The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-01-28
THE CUBAN JIJyTA
Reports That the United States Has
Made Proposals to Spain.
TO DECLARE CUBA FREE
cubans Say That the Promises Of the KeyO-
lHtionists Are TO Be Guaranteed by
the Administration

/ New York. Jan. Z.-The Herald says
! information OF very startling character
I has reached the Cuban sympathlzers in
this city who are IN closest touch with
the revolutionary junta, whence the in
formation comes. Il II 10 the effect, az
alleged, that President Cleveland author
lied Secretary OF State Olney two or
three days ago 20 send a note to the
American minister at Madrid. In which
Mr. Taylor. the present incumbent, Is
Instructed TO present TO the Spanish min
ister OF foreign Affairs = Communication.
which accompanied the note. and which
contained a proposition upon the Cuban
question.
This proposition n, as alleged, that
Spain at the earliest opportunity with
draw her troops from Cuba: that the
Spanish throne recognize the absolute in
dependence OF Cuba, and Its existence as
republic: that the Spanish government
accept from Cuba a certain sum OF money
as indemnity: that Spain accept the guar
antee Of the United States that Cuba
will fulfil her obligations
| am told by those close TO the Junta
that this communication wa sdistinctiy
framed AS a friendly proposition. and
that II went on TO say that II Spain did
not accept this suggestion In the inter-
ests OF peace the United States would
ignore the repeated assurances OF her
trusted representatives in cpba, that
no danger threatened the property there
OF her citizens who reside In this coun-
try, and the iives OF Americans who live
in the island in view OF the late occur
rences in Havana, would dispatch war
ships to Cuba to safeguard Americans, a
far refrained from doing on account OF
its implicit confidence in the good will
and esteem OF the Spanish government
The communication Is alleged as having
been shorn Of everything that could bear
the slightest resemblance 10 a threat or
implied coercion. Nevertheless, the re-
ported reference as 10 doubt as TO the
security OF Americans in Cuba, should
Spain reject these alleged good Offices OF
the United States. and positive assur-
ances OF American war ships being sent
into Cuban waters, are said 10 have been
couched in firm language.
My informant tells me that there was
no attempt to disguise the attitude OF the
United States, and that In the construc
tion OF the communication the opportu-
nifty was taken 70 explain that It was
extremely possible that. for the purpose
OF exhibiting justness and fairness TO
both parties in the field in Cuba. this
country would finally be compelled by
force OF circumstances to recognize the
belligerent rights OF both.
II is reported that the work OF the /
Cuban legation at Washington has been |
fruitful. l saw Senior Estrada Palma. |
the representative OF the rebel provisional /
government Of Cuba, and he felt conn- /
Aksa .Nw.w~ ~. ~
means OF securing Cuban independence.
Morello's, No. West Twenty-N Ninth
street. He had made a flying trip from
TO this city and was TO
return today. / tried to get an express
sion from him concerning the sudden and
startling notice alleged by those deep in
the secrets OF the junta to have been
sent to Spain by the administration, but
he would say little on that subject He
remarked:
That is a very delicate matter. / am
not in a position to say what the adj
Is doing. / will say that !
have reasons to believe that our cause
will prevail. We have been treated with
he utmost courtesy by oil whom we
nave come in contact with. and | know
hat there is something grand in the air
,or free Cuba.
Now is the time for Spain to act II she
wants to prevent any more bloodshed and
ave herself from financial ruin. The
-uhans will erect gaaubllc out OF Gu
pas ashes IL they are forced to keep up
he struggle in the way It is going on,
but II the war is brought TO an end
,arly we will pay whatever sum-let us
all II acknowledgement be agreed upon,
. ~, fot. x.ra tn.nlr
cuba now. Spain would have TO turn over
o us many magnificent forts. public
and great improvements. We
'hould pay for these, and we would. We
understand the justice of that argument.
md have agreed TO 1t. But II the war Is
o continue and we finally take these
hings by force. then Spain cannot look
% us for any help She will have to
stand her own expenses. which Will be
something enormous, for We can wear
tut her resources without subjecting our
people TO slaughter"
saw S. c. Henriques OF No. lS9 Broad
way a gentleman who is deep in the
Of some OF the Junta leaders
1e said that while he did believe the
orce of congress would very soon bring
bout recognition of Cuban belligerent
lights. he did not believe the administra-
ion would enter upon any decided course
But" he continued. what | have
ieard within the two days has really stag
'ered me. 1t was more than ,ould bring !
myself to believe. II it is true, Presi-
lent Cleveland has gone very far toward
rowding Spain into corner have
eard that document Of some sort has
'een sent 10 Spain offering the services
4 this country as a mediator, the con-
itions being that Spain leave the field
nd accept pay from the new government
4 Cuba. and that the United States
you'd see that the terms of the agree
nent were carried out, I don't know
'hether 1t means that a protectorate
you'd be established over the island but
do not believe 1t does.
II believe this country would have
ound reasons for acting in the manner
hat rumor ascribes to the president and
ir, olney II the truth about the situa-
ion In Cuba had come to us before; but
he duplicity of Spain and the tactics of ..
ur consuls has caused the delay"