The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-17
ON CUBA.
'.EIther Cuba IL tho Ruin OF Spain or spain
Lones Cuba.v

MADRID. Aug. 4.-Pursuing his political cam
paign in the provinces, Sehor silvela delivered
several speeches at Valencia on Aug. l sni 2.
the keynote of which was the Cuban war. In
the speech at the opening OF the floral tcasts
Siivelu indirectly referred TO the influence OF tho
Cuban insurrection upon the internal problems
OF Spain. In the face, he said. of the seces-
sionist tendencies OF the colonies, l well realize
the danger OF encouraging the growth of local
sentiment. But IL l am in favor Of unity am
more in favor OF life, and life is to be found in
these brilliant manifestations of local interests.
The pretext OF obliterating provincial lines has
been the cause Of many a rebellion. Reason
tells us that rebeilions have been provoked be-
cause the RICH; to autonomy was ignored"
At the political meeting on the succeeding
day. Senior Silvela added TO his notable declara-
ton regarding the possible abandonment OF
Cuba. lie said:
Concessions snatchcd from the weak prove
inefficient. II Cuban autonomy were the result
OF "A compact through which the insurgents
should lay down their arms, and peace were
thus obtained. I would have nothing 10 say
against it; but no such results can be antici-
patcd. II autonomy is not TO bring peace. it Is
folly to exhaust the nations resources. merely to
impose a regime which would practically put an
end to our sovereignty over Cuba. What must be
done under the circumstances l believe that
military acton has not been carried on in Cuba
as it should n cen conducted; but are we In
a position 10 postpone the liquidation OF our
affairs in Cuba without, at the same time, caus-
ing SPANS rulnf Is there 4 possibility TO real
ne this liquid .tion under terms more or less
favorable. | have not the data TO decide, but
Inc Goyernnen, has them; It is their Snty to
in conscIt nee bound TO tell the country whether
the momen, has arrived ed when we mus. con- On.
ruin or spain, or spain loses CUBA.
More than $4,000, sick or disabled soldiers
from the army in Cuba returned to Spain from
January up to July 81. Several thousand more
are expected to arrive before The close OF the
send TO spain ali those who are not tit for cam
paign service.
Fl In parcial announces that very little re.
st 'rted toward the relief Of the sick and
wounded soldiers oil the Spanish armies in Cuba
peals anew to the charity Ofithe ration. although
persuaded that the distress prevailing all over
results"
The last copy received here OF the Terfdssuna
article in which Senior Canovas is quoted as
saying: - , - s,o,, !.
great; but Spain and the Spanish. not the Gov
ernments. are 10 be blamed for 1t. 1tSpain was
one day powerful. il was all due TO chance. asa
result OF the matrimonial alliances of some OF
her sovereigns. Had il not been for this circum-
stance spain. would never have had any pre-
ponderancy, for she had H.. >er the soldiers nor
the money necessary to acquire it. We shall
never again be what we once were. Our de:
cadence is an accomplished fact. Positive and
lasting military greatness is not compatible
with our economic impotency..
"Spain's misfortunes are the, result OF our
national character. OF the natural barrenness or
our soil. The Spaniards. besides, are not eco
nomical and aspire to the achievement OF great
exploits without having the proper means. They
are removed from the universal channels OF
progress. Yet there are men here who, have
been dreaming of conQuering territories in
Africa. Such an undertaking 10 beyond our
reach. Our aspirations should be reduced 10
preserving what we inherited from our ances:
tors. But even in this we are doomed to fail "
we do not change our way OF being"
Commenting upon this FL ImpuyciGl said:
Having such an opinion OF the Spanish.
Canovas's way OF ruling us is perfectly ex-
plained.'
The Premier contradicted the reported inter
view. but. as several newspapers remark. tho
words quoted coincide with What senior Caroyas
wrote III his book "El Solitaire y su TEMPO