New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-09
PRICE THREE CENTS.
CUBA'S CLEAN OF HOPE.
A DEFINITE PROGRAMME FOR THE ISL
AND'S FUTURE.
WIDE GULF TO BE BRIDGED BY AUTONOMY
- BLANCOs DIFFICULT TASK - AGRT-
CTvITI-RAr coNDJTrONS

\ WIFE "tLf 10 BE BRlDIEp BY AIioNoAs
BLANcos DIFFICULT TASK - AGRI-
CULTURAL CONDITIONS.
tFRoM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBUNny
Havana, Dec. 4.-Home rule for Cuba; for
spain. sovereignty; for the United States, reci-
procity. The programme Is definite. II carried
out 1t might insure years of tranquility ana
prosperity to the Antilles Until the first point
is settled the last is necessarily inchoate.
1t does not form part Of the public discussion OK
autonomy. Only the few thoughtful men who
looking beyond the politics Of to-day make
it cardinal feature in the Cuban policy of the
future. 1t Is these men who trace the revolu-
ton. not without cause to the Wilson Tariff bill
and the destruction of reciprocity which went
with ii. They hold that there would have been
nsurrection had Cubas sugar market In the
United States been maintained Except for the
fall in sugar, 1t is their contention that the
abuses of Spanish colonial misgovernment In
the island would have been endured until cor
rected In prosperity the weight OF corrupt ana
oppressive administration did not seem to bear
so heavily. In adversely 1t became unbearaole.
With concessions from Spain which promise 70
give Cuba its own government the economic
conditions again become prominent, and com.
mercial relations with the United States are tho
basis Of all the plans for Improvement.
A WIDE WIDE GULF.
A wide wide gulf must first be bridged with
autonomy before force can be given to these
ideas. The gulf may never be spanned. because
support at either end by Spanish partisans and
Cuban revolutionsts Is wanting; yet the sus.
gestion Of reciprocity is significant Of the future
relations Of the island to the United States. The
Cubans who declare the revolution must 60 on
until independence is won have theories OF their
own. One Of these is that broader and moro
stable reciprocity will be secured to the United
States IL it treats with the Cuban Republic IN.
stead Of with a colony Of Spain. That Is their
answer.
It should not be understood that the represer-
tatycs Of the Madrid Cab!ne. In Cuba are con-
cerning themselves with these matters OF Ma
ticnal economy 1t Is the men Of theories who
are doing that Captain-General Banco has too
much Immediate work to look so far ahead. To
undo what Weyler had done in maladminis-
tration is a huge task in itself Something OF
this labor has been accomplished In administra-
tive Offices but this has little bearing on the
main question. The places are filled by men
who are in sympathy with the Government ana
who will ioyay help to carry out its plans
These are details. More important Is the rap
prochement Of the political parties. The Madrid
the Sagasta Ministry In the enjoyment Of Its
honeymoon. In Cuba the nuptials Of the Au-
tonomist and the Reformist parties have been
celebrated by the leaders Of the respective or
ganizatlons Marquis de Apezteguia. with tho
dignity Of Grandee Of Spain. recently conferred
Tx on him by the Queen Regent, promises the
blessing of the Conservatives on the union.
The new Liberal party is thus In process OF
fusion OF all the elements which are ready to
accept autonomy. The Captain-General and his
official subordinates are prepared 10 carry out
whatever DEGREES may come from Madrid. They
want TO know the composition Of the Cabinet:
they ask the early formation Of the Supreme
Tribunal. and they are occupying themselves
with plans for the election in February. II Is
their belief that $ each successive step in au-
tonomy is established the opposition will weak
en- The fuility of struggling against the in
evitable is expected to be convincing argu.
ment 1t may be assumed without contradic-
ton that every move which is ordered from
Madrid will be put in execution with military
precision.
PASSIVE HOSTILITY TO AUTONOMY.
The ultra Spanish element continues to show
a passive hostility to the policy Of the Govern.
ment and to the preparations for carrying Il
out The marked characteristic Of the public
mind in Havana Is still indifference to au-
tonomy The Intransgentes, or ultra-SpanIards
have set up a test of their own. II under the
new policy the insurgents are persuaded to lay
down their arms autonomy will be success.
and will be welcomed by all parties. But II the
insurgents keep on fighting. autonomy will be
q failure, and some other policy Will have to be
adopted The test is unfair to the Government
which is entitled to the support Of Its own pso-
ftt,. Ia
arms The Intransgentes however. stub
born. and will accept no other test. They are
even malicious in their insistance as the svi-
dences Of the insurgents activity multiply. The
proclamations Of Gomez and Calixto Garcia
spurning autonomy have been repeated by the
minor chiefs. The number Of presentados. or
persons surrendering. is discouragingly small.
The insurgents In the field giving signs Of
vigor and are threatening aggressive move
ments disproportionate TO their numbers These
things mean that Captain-General Blanco can
not depend truce a half-sLs tension OF
military operations while carrying out the pro-
visions Of autonomy. The new civil policy must
be coincdent and probably coextensive with
vigorous military policy. The sword In one
hand; colonial self-government In the other The
necessity Of complete reorganization OF the
army before a fresh campaign against the In.
surgents be undertaken adds to the EN-.
barrassment. The troops are In such state Of
decentralization that months will be needed to
make them effective.
THE SUGAR CROP
Where other circumstances are discouraging. Q
gleam Of hope for industrial improvement IL
held out in the sugar crop. The prospect Is that
the cane on most Of the plantations will be
ground. With a very few exceptions, this will
be by grace of the insurgents The tax" or
tribute to them has been arranged: General
Gomezs collectors will not interfere. 1t will be
paid to the representatives Of the insurgents in
New-York. The revolution will be strengthened