New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-15
.NrRAL DEMONSTRATIONS.
bsraet Of Mssoro!oJiedl Report FOR the snded a
Il. lS-2
COLONEL PoRTCoyD0S rIEWs or CUBA

AUTONoMIC GOVERNMENT FOR THE ISLAND IA
voRED BY THE SPANISH sENAToR-IHE con
SENTATIVE PARTY's OPPOSITION.
Colonel Bernardo PortuOndo arrived in this
city on the steamship Newport, Monday. from Ha
vana on his way to Madrid to resume his seat In the
Cortcs. Senior Portuondo educated for military
career and is colonel OF the engineer corps Of the
spanish army. He is about forty-two years OF age,
five feet eight inches in height, and his hair ia nged
with gray He very agreeable convcrsatonallSand
wfthal frank and unassumng. He has been a devoted
student OF the sciences, particularly Of mathematics
In the last session OF the Spanish Congress he advocated
able the concession to Cuba OF an aUtonOmc
form OF government similar 10 that OF Canada He met
with overwhelming opposition, the Colonial secre
tary Senior Leon Castillo opposing him. An oppOru-
nifty occurred for him 10 visit Cuba representative
OF Paris syndicate TO secure concession for building
a system OF railroads to connect Havana with Puerto
Principe and Cuba the Eastern terminus On his arrival
IA Cuba he was warmly welcomed by the Liberal party
Is its acknowledged staudard-bearer in the struggle
now being carried on for the political autonomy OF the
island tour Of inspection arranged through the
country, and every important town the leading mem
Of he Liberal party had prepared ovation 70 the
distinguished Senator. consisting Of welcome addresses,
sereuades and political speeches. The Constitu-
ona Conservative party took unbrage at the socalled
political agitation stirred by Colonel Poriuondo's
specche. in favor Of autonomy cOuuter-agation was
begun oy the shareholders and m0nOposts, and threats
were made 20 frighten the Colonel They without
effect, however.
In telling TRIBUNE reporter about his trip 70 Cuba,
Colonel Portuondo saii. Il weut there, have al
WAYS been moved By the desire to crafty
the lust political aspirations OF my conntrymen. wa
exceedingly well received and entertained by my CON
stituents II my trip degenerated into political eIcur-
sion was not to blame. The Liberals were br!mfd Of
enthusiasm for my dn advocacy OF their rights Every
thing passed Of pleasantly until my arrival at Puerto
a " Ia he ed he
position would rdicule AMI make glt Of our aims But
nobody dreamed that its members would seize upon a
local quarrel In Havana between two editors TO raise
hue and cry against the revolutionary tendencies Of my
speeches and dangers Of tho enthusiastic meetings
which greeted ne at turn. Cheers for autonomy
were gwen time and again, but It was perfectly proper
conveying the least auson to dsnt egration Of the
national territory, which only exists as hackueycd
bugbear in minds Of tie Conservatives so that they
can make capital out Of It In Madrid and throw
every obstacle In the way Of the REFORMS prom sed by
the Government IN the most solemn manner. ,,,,
The press or Cuba holds that autonomy n Aegal ana
that your agitation was Mtimed and extremely danger
That Is all buncombe. The Conservative organs use
dema gogc arguments 20 o'craNe the government ana
10 convey the Impression in Madrid that all natives, men,
women aud children, black or WHITE are rebels and as
sia l and Tariff bills are the rrGi questions be
settled IN cuba and the opposition y bound 10 defeat
these BIZ fair foul We shall pursue the even
OF our course and hammer away until some van
We're YOU compelled to leave Cuba FOR fear Of person
al violence r. .,,-- --,-.
" As remarked was not aware OF anything amisE
rpti left Puerto Principe for Santiago de cuba then
began 10 receive threatening letters warning me thht
did not desst my life would be In danger nave forty
OF them now In my possession. pad no attention 10
Them and gave lecture at Santiago before iul u'
euce which cheered and Otherwise deluohslfutNc
Having heard that persons lad been arrested ior
cheering for autonomy, / called upon the hOlefu"r'
and was assured that such not the case, though
proclamation fOrbiddng such cheers has since been
isau.d v Governor PandO. II rumOred at Santiago
that nv departure a particular day was by the com
nand OF the Governor, decided To remain several
DAYS longer and went TO Havana by the northern route
Instead OF the southern, On my previous journey On
nv arrival at Havana, the agitation by the jOhscrNA-
tIyes eliminated In circular, calling upon Al! good
I.r,is To meet front OF my hotel, IN the PARK
DID ~ wait the balcony and witness the proceed
ms really believing that II they were Spauards mere
va not tie last fear for ny self But my colleagues pre-
wa, Ell mon me 10 retire and pay no attention 10 tue
meeting or any other agOnistc demonstration mat
:'no You think Cuba will ever gain autonomic govern
mentf %, A. .,,..o ,,n,e or
otpe- II vii come and then the existing bonds between
he colony ana span will be dOuby strengthened lor
- Governor Is likely 70 occur LOW"
How do YOU ike Amrrich y ,,
Inns Is my first visit, and am very InucA p.e9seu
with IT, / expect 20 stay Ie" dAy lJ-.t, a. ~
tended to visit Niagara aud otner points OF interest