The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-10-19
elhan Business Men Regard It as the Only
Practical Solution.
AUTONOMY HOT AT ALL SATISFACTORY
Spain cannot End the War on That
Banis-Not Enough Loyaiia,s 10
Noid tho 0ficcs-Pcncc and Order
TO Re Secured Only Through An-
hcxation With tho United stntcs.
Matanzas, Cuba, via Key West Fla,
October 18TH 1887

october 18th, 1887
The business element here in Hava-
ma and elsewhere seems to have arrived
at the conclusion that the Madrid gov
ethlnent cannot end the war OH the ba-
SIS or autonomy to Cuba as there are
not enough loyalists among ahe autono-
unists 10 hold public Office. At least
1hat Is the claim the conservative
Spaniards make. In addition the latter
express the belief that the autonomists,
even If they were placed in power,
Wouid not be able TO preserve neace
and protect life and property from the
aawless element. In view OF this con-
dltlon OF affairs, a. number OF prominent
merchants and sugar planters OF Span
1sh origin, In conjunction with several
Cuoans or prominence, have been hold
ing secret meetings and corresponding
wioh people in various parts OF the is
land, with the object of ascertaining the
views OF the commercial and planting
community In Pinar del Rio, Hanava,
Matanzas and Santa Clara provinces,
as TO the future FOR Cuba most likely
no further their interests and those of
the Island in general.
ut Is expected that the majority Of
the replies will be favorable to anneXa-
1lon or Cuba to the United States as
The Washington government alone. ap-
Tarently. Is able to guarantee peace i'm
cuba and the protection OF life and
property AS soon as 1t is ascertaincd
phat the sentiment Of the persons ap-
pealed TO is In favor OF annexation n
committee will be sent to the United
states. with instructions to Law the
cause OF Cuba clearly before the bus
anesS lnen OF prominence in the United
States, and ask the latter to unite with
rhe business men OF Cuba in a petition
10 inc washington government. re-
questing the United States in view OF
The failure of the Conservatives ITO sun
. press the insurrection by force of arms.
and pointing out the impossibility of
ahe Liberals ending the war, and estab-
HshlnS an autonomous form Of govern
dnent, to bring about the annexation of
Cuba 10 the United States.
The plan of Senor Sagasta, the new
spanish premier, TO give autonomy to
Cwna, far from giving satisfaction here.
mas greatly increased the feeling of dis
content. The Autonomist party, il is
pointed out. exists only in name, the
actual majority OF the autonomlsts be-
ing in tho insurgcnt ranks and. with
the exception possibly of Senior Men
1oro' ana few other prominent auto
nomists, the masses OF that party are in
sympathy with the Insurgents.
consequently. it will be seen, the
Spanish government, which has con-
1lndinS great difficulty in obtaining even
the suggestion of names Of auronomists
no form the government 1t would he
1nrprndent, It is added, TO give such Off
ces ITO the party known as the Reform
lists, as the more influential Spaniards
hate them, and the adoption Of such
a policy would possibly mean rio,inr,
and even worse. Beside, the masses OF
the resident Spaniards are strongly an
fi-nltnnND1iStS AZ Is
prospects of making them change their
minds.
Recognizing the difficulty in the task
before Scnor Sagasta, It Is not aston
lshing thnt the business community of
Cuba is exchanging views on the sub
5ect of annexation to the United States,
especially as n general uprising Of the
Spanish elements IS feared if the Span
1sh government persists in pushing IT'S
autonomist policy, business men be
lieving that autonomy is only the first
step toward independence in Cuba. and
the feeling of the commercial classes be-
ing that annexation to the United
States, with the consequent safeguards
2 to life and property Is far preferable to
the establishment of q new republic in
Cuba.
Among the newspapers here there is
considerable difference OF opinion as to
the policy which should be adopted by
Spain toward Cuba. The Daro de La
Marina, in an editorial just published,
Sustained the policy of autonomy. and
Credited Senor Sagasta with inaugural
dnS it, while advocating the Reformist
party to adopt it.