The Portland daily press., 1896-12-09
NO HAND OUTSTRETCHED.
Though Left Alone Cubans Sure OF
Success.
CUBAN DELEGATE PALMA ON THE
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Says 1t Must Be Depressing to Spain as an
Independent Nation-Shews How Auto
mony Is Imposible-Nothing But
Independence Now for Cuba.
New York, December 8.-SenoF Palma,
delegate of the Cuban Republic in the
United States, gave out statement re-
garding the reference by President Cleve.
land to Cuba in his annual message to
Congress. Senior Palma says: 81 think
the message, generally speaking, is, in a
great measure, very Oppressive TO Spain
as an Independent nation. The message
aoknowl lodges the grievances which
led to the present revolt of the Cubans
against the authority Of Spain, it sup
ports the Cubans in their distrust of any
promise that the Spanish government
can make to them, and pledges the guar
anty of the United States as security
for any agreements which Spa in may en-
ter upon with Cuba.
President Cleveland f nally declares
that the patience of the United States
in waiting for Spain to end the contest
has limit. As to the inference con-
tanned in the message that the Cuban
government has now given up all attempt
to exercise its Functions, I shall only
mention the fact to prove the contrary.
that Immediately aftor the capture of
Guaimaro by Gen. Garcia, President
Cisneros and cabinet proceeded to the
town and there issued and enforced va
rious decrees, soms of which related to
the treatment OF prisoners and to furth-
er military operations.
cat the same time Gsn. Gomez, COM
mander in chief Of the army, was only
eight miles from Guaimaro, receiving
orders from the governments and max
ing ready to comply with them. This
fact proves beyond any doubt that the
civil government of the Republic of
Cuba commands the respect and obedi-
ence of the military authorities.
"It remains for me to say some words
about autonomy. Autonomy would
mean that the Cuban people will make
their own laws, appoint all their public
officera, except the governor general and
attend to their local affairs with entire
Independence, without. of course, inter
ference by the metropolis. What then
would he left to Spain? Since between
her and Cuba there is no commercial
intercourse Of any kind, Spain is not,
and cannot be market for Cuban pro-
ducts and is moreover unable TO provide
Cuba with articles needed by the latter.
The natural market for Cuban pro-
ducts Is the United States, from which
in exchange Cuba buys with great adj
vantage -four, provisions, machinery,
etc. What then is left to Spain but a
big debt incurred by her, without the
consent and against the will of the
Cuban people?
"On the other hand, it is idle talk to
speak of autonomy to the Cuban people.
They have framed constitution for a
sovereign nation. They have bravely
fought for about two years to maintain
Independence, shed their blood in tor
reuta, lost their dearest relatives and
friends and forfeited their possessions
to that just and noble end.
ain the meantime the hatred of Oubans
which the Spanish officers and the Span
ish government have entertained, an
evincad by tile shooting in cold blood Of
prisoners of war, in defiance of the laws
of civilization and humanity, by the
massscres of defenceless people, tnclud
ing women and children, by overcrowd-
ing with suspects of jailt and dungeons
and tn deportation of thousands of them
to the murderous penal colonies OK Afri-
ca. A IL this, policy Of terror, appro vof
by the Queen regent, woman and e
lady who processes to be eIninently q
Christian and Catholic, has deepened to
such extent the political abyss between
Gu ba and Spain that it is absolutely i'm
possible to fill it up with any sort Of
sc'ieme which does not affirm the abso-
lutte independence of the Cub ban people.
Cuba has decided to get rid forever Of
Spanish rule and her people count neith-
er their enemies nor many patriots who
Iai1 cp1an nh iy,t hnf cr1, 10
go on confident in the justice Of their
cause, the firmness of their resolution
and protection of God.
"They realize that they are In the very
centse of free America, left alOnc TO
themselves without hand outstretched
to.them, but far from being discouraged
5hey feel convinced of their ultimate sue
cess.
SPANISH NEWSPAPERS BITTER.
Presidents Message Not Liked in That
Ccuntry.
Paris, Decem Der 8-The Temps COM
menting on President Cleveland's mes
sage today, says it is worthy of his .ad-
ministration, which has always borne
the stamp Of honesty. Treating of that
part of the message bearing on the
Cuban question, the Temps declares tha
the Presidents attitude will satisfy
neither Spain nor the rebels. and ex-
presses doubt as to the efficacy of the
offer to guarantee the autonomy of Cuba.
Spain, it says would never thi nix Of
agreeing to the arrangement that would
make the United States a sovereign
power in Cuba. While on the other hand
the insurgents will not be satisfied unless
the island is made indep pendent or an
nextion to the United States.
With reference to Venezuela, Jne Temps
declares that the settlement of the ques-
tion on the lines PROPOSED by the United
States is a triumph for President Clevs-
land, but 1T gives an Unexpected exten-
sion to the Monore doctrine.
The Madrid correspondent of the Temps
telegraphs that the part of the message
referring to Cuba has caused widespread
comment and much ad verse criticism.
The despatch adds that everywhere an
unfav vorable impression has been pro.
duced BY the pretensions of the Crited
States and their threatening attitude to-
wards Spain. The Spanish newspapers
publish hitter articles ON the subject, In
which they attribute the attitude of the
United States to self-importance sprih9-
Ing from the concessions by Great Britain
t.