The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-02
LATEST CUBAN PROPOSAL.
INDEMNITY AND HOME RULE" TO
PRECEDE INDEPENDENCE

~ IL said minister Woodford IL directed 10
Suggest This Plan as q Means OF Saving
spain's Pridc-The Cubans DO Not want TO
Purchase Liberty at nm E1travnEant Figure,
1t is reported among those in this city who
are especially Interested in Cuban affairs that
one Of the suggestions Gen. Woodford will
make to the Spanish Government, as soon as he
is recognized by Spain as the American Minis
ter, will be the purchase by the Cubans Of their
freedom, paying to Spain q war Indemnity TO
BIO guaranteed by the United States.
AS Is well known, this plan failed last year
owing to Canovas's stern refusal to accept any
kind of Intervention on the part Of the United
States. The fact was made public In May last
that Col. John J. McCook, q gentleman Of some
influence In Washington, and Mr.. II. A. O..
Smith. who for twelve years has been largely
interested in Cuba, especially in the municipal
affairs of Havana city, had revived the scheme,
together with some other gentlemen Of this
city. In Washington calls were made upon
tho President and even upon the Spanish Min
lister, Sehor Dupuy dc Lone, who gave to tho
press his denunciation OF the proposal, speaking
OF 1t in terms similar TO those used by Senior
Canovas.
1t Is known that several letters were later
addressed by tho promoters Of the scheme to
the President and that the last letter, sent to
Washington at the end Of June, contained the
following paragraphs:
Tho war seems to be endless, and intcrvcn-
ton by the United States Is the only solution.
The Cuban Generals, who are all veterans Of
tho ten years war, have proved to be greatly
superior TO the Spanish Generals. These very
men who are now fighting for tho liberty Of
their country fought those ten years against
fearful odds. The last expedition they re-
ceivcd from abroad was In 1873, and until
1873. without any fresh supplies Of arms and
ammunition, they stood against the whole
army OF Spain.
Now that they have moro resources and o
larger army. now that the revolution has spread
TO tho six provinces Of the island. while in the
last war 1t never extended west OF Santa Clara
province, is it TO DO believed that they willreadily
be induced to lay down their armsl According to
the Spaniard, Gen. Jovellar. the ten years war
cost Spain over 100000 men. Now the same
veterans arc in the field again and they will not
yield. as they repeat day after day, to any con.
ccssion whatever that Spain may offer short
OF the independence OF Cuba.
1.-THE proximity Of Cuba to this country, the
great commercial interests between the two
peoples. fully explained to you, MIR. President,
in former letters, are strong reasons for the in
Prevention Of the United States in the bloody
struggle. Spain could send to Cuba 100000
uloIt soIulclS III thiS NhI, hhu cAuhl hhc hihy
send moro. But Spain cannot increase the dis.
lance. scarcely eighty miles, which is all that
separates Cuba from this country"
1t ia said that the above letter and those sent
earlier made a great impression upon the Pres
ident; hut now the report is in circulation that
the first plan has been substantially modified.
Instead OF the mere proposal that Spain should
withdraw her troops at once from Cuba, and
acknowledge the independence Of the island,
accepting an indemnity, 1t Is understood that
the promoters OF the idea, desiring to make
some concession to Spanish pride. suggest that
a kind of homo rule be established In the island
for some years previous TO the evacuation by
Spain.
Senior Estrada Palma, the Cuban delegate TO
the United States. talking yesterday about
these matters, said: '"TAc plar Of the purchase
Of Cuba's freedom IS merely u question OF
amount. A sum that would not involve the re-
public in a large debt might perhaps be con.
sidcrcd; but to talk OF large indemnity or Of any
sum that would compensate Spnin for the over
whelming debt she has incurred in Cuba Is non
scnsiCnl.
ave really DO no, need TO be anxious over
the matter. | have just received letters from
pucassi and DclEndo, Cuban Generals in Pinar
del Rio, from Gen. Mayia Rodriguez. who Is
now In Havana. and from Gen. Bctancourt OF
Matanzas, giving news OF tho strength Of tho
revolution In tho west. That the Cubans con
troll the cast IS very vol known. 'lndcpcn.
dence or death Is tho spirit OF all tho Cubans
In the field. Independence or the sacrifice Of
)ur last piece OF bread TO buy arms and ammuni.
ton for the Cuban soldiers is the cry OF all the
Cuhans abroad.
1.-The plan of Col. McCook modified by n pre-
liminary home rule concession, is not In the
least acceptable. I nm sick OF all this home
r,,1o trlk 1ha ypry mention of that word or
cites suspicion in tho minds OF oil sensible pa
triots. because we don't want home rule of any
kind, nor do we believe that Spain is capable OF
granting It in good faith. The Spaniards will
present some plan Of reforms full OF tricks
us usual, to keep tho Cuban people in thraldou
TO Spain, and thoy will call 1t homo rule. Ha:
Cuba spent tho blood of her best sons only FOL
thisl
II have heard also OF some other plan which
proposes that the Cubans shall lay down their
arms first. and that later Spain will make conccs
sions amounting even to independence. Thit
is the old proposal OF Canovas. and it woulc
only give Spain another chance to show hcl
pcrfdy.
1.-THE scheme OF Col. McCook. II Cuba Is Il
pay only n comparatively small sum-, may b.
worth Investigating. But will Spain accept
small sum, having already incurred 5000, 900.
600 Of debt in Cubal 1t should DO perfectly
understood that We will not take on our shout
dcrs the financial responsibility OF SPANS owl
folly. Now, with a home rule clause, neithc
the scheme l am speaking OF, nor any other on'
IS worth u moments consideration"
Schor Palma added that tho news that tn
Spanish Government will send TO Cuba 200
more men Is deliberately intended by Spain
Cabinet as an answer in advance to any kind o
solution Of the Cuban problem that Gen. Wood
ford may propose.
GEN WOODFORD IN SPAIN.
He Arrives ut San Sebastian, where tho QueeI