Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-09
PALMA PLEASED
Thinks Presidential Message
Is Depressing to Spain.
Says Cubans Have Risked Their Lives
and Spilled Their Blood,
And Will Now Accept Nothing But Their
Absolute independence.

New York. Dec. S.-Senor Palma, del
egate of the Cuban republic in the
United States. today, gave out a state
ment regarding the reference to by
President Cleveland to Cuba in his an
nual message to Congress. Senior
Palma says:
Il think the message, generally
speaking, is in great measure very
Oppressive to Spain as an Independent
nation. The message acknowledges
the grievances which. have led to the
present revolt of the Cubans against
the authority of Spain. 1t supports
the Cubans in their distruSt of any
promise that the Spanish government
can make 10 them, and pledges the
guaranty of the United States as Sc
curity for any agreement which Spain
may enter upon with Cuba. President
Cleveland finally declares that the
patience of the United States in wait
ing for Spain to end the contest has a
limit"
las to the inference contained in the
message that the Cuban'S government
has now given up all attempt to ex-
ercise its functions. | shall only men
ton the fact to prove the contrary
that Immediately after the capture of
Guaimaro by Gen. Garcia President
Cisneros and cabinet proceeded to the
town and there issued and enforced
various DEGREES. some OF which related
to the treatment of prisoners and to
further military operations. AT the
time Gen. Gomez. commander-in-
chief of the army was only Is miles
from Guaimaro. receiving orders from
the government and making ready to
comply with them. This fact proves
beyond and doubt that the civil gov
eminent of the republic Of Cuba COM
mands the respect and obedience of
the military authorities.
IT remains for me TO say some
words about autonomy. Autonomy
would mean that the Cuban people
will make their own laws, appoint all
their public officers, except the gov
ernor general, and attend to local af-
fairs with entire independence. with
out. of course. Interference by the
metropolis. What then would be left
to Spain, since between her and Cuba
there is no commercial intercourse of
any kind? Spain is not and cannot be
a market for Cuban products. and is
iiicltoNSi ulieplt " BIONlut SuDd with
the articles needed by the latter The
natural market for Cuban products is
the United States, from which in ex-
change Cuba buys with great ad-
vantage, flour, provisions. machinery.
etc. What then. is left to Spain but
the big debt incurred by her without
the consent and against the will OF the
Cuban people?
ON the other hand, it is idle talking
to speak of autonomy to the Cuban
people. They have framed a consti-
tuition for sovereign nation, and they
have hravely fought for about two
years to maintain independence, shed
their blood in torrents, lost their dear
est relatives and friends and forfeited
their possessions to that just and no
bic end.
In the meantime the hatred of the
Cubans which the Spanish officers and the |
Spanish government have entertained as |
eNinced by the shooting in cold blood of
prisoners of war. in defiance of the laws |
OF civilization and humanity. by the |
massacreS of the defenceless people. in |
GLIDING women and children. by the over
crowdng with suspects of jails and dun |
geons and the deportation of thousands |
of them to the murderous penal colonies |
of Africa-all this, a policy of terror |
approved by the queen regent a woman. |
and a lady. who processes to be eminent |
ly IL Christian and a Catholic has deem
ened to such an extent the political abyss |
rent between Cuba and Spain, that it is |
absolutely impossible to fill it up with any |
sort of scheme which does not affirm the |
absolute Independence of the Cuban |
people.
Cuba has decided to get rid forever of |
the Spanish rule. and her people count |
neither their enemies nor the many |
patriots who daily succumb in their |
struggle. They go on. confident in the |
justice of their cause. the firmneSS of |
their resolution and the protection of |
God. They realize that they are in the
very centre of free America. left alone to
themselves, without IA hand outstreched
TO them but, far from being discouraged
they feel convinced of their ultimate
success.