New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-26
GLOOMY OUTLOOK IN CUBA.
NO PROGRESS YET TOWARD PACIFICA-
TON OF THE ISLAND.


TITUDE OF THE CONSERVATIVES
TOWARD AUTONOMY.
frRoM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
Havana, Dec. 22.-After the prologue Ro-
man mob or a Greek chorus? Either would de-
stroy the unlties OF the colonial drama which
the historic Autonomsts sought to develop But.
having spoken their prologue. they must per-
force retire temporarily while the natural de-
velopment OF the drama goes on. They are not
the only actors. and they may not write the
speech which others shall speak arrange the
role which needs no speech for It's interpretati ton
The Conservatives will act their part. The
Autonomists have gone out. and they have come
in The Spanish classes who in their own
minds compose the wealth and intellect and So
cety OF the Antilles. could not simulate the
popuace The Autonomlsts need not fear the
Roman mob. And the chorus sullen while silent.
would not beft the dignity Of their position In
the State. Something more than that Will be
1.-The role Of the Conservatives. When the part OF
the opposition may become the leading one, II Is
not beneath them.
With the echoes OF the Union Constitutional
party's convention resoundlng across the island
and back again. some Of the acts that are to
come may be anticipated. The Cabinet at
Madrid and the Palace in Havana might wish
to close their ears to the present and their eyes
TO the future, but they cannot deaden the om-
nous sounds or shut out the vision OF possible
failure. Autonomy has not been accepted by all
parties in Cuba The result is not what had
been planned and hoped for by Sagasta and
Moret. 1t Is not what had been promised by
Blanco in the flush OF his first Impressions. 1t
Is something else than the expectations Of the
Marquis de Apezteguia.
THE PART OF THE CONSERVATIVES.
Formally the Conservatives may appear as in
the Greek chorus but that would fall TO define
their real attitude. BY resolution unanimously
adopted they decided that they would withdraw
from public affairs. but there Is a proviso. 1t
gives the directing board OF the party discretion
! in deciding whether ultimately the organization
shall take part in the electoral struggle. by
which Is meant the elections 10 be held under
| autonomy. Preface this with tho resolution
which was passed absolutely rejecting au-
tonomy. Follow 1t with the congratulations
cabled to General Weyler. which were in
dorsemen: Of his course. and the role which the
Conservatives may enact In the future Is toler-
ably clear. The convention must be interpreted
| from the surroundings In which It held.
| The atmosphere II which so distinguished a
leader az Sehor Guzman formulated a meo-
dramatic protest against the American assump-
| ton Of Intervention does not dissipate itself
readily. The Marquis de Apezteguia found his
policy OF Cancellation vain. After il had been
/ repudated he was again chosen president OF the
party sure sign the Conservatives have no
fear that their influence will not be felt. He
mus. remain in an atmosphere which he Is
pOwerless 10 change.
with the Radicals and Irrsconcilables In con-
hos, will
be- content with passive opposition. Their alb
stenton from public affairs cannot be con-
strucd "a acquiescence in autonomy. The natu-
raj thing would be for those who want TO sup
port the Governmen: to withdraw aid from the
organization whicl has been formed by the
union OF Autonomists and Reformistas. In the
past the Conservatives who recoled from the
reactonary tendencies OF their party became
Rcformis,as There have been notable defec-
tons Five years ago Apezteguia defeated Nor
terra FOR the Presidency Not long after that
Mortera became president OF the Reformista
party lie took some followers with him. II an
element OF liberalism yet exists among the Con-
servatives. lts drift should inevitably he toward
the fusion party. and secession might be en-
pccted No signs OF one have appeared. The
| Conservative party must be looked upon as
united organization. Its future may be analysed
In the light Of It's past
OPPOSING COLONIAL GOVERNMENT.
The Union Constituencies. as they prefer to
/ call themselves. have been almost blindly con-
sistent In opposing measures OF colonial govern
ment for cuba. They resented every effort as
"A blow directed at the National integrity. or. as
they put II. a menace to SPANS sovereignty.
The greatest advance made by them was when
/ the directory OF the party early in 1890 accepted
the reforms proposed by Abarzuza. The re-
forms Of Maura met with their condemnation
and were formally rejected. as autonomy has
bcen rejected to-day. Ten years ago divisions
arose within the organization. There was a
| Right" and a Left and. in course OF time, a
| reconciliation In the recent convention the
| semblancc Of a Right" and Left also APP
/ reared The Left" composed OF the
| Younger men who were supposed 10 have pro-
| gressive political ideas The Right" was made
up OF the graybeards hopeless intransigentes.
/ Az both wings found little trouble In agreeing
on a reactlonary programme. the designation
given them Is not worth further explanation.
Whether the course OF the Conservatives will
develop into an organized attack on the Govern =
ment Will not be Immediately determined. Events
/ IN Spain may bring the solution. The conven-
| ton was gracious enough to send congratula-
/ lions to the Queen Regent on the afiirma ton OF
peace In the Philippines. That was the extent OF
/ its goodwill toward the monarchy. The Con-
! servatives OF all factions In Spain may come to-
gether and a rapprochement may even take
! Mace with the Carllsts without fear that the
| alliance will be hampered by the intransigentes
! I'm Cuba They have given no tentative adhe-
! sion 10 autonomy They revert TO their original