Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-12-09
THE PROTECTION OF GOD
Justice of Their Cause and Firm
Resolution
WILL GIVE CUBA LIBERTY
So Says Senior Tomas Estranda Palma in Dis.
cussing Clevelands Message
so FAR AS 1T RELATES TO THE ISLE
Reviews the Struggle of the Insurgents the
Past Two Years-Horrible Butohery
reported by Six Children Or
phaned by Spaniards.
so FAR AS IT RELATES TO THE ISLE

New York, Dec. 8-Senor Tomas Es-
tranda Palma, delegate of the Cuban re-
public in the United States, gave out a
statement today regarding the reference
by President Cleveland to Cuba, in his
annual message to congress.
Senor Palma in his statement says: 81
think that the message, generally speak
ing, is in a great measure very Oppressive
to Spain as an independent nation The
message acknowledges the grievances
which have lead to the present revolt of
the Cubans against the authority of
Spain. 1t supports the Cubans in their
distrust of any promise whatsoever that
the Spanish government can make to
them, and pledges the guaranty of the
United States as security for any
agreement which Spain may enter upon
with Cuba. President Cleveland finally
declares, without hesitation, that the pa
tience of the United States in waiting
for Spain to end the contest has limit;
that the obligations to the sovereignty of
Spain will be superseded by higher obli-
cations, and that considerations of hui
manity and a desire to see a rich and
fertile country, Intimately related to the
United States saved from complete de-
vastation, will subserve the interests
thus involved and at the same time
premise to Cuba and its Inhabitants an
opportunity to enjoy the blessings OF
peace.
"As to the inference contained in the
message that the Cuban government has
now given up all attempt to exercise its
functions, 1 shall only mention the fact
to prove the contrary, that Immediately
after the capture of Guaimore by Gen.
Calixto Garcia, President Cisnero and his
cabinet preceded to the town and there
a,afO xaf aftn
some of which related to the treatment
of prisoners and to further military op-
erations. AT the time Gen. Gomez, COM
mander-in4chief of the army, was only
eight miles from Guaimaro, receiving
orders from the government and making
ready to comply with them. This fact
proves beyond any doubt that the civil
government of the republic of Cuba COM
mands the respect and obedience of the
military authorities, even, as in this case,
superseding victorious general in the
very moment of his triumph.
"It remains for me to say some words
about autonomy. Autonomy would mean
that the Cuban people will make their
own laws, appoint all of their public
officers, except the governor-general, and
attend to the local affairs with entire in
dependence, without, of course, inter-
fering with the home government. What
then would be left to Spain, since be-
tween her and Cuba there is no CONNER
cial intercourse of any kind? Spain is
not and cannot be market for Cuban
products, and Is, moreover unable to
provide Cuba with the articles in need
by the latter.
1.-THE natural market for the Cuban
products is the United States, from which
in exchange Cuba buys with great ad-
vantage flour, provisions, machinery
etc. What then, / repeat, Is left to
Spain but the debt incurred by her, with
out the consent against the will of the
Cuban people? We perfectly understand
the autonomy of Canada as colony of
Great Britain. The two countries are
already connected.with each other by the
most powerful ties-the natural interest
of q reciprocal commerce, which Is the
only thing apt to create and strengthen
friendly relations good will and respect
among the people of the world:
"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
their independence, shed their blood in
torrents, lost their dearest relatives and
frineds and forfeited their possessions
to the Just and noble end. In the mean
time, the hatred of the Cubans which
the Spanish officers and the Spanish gov
ernment have entertained as evinced by
the shooting in cold blood of prisoners
of war, I'm defiance of the laws OF civil
lZatlOn ana humanity, Uy tHe iIldesdCic z
of the defenseless people, including wo-
men and children. by the overcrowding
with suspects of-the jails and dungeons
and the deportation of thousands of them
to the murderous penal colonies OF At
rica-all, policy of terror, approved by
the queen regent, woman and lady
who processes to be eminently Christian
and Catholic, has deepened to such an
extent the political abyss rent between
Cuba and Spain that it is absolutely I'M
possible to fill 1t up with any sort of
scheme which does not affirm the abso-
lutte independence of the Cuban people.
Cuba has decided to get rid forever of
the Spanish rule, and her people count
neither their enemies nor the many pa
triots which daily succumb in the strug-
gle. They go on, confident in the JUS
tice of their course, the firmness of their
resolution and the protection of God
They realize, of course, that they are
from they very center of free America
left alone to themselves, without hand
outstretched to them; but, far from being
discouraged, they feel convinced of their
ultimate success. - fA
TOO HORRIBLE FOR RECORD.