Evening star., 1897-01-01
CLEVELAND AND CUBA
Reports That Have Stirred Up the Friends
of the Insurgents.
A Message Expected EARLY After the
Reeess-An Alleged Arrangement
to Crash the Rebels.

L
Cleveland will send a message to Con-
| gress soon after they reassemble, stating
| that Spain has indicated to this govern
| ment that concessions will be made to the
| Cubans by which the pacification Of the
| island Is hoped to be secured. The init
| nation that some understanding has been
| reached between Spain and the United
| States comes from Spanish sources, and the
| manifested anxiety of the administration
| that Congress should not adopt a reso-
| luton in recognition of Cuban independ-
| ence gives color to the idea that a mes
| sage of the sort is to be sent In with the
| view Of circumventing the plans of the
Cuban sympathizers.
dispatch to the New York Journal
| today from Madrid declares that the
! Cleveland administration and the Spanish
government~have an understanding look
ing to the crushing of the Cuban revolu-
ton, which is in line with the report start
ed here that a message is to be sent TO
Congress by the President.
The Journal correspondent says: THE
understanding was that IL Cuban leaders
| refused to lay down their arms upon condi-
tions of local self-government to be pro-
posed to them by or through the United
States, the whole influence and power Of
the American government would be eN-
erted to crush the new republic.
Congregational Comment.
Representative Reeves of Illinois, after
| he had carefully read the dispatch, said:
1T cannot be possible that the admins
tration has pursued the course outlined in
this dispatch. Should it develop however,
| that there is any foundation for the state
nlents made it will merit speedy and en-
phatic action by Congress-
Mr.. Cooper Of Wisconsin said: Il must
say that the statements bear the impress
SIGN of sincerity and that they are of the
| most astounding character. If the state
ments contained in the dispatch are true,
| it is the plain duty of Congress to take i'm
mediate action in the matter. think that
belligerent rights should be granted to the
Cubans ard shall so vote when the op-
portunity presents itself" Mr.. Cooper add
ed that the reported action of the President
III this case was in direct line with the
policy adopted by him in dealing with the
Hawaiian question, and that, he said, was
the most astounding piece of diplomacy the
world ever knew OF.
Congressman Baker Of New Hampshire
said:
Il think the alleged deal is right in line
with the Presidents message and what ne
has heretofore suggested through Olney IN
regard to the proper policy of the United
States. 1 think that the attempt Of the ad-
ministratfon Is going to be to present some
kind of proposition to the insurgents with
the recommendation that they accept ii,
acting as mediator in that way and prac-
t1caliy in behalf Of Spain. 1 do rot. how
ever, wish 10 be understood as approving
this scheme"
What senior Quesada Says.
Senor Quesada, the representative of the
Cuban government at Washington said to-
day:
The talk CT Spanish concessions to Cuba
is all fake and fraud. 1t is gotten I'D
for the purpose of affecting public senti-
ment in this country and to prevent action
by Congress on the Cameron resolutions
There is no intention on the part of Spain
to grant autonomy to Cuba. Insurmount-
able difficulties are in the way of such a
settlement of the Cuban question and there
is no intention on the part of Spain to offer
autonomy. Cuba will accept nothing but
independence, and the purpose is to make it
appear to the people in this country that
Spain is going to offer autonomy so that
Congress may be induced to delay action
There is absolutely nothing to it. The re-
forms described are those which were not
acceptable to Cuba before the rebellion
1t is not likely that after fighting for two
years, gaining in strength all the while the
Cubans VIII now accept them These re-
forms were adopted for Porto Rico about
February. 1885, by the cortes. Why were
they withheld until January, 1897? Porto
Rico has not been in rebellion
This announcement is made now simply
70 aHect the Cuban situation by deceiving
the American public. The more promi-
nence they can be given to this empty dis
oussion OF settlement by the granting of
autonomy, when no such thing is intended.
the more they can confuse the public mind
1hey are trying to deceive Congress SO as
to delay action. The Cuban rebellion can
end only in in Independence 1t has been four
weeks since Maceo's death, yet not two
Cubans have surrendered, and thousand
men from the cities have Joined us since
then. The killing of generals cannot check
this rebellion