The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-10-29
AUTONOMY FOR CUBA
VIOLENTLY OPPOSED BY THE
CONSERVATIVE PARTY

Evidence Increasing Daily that This FOL
Icy OF the Spanish Government VIII BE"
FaHure-A Meeting Of the CONSERVATIVE
of Hsvana-A Resolution Adopted sEx-
nre.aiox DC termined Hostility to the Cab.
,oe. Measures-Death and Burial Of the
Insurgent, Generai Castillo
Havana. October 2s.-The failure of the
autonomist policy Of the new Spanish
cabinet seems more and more apparent
every day. Discussions are known to
exist among the autonomist leaders and
the conservatives have pronounced them
selves strongly opposed to the granting
of an autonomist form of government TO
Cuba and have, SO to say, washed their
hands of the consequences which may
follow If the government at Madrid per-
sists in carrying out the plans Of Premier
Sagasta.
The conservatives last night held a
meeting in this city, lasting four hours.
at which several speeches were made In
opposition to the policy of autonomy for
Cuba, and it was unanimously agreed
that the conservative party should ener-
getically oppose autonomy and the policy
of the Sagasta, cabinet in this direction.
The conservatives also criticised their
president, the Marquis Apezteguia, who
is now in Madrid, for his astronomical
declarations.
Senior Francisco de Los Santos Guze-
man. a leading conservative and deputy,
protested sfrongly against the new
ing it as political suicide" The speaker
warmly criticised the Madrid government
because 1t had not availed itself OF the
genuine and historical representation OF
tho nrfnr1nynict n rfv Which has remain
ed loyal to Spain during the war, in
spite Of the insults from the rebel junta
of New, York and Paris asserting that
the government was awaiting itself OF
the services of reformists who had sud-
denly transformed themselves into au-
Economists, instancing the appointment as
general treasurer of Senior Estanisalo de
Antonio, who was secretary general dur
ing the administration Of General CallaJa
in Cub and during whose term OF office
the country had been greatly agitated
rection. Continuing, the speaker said
the conservatives were greatly annoyed
at this policy, as they considered 1t a
mark of approval by the government of
the policy of General Callaja and as a
deliberate snub to the conservatives. The
speaker concluded by saying that, in
spite of this, they must accept the ru-
lingS of the government.
Senior Francisco de los Santos GuZman
then presented for adoption a message
from those present at the meeting to the
CONSERVATIVE pTeSlueHL, liz MdIQulo
Apeztiguia, which was unanimously
adopted. This message sets worth that
the general assembly unanimously agreed
will the union constitutional party and
not with the autonomist party, Directing
to the latter being entrusted with the
power here or in Spain, and respectfully
declining to accept the responsibility of
the results which might follow the es-
tablishment of the new policy, while ex-
pressing willingness to respect and obey
whatever the national government may
rebellious Efforts to canvass Spain
against the astronomical system of gov
eminent.
In conclusion the meeting agreed to
tives for December goth, next, in order
that the further attitude of their party
may be definitely decided upon.
1t is announced from Spanish head
quarters here that details have been
received of the death recently, near the
Felicitas farm, in the Managua district,
we'll known insurgent leader, who was
reported killed some time ago, which
news was apparently confirmed by Off
cial advices yesterday. 1t appears that a
convoy of provisions was attacked by the
Romeo branch of the insurgent force, re-
inforced by the insurgents under Gen.
eral Castillo: The extreme Advance
guard of the Spanish troops, the official
report continues, surrounded the insur-
gents and compelled them to retreat
and eventually seek refuge in the hills.
There the insurgents were pursued from
hill to hill by civil guards and eventually
General Castillo fell, with three others,
suffering from bullet wounds. In the
midst Of the fight, it is further officially
reported, Captain Medel, of the Spanish
troops, cut own and killed Romeo the
insurgent leader. The Spanish troops
captured several good horses, including
the horse ridden by General Castillo.
They were brought to the palace today.
A machete and belt, the former having
a silver handle, inscribed, March 4, 1897"
fell into the hands of the government
the date the insurgents entered Guines,
this province. Finally the troops obtain
ed possession of a valuable new dagger
and q Smith & Wesson revolver, and a
book, printed in English, having in it a
note from the insurgent captain. Mario
Diaz, giving details of the death of the
insurgent leader, Domenech and of an
American, named Clyde.
The wife and children of the deceased
i%nsurgent officer are said TO be living in
New York. After the body had been
formally identified, the remain of Gen
eral Castillo were inferred at IL o'clock
today in the cemetery Of Colon. The
body was taken to the grave in the
hearse Of the morgue and was not en-
closed in a coffin, according to custom.
On the way to the cemetery, the body Of
squad Of soldiers. The general had a
machete wound on his neck n a bullet
wound In his right knee, both Of which
had healed up. in addition to the wound
which caused his death. The remains
Of the general were Inferred in the
elegant uniform of an insurgent ~brigadier
general.