The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-02
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Gomsn says His Answer TO Autononay Will No
Given with His Rines-The Chests OF Earlier
Spanish Reforms That Died HounE-The
Cubans Win Decline to Nlbbie at such n Bait
HAVANA. Oct. 3o.-Gen. Blanco has been in.
structed by tho Spanish Government to ro-
port by cable to tho Minister OF Colonies,
a. soon as possible after his landing in Cuba.
what hopes may be entertained of a speedy
end OF the war by granting autonomy to
Cuba. In spite Of tho repeated promises OF the
Government, through its newspapers as well as
BY direct cable dispatches to Senior Galvcz.
President OF the six or seven Autonomists who
live In Havana, the Spanish Government, as
usual, offers moro than 1t is disposed to give,
and. even II 1t gives anything, 1t will not DO Inn
medlately, as might DO thought from all this au.
tonomy boom.
A matter of prior concern and Importance In
Spain just now is q general election to secure
Tor Senior Sagasta q majority In the Cortcs.
After the election is over the Minister Of the
Colonies will require some time for framing his
bill. and after its presentation 1t must DO dis
cussed by tho Congress- and Senado and APP
proved by both houses. Then the Queen also
must take her time to read the bill, and con-
slider the preambulo, or introduction to 1t, by the
Minister Of Colonies before signing the sew
eral bulky documents. In q word. the whole
question of autonomy will be q matter Of several
months, or perhaps a year, and then tho re-
source still remains Of pigeonholing the entire
business with the signature Of her worthy
Majesty.
1t 10 to be remembered that the much talked
of reforms Of Minister Maura had the Same fate
in 1894: that those of Minister AbarzuEa in
1895, approved BY the Cortos and signed by the
Queen. were never carried into effect, and that
the autonomy of Canovas was never more than
. topic for the Prime Minister to oxpatiate upon.
Thoughtful persons in Cuba, therefore,. do not
attribute much Importance to tho announce
ments OF autonomy. They say that since Spain
conquered Cuba in 1892 she has been promising
reforms and Justice, and promulgating fair laws
for the good government Of the colony. while. in
fact, the same system of rapine. murder. and
plumber has been In force oil the time.
1t Is believed in Cuba by those who know the
ingrained habits Of Spain, that all the present
autonomy talk is merely a dastardly trick to
gain time, a favorite resource of Spanish states
mon, and to delay in that way whatever steps
may be taken in the United States. either by the
Administrative or by Congress, in favor OF the
struggling patriots.
Even in its promises the Spanish Government
clearly shows its bad faith. The autonomy that
10 to be granted. according to the Minister OF
Colonies, Senior Moret y Prendergast, is that
comprised in the programme Of the Cuban
AutonomlStS set forth In 1851. CUBA Will pay
the whole debt, which amounts at present to
nearly 5000, OoO, 900, and Spain will pocket all
the important revenues. tho Custom House
duties, and the direct taxes, for the Govern
ment. Furthermore, the Captain.General is to
have the right of veto over all the legislation OF
the local assembly.
I have ascertained the opinion of the most
conspicuous representatives of the Cuban peo-
pie. in the field and In the cities. and find that
they neither believe in, nor will they accept. the
autonomy offered by Spain. The Autonomists,
the Marquis of Montoro. and Seniors Galvcz
Cucto. and Saladrigas. and their small follow
ing, never sided with the revolution. They
were against 1t from the first moment, even
without any concession from Spain and under
the old regime. Gen. Gomez writes the follow.
ing words from Sa%ncti.Spiritus, and authorizes
their publication in THE SUN:
81 need not add what my opinion is concern.
ing autonomy, after the many declarations ]
have already made. My attitude In the field Is
my best programme. have received q new ex
pedition from the United States, and soon the
Spanish will hear from our rifles the manly pro,
test Of the pa. riots against all their mendacity."