The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-27
SAGASTA'S SCHEME SPURNED.
INDICATIONS OF IT'S FAILURE MORE
APPARENT EVERY DAY.

Oissension Among AutOnOnsist
Leaders on the Island and the Con-
servatives Are Strongly Opposed
TO the PInn-A Meeting in Havana
Unanimously Resolves TO Fight
ANY Proposition of AutOnOmy-It
Characterizes Sagasta's Policy as
Political STANDARDIZATION to the
AutomOmist Party Being Vested
With POvver--A SIass Meeting of
conservatives For Dec. 20.
Havana, Oct 26.-The failure of the au-
tonomist policy of the new Spanish eabi-
net seems more and more apparent every
dav. Discussions are known to exist
among the autonomist leaders and the con-
servauves have pronounced themselves
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 persists in car
rying out the plans of Premier Sagasta.
The conservatives last night held meet
ing in this city, lasting four hours, at
which several speeches were made in op-
position to the policy of autonomy for
Cuba, and it was unanimously agreed that
the conservative party should energetically
oppose autonomy and the policy of Sa-
gasta in this direction. They also criti-
cised their president, Marquis Apezteguia,
who Is now in Madrid, for his autonom-
ical declarations
Senor Francisco de los Santos Guzman,
a leading conservative and a deputy, pro-
tested strongly against the new policy of
the Spanish government, CHASING it as
political suicide"
The speaker warmly criticised the Mad
rid government, because 1t had not avail
ed itself of the genuine and historical
representation of the autonomist party,
which has remained loyal to Spain dur
ing the war, in spite of the insults from
the rebel juntas of New York and Paris,
asserting that the government was avail
ing itself of the services of reformists who
had suddenly transformed themselves in
to autonomists, instancing the appoint
ment Of general treasurer of Senator Es-
tanislao de Antonio who was secretary
general during the administration of Gen.
Calaja in Cuba and during whose term of
office the country had been greatly agl-
tated with reforms" or a campaign in
that direction. Continuing, the speaker
eaid the conservatives were greatly an
noyed at this policy, as they considered
ii mark of approval by the government
of the policy of Gen. Callaja and as de-
liberate snub to the conservatives. The
speaker concluded by saying, that, in spite
Of this they must accept the rulings of
the government.
Senor Francisco de los Santos Guzman
then presented for adoption a message
from those present al the meeting to the
conservative president, the Marquis Apez-
teguia, which was unanimously adopted.
This message set forth that the general
assembly unanimously agreed with the
union constitutional party, and not with
the autonomist party, objecting TO the
latter being entrusted with power here or
IN Spain, and respectfully declining to ac-
cept the responsibility for the results
which might follow the establishment of
the new policy while expressing willing
ness to respect and obey whatever the
national government may decide, and ex-
pressing disapproval of ''all rebellous ef-
forts" to canvass Spain against the au-
tonomical system of government
In conclusion, the meeting agreed to sum-
mon mass meeting of the conservatives
for Dec. 20 next in order that the future
attitude of their party may be definitely
decided upon.