MR. GILPINsaid, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If the attention of Her Majesty's Government has been called to the sacrifice of life in Cuba, where, while two large armies are contending together and desolating the Country, it is stated that no prisoners are taken and no quarter given; and, whether it would not be practicable, in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government, in the interests of humanity, by friendly communications in concurrence with other Powers, especially with the Government of the United States, to stop the sacrifice of life, or at least to mitigate the horrors of civil war?
MR. OTWAYreplied, that the attention of Her Majesty's Government had been for some time directed to the state of affairs in Cuba, and the fierce- 395 ness with which, the contest had been carried on in that island. The Spanish Government had expressed themselves confident of being able to put down the insurrection; and, certainly, the insurgents had never succeeded in occupying any place of importance. The intervention of Her Majesty's Government in this contest would, under any circumstances, be difficult, and in the present state of things would be inopportune. Her Majesty's Government would, however, gladly avail themselves of any occasion which might appear favourable for rendering the services to humanity which the hon. Gentleman had suggested; and he need scarcely add that it would be very agreeable for Her Majesty's Government, should such an occasion arise, to receive the co-operation of the Government of the United States in such a work.