The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-04-22
Altogether Too Late In the Day for That
Says I. Estrada Palma.


New York, April 21.-T. Estrada Pal
ma, president of the Cuban revolution
airy junta, tonight gave out the follow
ing address TO the people OF the United
States:
The persistency with which the
American press has during the last few
days been treating the supposed admin
istrative reforms to be introduced in
Cuba by the government Of Spain COM
pels me 10 request the publication OF
the following declaration which / make
in behalf of my government, OF the
army of liberation OF Cuba, and of the
Cuban revolutionary party:
THE question of the supposed re-
forms is not a matter which at all con-
Germs those who have already establish
ed an independent government in Cuba
and have resolved TO shrink from no
sacrifice or property or life in order to
emancipate the island from the Span
ish yoke. II the Spaniards resident in
the island, who are favored by the
Spanish government with all sorts OF
privileges and monopolies, and If the
handful of Cubans, to pusillanimous
or too proud to acknowledge their er-
ror, or few foreigners guided only by
selfish interests, are So tiSfied that Cuba
ton. we who initiate under the flag
of the solitary star; We who already con
stitute the republic of Cuba and belong
to free people, with its own govern
ment and its laws, are firmly resoly-
ed to listen 10 no compromise and 10
treat with Spain only on the basis or
absolute independence for Cuba. II
Spain has power 10 exterminate, then
let her convert the island into a vast
cemetery; if she has not, and wishes 10
terminate the war before the whole
country is reduced to ashes, then Leu
her adopt the only measure that will
put an end to 1t, and recognize our in
dependence. Spain must know by tn s
time that while there is a single living
Cuban with dignity-and there are
many thousands of them-there will be
no peace in Cuba, nor even hope for IL.
'.All good causes must finally triumph
and ours is a good cause. 1t is the
cause of justice treated with contempt,
or right suppressed by force, and OF the
dignity OF people offended 10 the las
DEGREE
We E-Fe thrown ourselves into the
struggle advisedly and deliberately; we
knew what we would have TO face and
we decided to persevere until We should
emanclpate ourselves from Spain. And
we knew that we were able TO do IT,
as we know we are competent 10 gov
ern ourselves. Experience has taught
US that as a people we have nothing
TO envy the Spaniards. in fact, we feel
ourselves superior to them and from
them We can expect no improvement,
no better condition.
I'VE regard 10 the knowledge Of mod
ern institutions and Democratic senti-
ments we are far more advanced than
the SpaniardS. In this respect and In
many others we have nothing in COM
mon with the Spanish people. We are
Americans; we breathe the pure air OF
free institutions and We contemplate
with envy the government OF the peo-
pie. by the people and for the people"
Madrid. Spain. April 21.-The rumor
OF the granting Of reforms for Cuba by
the Spanish government are much dis
cussed by all sections OF the political
world here. The supporters OF the
government declare the ministry hiss
not changed its line OF conduct but thar
Il viii submit its proposals 10 the cham
hers.