The morning times., 1896-12-09
IS MACEO DEAD ?.
Continued from First Page.

There is some ground, nevertheless, for
the supposition that the report is not true.
The officials here declare that while they
believe that both Maceo and Gomez's sons
are dead, they lack positive information
and are awaiting u confirmation OF tue
report. This, however, has had no effect
upon the popular Jubilation, and Major
Cirujetla is the nero of the hour.
1t is also reported that the rebel leader
Valencia was killed in recent engage
menb.
No comments have been published by the
local press on President Clevelands mes
sage to Congress, and no news has been
received 10 its effect in Spain. The
silence of the press here is attributed
to government Intervention, it not being
desired TO excite popular feeling against
the United States.
Madrid Dec S-The Havana core
spondent of the impartial has sent dis
patch to that paper which has caused re
joicinc among the people OF this city,
who take it for granted that the statements
made are true. The correspondent claims
that he has personally made an investiga
ton of reports current in Havana or the
death of Antonio Maceo, second in COM
mand of the rebel army, and the son of
MaXimo Gomez, the rebel commander-ln-
chief, and found them to be true. In Of
ficial circles the report is accepted with
reserve.
REPORT No1 bELlEN Ell.
The correspondent briefly gives the de-
tails of the defeat by a Spanish force of
1000 rebels near Punta Brava, about
twelve miles west of Havana The in
surgents loss is placed at forty killed.
1t has already been officially announced
about six times that Antonio Maeeo had
been killed, and there have been ruInors
innulnerable 10 the same effect. Hereto
fore it has been the custom Of the Spanish
officials in Havana to announce the death
| Of Maceo whenever he defeated the Span
lards, either in strategy or open battle.
No recent reports have been received OF the
death of the Cuban leader, and it is con-
jectured that the American correspon
dents in Havana, knowing the ways OF
Spanish Officials placed So little credence
in the report that they have not mentioned
it in their dispatches.
The report that Maceo has crossed the
trocha and is moving westward TO Join the
forces OF Gomez may have prompted the
| Spanish officials 10 circulate the statement
that he was dead in order to calm the
excitement certain to be caused by the
knowledge that the Cuban leader had again
outwitted Captain General Weyler.
The message of President Cleveland to
Congress. wherein he treats Of the Cuban
question, has created a bad impression in
political circles and depressed the bourSe.
The full text of the Cuban section of the
Associated Presses. consequently no doubt
is entertained as to the accuracy OF the
statements made by MIR. Cleveland.
In government circles great reserve is
maintained, none OF the officials displaying
Willingness to discuss the subject at any
| length, though some satisfaction is ex-
| pressed that the messag ge does not in any
way advocate the absolute independence
| of Cuba, ana does not support the proposal
| to recognize the insurgents as beiigerents
The opposition papers are greatly irri-
| tated by the threat of Intervention ON the
part Of the United States unless Spain
| speedily suppresses the rebellion. They
declare that Spain is fully able to avert.
such action.
SENIOR PALMA'S STATEMENT
New York, Dec. S.-SenoT Tomas Estrada
Palma, delegate of the Cuban republic in
the United states, gave out a statement
| today regarding the reference by President
| Cleveland to Cuba in his annual MESA ge to
| Congress. Senior Palma, in his statement
| says:
| Il think that the message, generally
| speaking, is in great measure very de
presSive to Spain as an independent nation.
| The MESA ge 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 whatsoever tlidt lIit GpdIlSn gov
| ernment can make to them, and pledges
the guaranty OF the United states as a
! security for any agreement which Spain
| may enter upon with Cuba.
| President Cleveland finally declares,
| without hesitation, that the patience Of
| the United States in waiting for Spain to
| end the contest has limit that the obi
| cations to the sovereignty OF Spain will
be superceeded by higher obligations
| and that consider at ions of hui
| uianity and a desire to see a rich and fertile
| country, Intimately related To the United
| States, saved from complete devastation
| will subserve the interest sthusinvolved and
at the same time promise To Cuba and its
| inha abitantS an opportunity to enjoy the
| blessings Of peace.
EXERCISING ITS FUNCTIONS. '-''
LAS to the Inference contained in the
| message that the Cuban government has
now given up all attempt to exercise its
| functions, ] shall only mention the fact to
| prove the contrary. that immediately after
the capture OF Guaimaro by Gen. CaliXtO
| Garcia, President Cisneros and his cabinet
| proceeded 10 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-chicr of the army, was only eight miles
| from Guaimaro, receiving orders ffc Ill The
| government and making ready To comply
| with them. This fact proves beyond any
doubt that the civil government of the re-
| public of Cuba commands the respect and
| obedience of the military authorities even,
as in this case, superSeding victorious
| general in the very moment of his triumph.
| lit. remains for me to say some words
| about autonomy. Autonomy would mean
| that the Cuban people will make their own
laws, appoint all Of their public Officers,
| except the governor general, and attend to
the local affairs with entire independence,
without, Of course. interference by the home
| government. 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 fol-
Cuban products, and is moreover, unable
| to provide Cuba with the articles in need
by the latter. The natural market for
the Cuban products is the United States
from which in exchange Cuba buys with
great advantage flour, provisions, ma
chinery, etc. What then, 1 repeat, il
left to Spain but the big debt incurred
by her, without the consent and againS,
the will of the Cuban people? s..
NO AUTONOMY FOR CUBA.
ION the other hand, it is idle talk
ing to speak of autonomy to the Cuban
people. They have framed a constitu
ton for a sovereign nation; they have
bravely fought for about two years tC
maintain their independence, shed theiI
blood in torrents, lost their dearest rela
tives and friends and forfeited their posses
sions to that just and noble end.
| In the meantime, the hatred of the
Cubans which the Spanish officers an the
Spanish government have entertained a.
evidenced by the shooting in cold blooc
of prisoners of war, in defiance of the
laws of civilization and humanity, by the
massacres of defenseless people, including
women and children; by the overcrow ding
with suspects OF the jails and dungeons