Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-08-05
HOME RULE OR REVOLUTION.
Two Parties in Cuba, and What the are Con-
niying At.
New York Tribune.

Following in the footsteps of the Irish
people, the Cuban people have been try
ing to obtain home rule for Cuba from
Spain. The Spanish ministry have had
the matter under consideration, and
few days ago concluded that Cuba must
still continue under Spanish rule. The
rejection of the home rule proposition
was to have been the signal for another
uprising of Cucans, and great prepare
tions had been made for carrying it into
effect. During the winter meetings were
held in New York, Philadelphia, and 9th
er cities, where any number of Cubans
live, and money was raised IN large
amounts for the prosecution of the war
for independence. But the movements
of the Cubans in the United States, Next
CO, and Jamaica have been greatly re-
tarded by the birth of a new party in the
island, which agitated the home rule pol
icy and put it before the ministry of
Spain for its action. The home
ule party desires to procure local self
fighting and bloodshed. On the contrary
the Cubans living in countries outside the
domains of Spain are anxious to stake
their lives and property on the result of
another revolution. When King Alfonso
L.
volved upon regency the hopes of the
Cubans were aroused to high pitch and
they thought that the time for action had
arrived. 1t was expected that the Carl
list party would rise in Spain and that
the army would berequired at home to
restore peace and preserve the rights of
the royalists. But the Carlist party did
not rise and the preparations made
by the Cubans in this and other coun-
tries to descend upon the island at the
moment internal warfare had been de-
clared were all for naught. But the Gu
bans have waited patiently for years and
they have evidently made up their minds
that all that they can do is to have every
thing ready for action aed declare war
the moment that an opportunity presents
itself.
few days ago Gen. Rafael Rodriguez
who was a brigade commander in the last
revolution, left New York for Key West
He had been here in consultation with
the Cuban leaders, and it is understood
that he bore letters and documents from
Gen. Gomez, commandments of the
Cuban forces. Following closely on the
heels of his departure came tho discovery
of nearly one hundred pounds of Hazard
rifle powder on pier No. 1, East river, at
midnight on June %. Two young men
were seen lettering on the pier to which
the Steamer Niagara, that runs to Cuba,
was fastened, and when a policeman ap
preached them they ran away, leaving the
powder. The company was Informed,
but denied having lost any powder The
clsrk on az adjoining pier says that a
steam launch come up from Ellis island
in the early evening and lay alongside
the Niagara. The launch had on board
two tons of powder. 1t was thought by
he police that an attempt had been made
o smuggle the powder on board the ship
| and that it was done by Cubans.
Col. Jose Magriel Parraga, leading
Cuban, when asked concerning the pow
der, said he did not know that any had
been found. He was greatly incensed,
however, because a story had been print
ed naming the places where the insur-
gents were to start from: Jamaica, San
Domingo, Mexico, and Turks island. He
continues:
"My people will think that I am spy
because of this article, as I gave some in
formation on the subject. But I did not
mention where any expedition will start
from. Do you think that [ am fool
enough, after all that has been gone
though, to tell the Spanish consul all our
plans? We are only waiting now the
wishes of our people in Cuba; if they say
fight, fight it is. No expedition will start
from the United States, as we respect the
laws of this country. I will say this
much, everything is in readiness for
war, and we will move when the word is
spoken"