New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-12
FREE CUBA OR NOTHING.
MEDIATION NOT ACCEPTABLE TO THE IN
SURGENTS.
MR. oUEsADAs COMMENTS ON THE REPORTED
INTENTIONS OF PRESIDENT CLEVELAND
TOWARD THE ISLAND.
rsY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNE.l

TOWARD THE ISLAND.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.1
washington, April n.-Gonzalo dc Quesada.
the representative here Of the Cuban Republic
said to-day In reference to the note addressed
to Spain by the United States suggesting media
ton on the part of this Government In Cuba:
"If It Is true that President Cleveland and his
Administration have addressed Spain on the
subject Of the Cuban war with view OF bring
ing about Its settlement by a species OF arbitra-
tion, I can safely say that such efforts VIII
come to naught. The Cuban people have been
fooled too many times by Spain to submit them
selves to any representations she may make
There was a time. perhaps. when home rule In
Cuba on the plan OF that exercised by the peo-
pie in the English dependencies of Canada and
Australia, might have been acceptable to our
people, but that time has passed half loaf
is not acceptable row to people who are sure OF
securing full meal Of freedom
but 1t Is useless to speculate on any such
a thing. Spain will never accept the services OF
a mediator, even II they are rendered by such
strong nation as the United States. She realizes
precisely the desperate condition she Is In. II
she loses Cuba by war. she ~ going to. she
will be irretrievably bankrupt among nations
The result would be the same II she renquished
in any degree ner despotic hold on the island
by means Of arbitration or anything else. be-
cause she would IOce her power to make the
Cuban taxes support her Government at home
Another thing stands In the way Of a peaceful
settlement Of the war by the granting OF home
rule to Cuba This would of course. make neces-
sary the withdrawal OF Spain's army. and with
this enormous arm Of her power removed from
the island. she would be unable to govern 1t
in her accustomed manner-and Spain would
never assent to giving up absolute sway, even
II she pretended to give our people the apparent
right to govern themselves
From what have seen OF the temper or the
American people this subject said Senor
Ouesada II do not think the rumored course or
President Cleveland, If 1t merely seeking re-
forms in Cuba which Spain may some day take
away from the island after the people are dis,
armed, will meet the approval Of the United
States public. The people Of this country, In my
opinion, are satisfied in their minds that Cuba
should be absolutely free.
Looking at the question of mediation In an
other way" continued Mr.. Quesada. 1t must
be remembered that the Cuban republic Is to-
day an absolute entity. 1t Is governing two
thirds OF the island OF Cuba, and Is daily gain
ing strength and extending its authority IL
would be for the Government to accept or re-
fuse any terms that might be offered. An article
OF It's Constitution says that no treaty OF peace
shall be made except or the basis OF independ-
ence. And you may rest assured that when the
revolution Is triumphing the CubGns are not going
to give up the struggle for anything less