The sun., 1897-02-01
CUBA ONCE MORE PROTESTS
grR aovERNMENI DENIES THAT
sHE WANTS sPAJN's REFoRMs.
c,..eros Say. the Revoiutis. rs Fleurish'.s
,.d Bo nrd His Cabisss scorn the span-
,.h Proposals - Ges. Comes Tanks
,,,a WIN Win Her Cause Next sprisg.

c,,a WIN Win Her Cause Next spriag.
havana. Jan. 3l.-News received from
s.n,. Clara Is to the effect that at q Council
meeting OF the Cuban Government, held four
A.v. eso. President Salvador Cisneros con-
.ul,ed the mem bers Of his Cabinet about several
communications no had received informing him
hat n. . result Of diplomatic interference on
the part Of the United States, the Spanish Gov
,rnment had decided to enforce In Cuba re-
forms In the shape OF the Abarzuza law Of 1895.
making at tho same time proposals to the reYo-
lutionists to accept the reforms and thus end
the war.
President Cisneros said that his personal
views wcro well known both to the Spaniards
and Cubans. and that, having devoted his life
to the cause OF his country's freedom. no ono
could imagine that he would accept the absurd
proposal to keep the island under the Spanish
yoke at tho very time that the revolutionary
cause was prospecting more than ever.
lie said also that II WAS his belief that all
pre,ent agreed with these sentiments. and that
no one would violate the Constitution Of Jimua-
ssyb, in which II 10 declared that no treaty Of
peace can be made with Spain unless based on
the absolute independence of tho island.
He added that when the first rumors of an
Arrangement for homo rule between Spain and
President Cleveland were communicated to him
by the plenipotentiary Of the republic abroad.
senor Tomas Estrada Palma, ne answered In an
oniclal letter authorizing sehor Palma to sn,-
pbatically deny that the Government Of Cuba
would accept such an arrangement.
Gen. Gomez also made q similar declaration.
which was sent TO New York TO seGor Palma.
In view of later letters received from the United
states and Havana. another officiai declaration
had boon forwarded TO New York. as probably
the hrst fell into tho hands Of the Spaninrds.
Secretary Cahizares said that In case pro-
posAls o. peace should come from Spain not
including . stipulation for the independence OF
Cuba It was his opinion that after an energetic
refusal, tho Government should adopt some
measures to prevent all further hopes on tho
mart OF spain that the Cubsns will surrender.
Secretary Portuondo proposed the revival Of
the law OF spotorno. proclaimed by the Cubans
in the last revolution, under which any man
bringing to tho Cuban camp pfopOssls Of peace
was to be hanged ~ q traitor.
The above news Il received from the most re-
liable Cuban sources here, and the documents
will DO In New York In few days In the hands
Of sehor Palma. the Cuban DELEGATE. The terms
OF the protest OF the Cuban Government TO the
reforms proposed by Spain are said to be very
energetic, leaving no hopes OF the success Of the
strange Cuban policy suggested by Mr.. Clsve.
land.
Ten. Gomez has met with many difficulties In
organizing the different Cuban bands that are
scattered all through the province Of SAINTS
Clara, but his energy has triumphed over al
obstacles. He Is in good health. though sad. ri
no has been ever since the death Of his con. who
met his end with Maceo.
his known that he viii not attempt, for til,
moment, 10 deal Spain any great blow except
through the total destruction Of all the sugar
estates In the province OF MAtapzas IL they
grind In sccordanoe with weylsr's permit
Gen. Gomex Is Of the opinion that two months
from now. when the rainy season will begin
spain will be In . very desperate condi'
ton. having another year OF war befor'
her with her treasury and her crcd
exhausted. and her soldiers perish,ni
either at the hands Of the Cubans or By the ysl
low fever. and that the Spanish Governmsn
will have no other alternative than to yield and
make proposals Of peace. based on indeDendsnc'
OF the Island, trying. II 1t can. to obtain som'
monetary Indemnity.