Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-04-23
Spain,s Attitude Toward Cuba.

Spain's attitude toward the Cuban revo-
lutionists may be said to be two-fold.
nominal and real. Students of history
and those VINO have followed the course of
Spanish aggression and cruelty in Cuba
do not need to be told that the Spanlards
bitterly hate their island subjects, and
that only d genuine appreciation of the
commercial value Of Cuban trade and
manufactures prevents them from giving
free vent to their true feelings.
Considerations of policy, however, which
demands a somewhat forced show of re-
spect for Uncle Sans feelings in the mat
ter have led the Spanish for some time
to fefgn desire to carry on their so-caled
war against the Cubans in a humane man
ner and according to the rules of civilized
warfare: Many indications-have combined
TO show that the Spanish leaders of to-day
would delight in pracucing some of the
cruelties which characterized the early ex-
petitions Of Cortez on the western CONT
nent, and 1t is capable of demonstration
that Weyler was deferred from carrying
out his threatened reign Of terror in Cuba
only through the fear that such course
openly pursued would lead to the speedy
recognition of the revolutionists as bellig-
erents by the United states.
II the latest advices from Madrid are
correct Spain is about to change her
nominal attitude toward the Cubans. The
gist OF this move is that the Spanish gov
ernment proposes to put in force In the
West Indies some scheme Of colonial home
rule based upon the bill which passed the
Cortes last year Under this measure Il
number of so-called reforms political and
administrative, will be instituted. and
there will be specpus promises Of cleo
toral and other reforms to follow. The OBJ
Ject Of this is Of course to effect what
Campos and later Wcyler have failed ito
accomplish, the quelling Of the insurrec-
ton. and 1t Is also suspected that the
Spanish government In this matter hopes
to anticipate any action on the part of the
Cleveland administration favorable to the
Cubans.
II IL of course impossible at this distance
from the sea. OF hostilities TO predict with
any degree OF intelligence concerning the
probable course OF lthe revolutionists in
the event Of a proposition on the part OF
the Spanish government looking to the
institutns Of the various reforms out
lined; out judging from American stand
ards the Cubans would be unwise to ac-
cept any scheme of this kind at this late
day, especially II their claims regarding
the progress of the Instruction are true.
The theory of probabilities at the pres
ent time is strongly III favor of the victory
OF the revolutionst cause. WcyleI has
not made so much Of a success of his cam
paign, in Cuba in many respects, as did
Campos. With the wasting of many weary
months of valuable time. the Spanish have
been dlsheartened, and have gradually lost
hope Of ultimately quelling the revolution
The Cubans on the other hand have gained
hope and enthusiasm with the progress
oil. their cause. and present Indications arc
that ere long they will achieve their in.
dependence of Spanish domination.
While 1t is not improbable that the Span.
ish may propose some scheme of alleged
reform, the Cubans would throw away
their chances of self-government by ac'
ceptins it. and 1t is not impossible thai
they might at an early day relapse into q
far worse condition than that from which
they have been trying to extricate them
selves.