Spain was to recognize Cuban independence; (2) Slavery was to be abolished in Cuba; (3) Cuba would indemnify Spain in the amount of $100 million (to be guaranteed by the United States); and (4) Each side was to recognize an immediate cease fire. In a letter to Sickles, Fish enumerated his rationale. Besides the fact that the United States should be committing to support all legitimate struggles for independence, the violence on the island was threatening American as well as Spanish business holdings there. He encouraged the Spanish to acquiesce to his terms by threatening belligerent status for the rebels if the government in Madrid failed to agree.

In truth, Fish had no intention of granting belligerent status to the rebels. He could always find another excuse to delay if Spain procrastinated.

Spain agreed to Fish's proposals provided that the rebels observe the cease fire first. Spanish pride got in the way again. The Spaniards were willing to leave only after everyone agreed that they could defeat the rebels if they wanted. By laying down their arms, the Spaniards could accept their “surrender” and then sail home with their heads held high. The rebels, of course, had no assurance that the Spaniards would honor the other terms of the agreement once they laid down their arms. They were at an impasse.

Fish had no choice but to withdraw the American proposals. There ensued a series of communiques between Spain and America, containing offers and counteroffers, threats and counter threats. It was obvious that neither side was prepared for war thus, the status quo was insured and the blood bath in Cuba continued unabated.

Diplomats from both countries were at a loss to find a solution until one was thrust upon them when an American ship, the Virginius was seized by the Spanish navy.