The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-06
SUGAR PLUMS FOR CUBA.
THE SoRT OF HOME RULE THAT
MoRET rs WILLING TO GIVE.

Ht Would Tie Cubn Hand and Foot-Proposaiu
That the Patriots simply Laugh At-Moro
EnVoys from spain to ne sent 10 the 1nsur-
Eents-A Tran That the spnniards Fell Int.
HAVANA. via Key West, Oct. 5.-According to
a despatch from Madrid. the new Minister Of
the Colonies, Sehor Moret v Prendergast, semi
officially announces his Intention of granting to
the island of Cuba the sort OF home rule advo-
Gated In the programme of tho Cuban Autono.
mists In 1880. This programme Is a very re-
stricted one. According to 1t the Spanish Cap
tain-Genoral Of the island would have power to
veto all resolutions OF the local Assembly. That
veto would DO final, no appeal from 1t being
lawful. The C~ap!ain.Gcneral would have, in
addition. so many other extraordinary powers
that tho entire Government of Cuba would be
wholly In his hands.
But even this fimsy scheme, framed shortly
after the last revolution. when to utter even the
word autonomy was considered q political Of
fence, Sehor Moret y Prendergast is disposed to
modify In a stir moro conservative sense. The
Minister makes fair promises "for the time
when peace shall be established" and will try
to wheedle the insurgents into coming to terms
by sending to them an envoy from the Govern.
mont. Senior Moret is very hopeful Of receiving
aid from some Cubans residing in Paris and
some Autonomists in Havana with whom he has
been in communication for several months-
The insurgents are emphasizing their decision
rot to accept from Spain even such liberal au-
tonomy as Canada enjoys. The declarations Of
Gomez, Garcia, ,Botancourt, Rodriguez. and
Ducasi, published by THE SUN last week. are
fully Endorsed by all insurgcnts in the province
Of Havana Tho same sentiment prevails In the
east.
A report comes from Santa Clara Of an engage.
ment at Rocas Coloradas in that province. in
which the Spanish forces under Major Pedro
Anton and Lieut.. Ramon Fernandez fell into q
trap prepared for them by the insurgents.
The Spanish were going to attack q Cuban
hospital which was near that place. but the
Cubans, learning OF their Intention, removed
their sick and wounded and tho women and
children to a safer place in the forests. Then a
strong guard was placed at the hospital and
ambuscades were prepared on either side.
When the Spanish vanguard. composed OF the
Ruerrillas of Calimete. led by Fernandez. ar
rived at the hospital, the Cubans fired a single
shot, and then ran to the forests in
order to decoy the Spsniards to the place OF am
later a terrible charge on 10Th sides
Cubans al machete a" and tho suddenness
OF the attack frightened the Ruerrilleros, who
took to their heels. The Cubans made wholesale
slaughter in the ranks Of the pnnic-stricken
Spaniards. Major Anton narrowly escaped. and
with. him some soldiers, who wero followed by
the insurgents to the fort. in which they took
refuge. Next morning Major Anton assassinated
and reported n victory over the insurgents.
Col. Raoul Arrange, with his column OF 1000
men. is encamped again near Madrdga, in spite
Of tho official report of Gen. Weyler. In which
Arango's forces were said to have been shattered
by o Spanish column.