The San Francisco call., 1896-05-12


eral party, far from restraining the secession
ists gave them impulse TO resort to arms with
the intention OF preventing the application of
the reforms. From the first moment that was
understood by the illustrious general to whom
the pacifcation of the territory entrusted.
The same declaration was made to his Gov
ernment by the agent of the United States, who
SAID that the reyolutionists, seeing in the re-
forms great advantage to their country, quick
ened the movement in order to prevent their
aspiration of creating an independent state
becoming impaired.
The rebel chiefs, principally the foreigners
and the colored, did not wait long to say that
they did not attach Importance to political,
economical or administrative reforms, no mat
ter how liberal, even the most extended form
of home rule, if they had TO submit to the
sovereignty OF Spain, and the good and pros
perity OF the Cubans was nothing TO them
On the contrary that class of revolutionists
showed themselves the encouragers of the
groups of bandits that formed the nucleus OF
their forces, destroying private property, burn
ing towns without defense and making public
that they will destroy the island if they are
unable to conquer the public power, and that
they will thereafter dispute with arms in hand
eternally.
What the consequence would be of the sub
stitu ton of sovereignty of Spain over races
nearly balanced and with irreconcilable char
acter there is no statesman who will not fore
see. The final result would be that Cuba would
make a step backward in civilization. 1t
would be an error to imagine that the interests
of the country could in such conditions pros
per or continue in existence.
The Spanish nation in the meantime is not
going to be Indifferent TO the future of those
of her sons misguided by improvident polit-
ical ambitions, and she will not abandon
the mission of civilization that she has
taken upon herself and that she has up
TO the moment accomplished and her history
and honor impose upon her; much less will
she deny the rights and advantages demanded
with reason by those Inhabitants of the An
titles who, forming the different political
parties. have Indignantly condemned the in
surrection from the first moment, being
morally and materially by the side of the me-
tropolis, and have shed their blood for her.
There are also many who only by fear have
Joined the rebels, and who are beginning to
profit by the facilities afforded them by the
state of Generalization of the insur-
rection to come under the nations
flag, and there will not be before
long many who, convinced of the impotence
of their efforts to suppress the sovereignty
OF Spain, but will return with a peaceful
spirit TO their homes TO become good citizens.
To them Spain will always extend her open
arms, after her dignity and authority are safe
for the maintenance OF which she has made
and will repeat when necessary sacrifices
which have not been equaled.
In the meantime it is not just to suppose
that the present Government has not enforced
the reforms for a lack of love for them. He
(the King has had in their enactment as grea.
share as any other. In the first instance it is
to be noted that 1t was not possible to do this
without profound study and preparation, be-
cause it completely changed all the laws in
force.
On the other hand, the rapid spread of the
insurrection, long in preparation, in spite of
Spain, having restored and increased in a mar
velous way in Cuba, the production destroyed
by the past war very soon broke the unanimity
of sentiment with which the law of the 18th
of March, 1895, had been approved.
That was first demanded by the more ad-
vanced OF the Cuban political parties, which
had given its votes in the Cortes and which
presented first to the Governor-General and
afterward 10 the Madrid Government plan
of considerable modification to the reforms,
as if their spirit Of action was not more the
same than before the war.
The same thing was made public by politi-
cal group, which called itself Reformist pre-
senting to the Government in Madrid project
OF Congress of great importance also, and the
late chief of the said group declared that the
application of the reforms voted was incom-
patible with the state of rebellion.
Finally, the worthy general that governs
Cuba, disposed, as his predecessor always did,
TO obey all the orders OF the Government, is
also convinced, as the Cuban conservatives
are, that the Endorsement of reform laws which
have been promulgated, far from serving to
bring peace, will make il more difficult.
From all this 1t is deduced that those re-
forms, not satisfying anybody, for the future
their immediate application, even if it were
possible to enforce them completely, will not
obtain good result with a direct epplica ton
of them.
Even their enforced essay in Porto Rico, as
they are all destined to a great modification
in short time, will not probably bring benefit
because of the advantages that can be ex-
pected from new project. Not for that has the
Government abandoned, nor will she abandon,
the general study of future legislation for the
Antilles, for the moment that after new in
teryention by the Cortes and when the oppor-
tunfty will arrive they would have to be
definitely established. Fortunately the insur-
rection is decreasing, in the opinion of su-
perior authority of the island and of the per-
sons who can in Cuba judge with greater GER
tainty
If 1t has not yet decreased completely it is
due principally. as nobody can ignore. to the
great and frequent helps rece eived, false de-
scriptions of the polite and administra-
tive situation in Cuba, making them also
believe that the conduct of destroying
what they are unable to conquer, is identical
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