Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-06
WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 6, 1897.
s.GasTA,s CUBAN PROGRAMME.

According to Washington advices. the
. opinion obtains in administration circles
that in dealing with the Cuban question
the Sagasta Ministry will first, as con-
cession to Spanish pride. attempt to bring
about peace by direct negotiations with
the Cuban insurgents, and falling in that
will accept the friendly offices of the
United States. Certainly, 1t would seem
that to this latter complexion 1t must
come at last. If peace Is to be concluded
on the basis of what is said to be the
programme Of the new Ministry.
That programme, broadly speaking, con-
templates granting Cuba the reforms, the
promise of which was such potent fac
tor in bringing to a close the long rebel
lion. But in this matter Spain was guilty
of her usual treachery towards Cuba,
and that treachery had a marked infiu-
ence In stimulating the present revolu-
tionary movement. That the Cubans
have no faith in Spanish promises of re-
form is especially emphasized by the
fact that the reforms proposed by Sagasta
three years ago. and before any fighting
had taken place. were regarded as a mere
trick resorted to by Spain in order to
gain time to prepare for the threatened
uprising. Furthermore, the last rebel
lion broke out Immediately after the
Spanish Cortes had. with great flourish
of trumpets, voted CUBA the greatest
measure Of self-government ever accorded
any Spanish Colony, and several times
since the war has been in progress the
Conservative Ministry. which, by the way,
inherited the war from Liberal Minis
try, headed by Sagasta, have made re-
form overtures to the insurgents. 1t fol-
lows, therefore. that even II the Cubans
were disposed to accept as the price of
peace the Sagasta scheme of autonomy,
they would be likely TO demand that the
carrying out of the scheme in good faith
be guaranteed by third party. such as
the United States.
But. in view of the present conditions,
n by no means follows that were Spain
willing TO accept and furnish the United
States as her guarantors, Cuba would
treat on the basis of autonomy. In
other words. granting that Sagasta agrees
TO TAKE duNdHtdbc VI Jul ohSi Va AAiVhN'y
offices, in order TO consummate his pro-
gramme. we may still find 1t very diff
hcult task to negotiate peace. AS the
case now presents itself, It is evident that
the Spansards are determined to hold on
10 the island at all hazards and at any
cost. On the other hand. the insurgents
seem equally determined to accept no.
thing short of independence Considering
the weakened condition Of Spain, the
utter fiasco she has made so far In her
efforts TO suppress the rebellion, and the
strong sympathy for the struggling patri-
OTIS that has developed among the masses
In this country. the Cubans II must be
admitted. have every encouragement 10
stand fast and fight TO the bitter end TO
throw off entirely ana forever the Spanish
yoke. Hence. 1t may be that we would
find them no less obstinate In rejecting
reform than the Spanish Government has
been in holding on to the island In
that event. as viii be readily appreciated.
our position as mediator would not be a
very enviable one. especially should Con-
gress be In session and suffer an attack
Of jingoism while the negotiations were
In progress.