The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-10-19
APPEAL
The LoyaIists Of Cuba See the End
Is Approaching
AND VOICE THEIR PREFERENCES.
They All Favor Annexation to the
United States.
AUTONOMY IS NOT DESIRED.
The Government at Washington, in
the Interest of Life and Property,
Must Annex Cubn
AUTONOMY IS NOT DESIRED.

1S.-The business element In Havana and
elsewhere seem to have arrived at the
not end the war on the basis OF autonomy
to Cuba, as there are not enough loyaiists
among the autonomists to hold public Of
fees. At least. this Is the claim the con-
sentative Spsniards make. In addition,
the latter express the belief that autono-
mists, even II they were placed in power,
would not be able to preserve peace and
protect life and property from the lawless
elements. In view of this condition Of af-
fairs, a number OF important merchants
and sugar planters of Spanish origin. in
conjunction with several Cubans OF prom
inence, have been holdn. secret meetings
and corresponding with people in various
parts Of the island with the object OF ascer-
tanning the views OF the commercial and
planting community in Pinar del Rio.
Havana, Matanzas and Santa Clara prov
inces. as to the future outlook.
AS soon as it was ascertained that this
element OF persons appealed to are In
favor of annexation, committee Will be
sent to the United States with instructions
to lay the case of Cuba clearly before the
business element of the United States and
ask the latter to unite with the Business
element OF Cuba in petition to the WASH
ngton government asking the United
states, In view Of the failure OF the conserv-
atiyes to suppress the instruction by force
of arms. and the impossibiity of the lib
erals ending the war by establishing an
autonomous form OF government. TO bring
about the annexation OF Cuba to the United
States.
The plan of Senior Sagasta, the new
Spanish premier to give autonomy to Cuba
is far from giving satisfaction and Las
greatly increased the feeling Of discomfort.
The autonomist party. 1t is pointed out,
exists only In name, the actual majority
of the autonomists being in the insurgent
ranks and with the exception possibly OF
Senior Montoro and few other prominent
autonomists the masses Of the party are In
-. ,.,t, hole MOI
| it will be seen that the Spanish govern
ment which has consulted Senior Moptorc
on the subject, Is finding difficulty in OBJ
| tanning suggestions of names OF autono-
/ mists to fill Offices under an autonoms
form OF government 1t would pc i'm
prudent. 1t is added, to give such office.
to the party known as the reformists, al
the more influential spaniards hate them
and the adoption OF such policy wouit
possibly mean rioting and even worse
Besides. the masses OF the resident Span
iards are strongly antl-autonomiets ant
there is little or no prospect OF makinl
Ii era change their minds.
Recognizing the difficulty Of the tasl
before Senior Sagesta 1t is not ASTONISHING
that the business community In Cuba !
exchanging views or the subject OF an
nexation to the United States. especiall
as a general uprising of the Spanish eie
: monts is feared II the Spanish government
insists in pushing its autonomist policy
business men believing that autonomy
only the first step toward independence !
( cuba, and the feeling OF commercial classe
here is that annexation to the Unite
states and its consequent safeguards to III
! and property is far preferable to the estah
l,shment OF a new republic in Cuba.
The city of Bayamo one of the most In
, portant in the province of Santiago d
:. Cuba, has been quietly abandoned recent.
! It's inhabitants moving, fearing repeti