The herald., 1896-04-23
Cuba Will Accept Nothing Short
of Independence
SPANISH PUBLIC OPINION
Will Never Tolerate Intervention b.
the United States
1t Is Admitted That Secretary 0iney IL Nea
gotiating the Purchase sf Freedom
by the Cubans
Associated Press Special Wire,

Associated PreSS special Wuo.
TAMPA, Fla, April 22.-The dis
patches announcing that Cuba will get
home rule are received with scorn by
the Cuban colony here. Col. Fernando
Figuerdo, Cuban delegate to Florida
said SHOULD Spain ever proffer US
home rule it will be spurned. AS long as
Cubans live they will fight for liberty.
Absolute independence is what we want.
nothing else. Campos promised us home
rule in 1876, but it was never granted.
We are not to be bluffed again.
What they now offer is the law pro-
posed by Alburzuza, the minister Of
colonies, in March, 1885, and accepted
by the cortes, but never put into effect.
This measure was suggested by the
startling capture of Lagonda, Amadis
and Parawa at Fernandino loaded with
munitions of war for Cuba. Spain has
been 10th to concede that much to US,
but now thinks it the only redeeming
measurA ii they have our forces in
Cuba so scattered, bewildred and sur
rounded, why are they so eager to
grant any such concessions?'
WAR TO THE END
MADRID, April 22.-The newspapers
of this city discuss the rumors Of nego-
tiations between Washington and Mad
rid regarding Cuba. El Liberal thinks
that Spain might yield to the friendly
suggestion from the European powers
with Spanish sovereignty, but never
to the suggestion of the United States"
Ell Impartial says: IF the govern
ment tolerates the intervention of the
United States in Cuba the nation will
repudiate it,
The Nacional expresses the opinion
that the insurgents will not lay down
their arms, even in exchange for auton-
omy, and that, therefore, 1.-The only way
to terminate the rebellion is by arms,
and not by laws"
Th Nacional concludes: There is no
government in Spain which dare now
offer Cuba anything but bayonets and
bullets
TALK OF PURCHASE
CHICAGO, April GA special to the
Tribune from Washington says: In spite
of the official denials at the state depart-
ment, it is now wadmitted that a note has
been sent to Madrid by Secretary Olney.
An additional report is now in circula-
tion to the effect that this note was
forerunner of proposition on the part
of the president that Cuba should be al
lowed to purchase her Independence
from Spain, and that Senior Palma, who
is here, to be made minister of the
Cuban government as soon as his coun-
try's independence is gained, suggested
this plan to Mr.. Cleveland telling him
it would be satisfactory to the Cubans.
reservations from Spain of the promised
special reforms for the island.
AID FOR INSURGENTS
KEY WEST. Fla, April %. - The
schooner Competitor, commanded by AL
fred Laborde, left this port about mid
night last night with arms and men
for Cuba. The schooner carries sixty
Cubans and some Americans. She Is
said to have aboard 800 rifles. 600 revolv-
ers, 500 machetes and 100000 rounds of
ammunition.
The Competitor proceeded to Sugar
Loaf Key, twenty-five miles north OF
here, where more munitions and arms
were taken on board. 1t is said that the
Cubans waiting on Sugar Loaf Key
! have three rapid firing guns.
After getting the arms and men at
Sugar Loaf Key the Competitor was
to be met by the steam tug George W.
Childs, which had been engaged to tow
the schooner to Cuba. Laborde told his
friends the expedition would land in
Pinar del Rio tonight. The schooner
slipped out under the nose of the rev.
enue cutter Morrill,. When it was learn
that it carried arms and men the GUS
toms officers ordered the Morrill, to pur-
sue her, but the schooner had too good a
start to be overtaken. Alfred Laborde.
who commanded the expedition, is q
wealthy Cuban of Tampa.
PRISONERS PROSPECTS
HAVANA, April 22.-Capt Gen. Wey-
ler, it became known this afternoon,
has decided to release Albert Diaz and
his brother Alfred from custody on con-
Cuba. A dispatch from Matanzas says
that two American newspaper corre-
spondents, Messrs. O'Leary and Daily,
are detained by the authorities there. =