The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-03-19
TALK WIIH 4 CUBAN SENA TOR
Col. Portuondos Experience In Political
AgItntion ON the Isle Of Cubn.

The Hon. Bernardo Portuundo. member Of
the Madrid Cortes for tho eastern province OF
Cuba. aud Colonel of the Engineer Corps Of the
Spanish army. is here on his way from Havana
10 resume his seat In the Spanish Congress
after the 10Th inst. As he was concerned in the
recent political agitation in Cuba. his version
Of tho disturbance. and his views concerning
the political situation viii be found interesting
The Colonel 10 e man Of medium height and Of
~llgAt proportions. naable. courteous. anG
p.Htu about ~ years Old.
Awaiting myself of II Congressional recess"
he said. Il resolved to pay flying visit to
Cuba. with the two-fold purpose Of visiting my
native home and OF promoting the interests Of
u syndicate Of Paris capitalists for the con
structiOn OF u through line Of railway to con
meet Havana with Puerto Principe and San
tiago de Cuba. with branches 10 important
ports IN both coasts along the line. | am
crptrd Il nomination TO Congress only at the
eHTnert solicitation OF friends and kinsmcn
Ait,r ny election | supported a oil! granting
~ auiCGomic form OF goyernment 70 Cuba
The Colonial Secretary. Senior Leon Castillo
replied, thus. Investing my speech with undue
How we're you drawn into the political agi-
tat!%n y. the island we asked;
Well" the senator replied the reports
from Congress excited the liberals IN Cuba
lyon my arrival was Invited 10 receptions
hanIuets bulls, and meetings. The enthu-t-
control, Many inprudent partiSnns cheered
Justify for aGion@my. This Wa al proper and
constitutional bnt the shareholders and mo-
nopoistS, Dent upon preserving the status quo
in CUBA, took umb5sge. They Ir."l 10 suppress
me- and to offset the swelling influence Of our
party. rAey buSet the Goyernor-Cienc with
representations as TO the danger pt rupture
II the, public peace il cheers for autonomy
We're allowed. cnching their arguments with
threats Of dire ca!amities il the conservative
MA -scS oi the truly loyal were Goaird beyond
i"rbearanre. The Governor put them of. Al
| un lNs.f i'm ~
populace mad II torch-light proces sion. and
cheered little. The Havana pres denounced
m and tho whole proceeding making dark m
SlhuntlunS aga ms, me. u rrinlhG'i me- ~ Tie
fact that was Colonel in tho spanish army
pursued ny course pnd" .,},! to santlaso
4 crowded house. Some one cheercd for du-
tonomy, w4ic |. 70 counteract the bad effect
and 10 avoid trouble proposed cheers forSpain
and the King. They were. given with win"
,.Meru Eou thrcat"ned;' we askgd.
MI ahT o tSe S S9ae! pi4 geeHtyGq in
my life unless deslsted from asitating the
political question at issue. Now, you see. l
justified in all my acts by the Constitution Of
spgn, and only cowardee would have coun-
Did not the authorities bring pressure to
bear against you; was the next question
not coerc% me IN my legislative capoctty. when
! was ready tn come to Havana ruiaur said that
was acting under oni"ial coercion. To con-
tradicl II, / resolved to tarry few days longer
the southern route did 20 by the northern"
"Wcr" YOU molostcd further"
Not by tho Government" the Colonel said.
had u pleasant interview with prrnd -rgqsI
who assured me of support md sympNthy
whatever happened, but | politely declined
PROJECTION. entertaining no fears OF harm.
How abuut tho mass meeting and the tin
horn ser'aalG = wG inquired
An there was OF It WAS the printed notice for
surh meeting" tho Colonel replied, 1t was
t. be Acid in front Of ny hotel. tho Passage. |
waited on the balcony with s'yew political
friends for tn" performance butt did H9t come
on Afterward l learned that GOV Prenler-
CAST had taken measures 70 prevent it,
How about autonomy We asked.
In y nutshell" was the reply, the Minis
try +! pl.I; ed to ,lr complete political assimi-
!atIun o. Cuba 70 Spain, ana the difference be
tween thl- and autonomy Is slight, We viii
astblr Tho question INCREASINGLY, and IN time
W. viii win. The conservative W sh to keep
the stt"s and other monopul.rs. and tins -
III" Li-" 81 all opposition AMI ~ Itat on
When ~ You leave us Colonel q
Al ilv-l thought would 60 this week the
Colonel sad, Out J caGn@t withstand the
dos ne 20 see something 81 the country, and so
VIII leave neat week by the French steamer for
NdNrc. | -htil resume NY scat in Congress,
byrs OF nay unfortunate country