The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-01-22
FOR INDEPENDENCE ALONE
CUBA FIGHTs ron AVID WILL AC-
CEPT ELSE.

DELEGATE Pals. Declare. That All Reports
or WILLINGNESS co Corprouisc for Az
toneny or Reforms Are erou.diess-
False story OF n Letter fron Ge.es-
Seior Tomas Estrada Palma Minister Pieni-
potentiary of the republic of Cuba, sent out
yesterday the following statement:
SO much has lately been said OF the probe-
bility Of the termination of the Cuban revoiu-
tion by the acceptance on the part Of the Cubans
of autonomy or reforms that ! fee, Il ineum-
bent upon me, as the accredited representative
VI the Cubans. to make q brief statement on
the subject.
Reforms were passed By the Spanish Cortss.
but the outbreak Of this revolution was not
thereby stayed one hour. There was aud IL but
one idea for which the Cubsns are fighting. We
have had enough OF so called reforms. enough
OF promises Of more reforms. enough Of prom
ised autonomy. Every intelligent man would
rightly condemn the leaders and participants Of
this movement IL anything short of inde-
pendence be the basis Of q treaty Of peace with
Spain.
1T IL claimed that Gen. Gomez IL willing to
treat with Spain on the basis Of autonomy and
that q letter 10 that effect has been received By
me.
There Is no such letter.
Knowing Gen. Gomez as . comrads In the
last revolution. knowing his opinions a. e1-
pressed to me before and during this wal.
knowing his stainless patriotism. I can vouch
for him. He Is made Of too stern q material to
ttuI 10. on any sueh terms, psrticolariy when
q hts resources ami RlowinRly Of his conviction
cessful.
But even though any one OF our foremost
leaders should be inclined to terminate the war
within the bounds OF possibility while he him
sell might surrender. he would do go alone. we
C 60 Jan are no, yoIr,sh,ppers Of ipdisiduali'ie';
The death of our glorious Maceo struck sor-
row TO the heart Of every Cuban. but we did not
tion received no perceptibic check.
The leader who proposed peace under the
Spanish flag would nnd himself without fol-
No treaty OF peace can be made by the
Cubans unless ratiied BY specially conyoked
TO expect Chat the Cubans.. after two years Of
sanguinary strife. when they find themselves
fortune To occupy. IN point ofbnumbers equip
nent and resources. Will now weakly accept
terms OF compromise.
Every Cuban. every American. knows that
the apparent generous and conciliafory spirit
Of Spain springs not .sfrom her strength but
tho circumstances. be expected to waver1
If the .Cubans in the field are too strong TO
cities are too well advised Of spain's plans and
Spain's precarious situation TO counsel this
step. In these cities. SPANS only stronghold.
'0ss O'hhs' Va 10 "S~thb INV
but lately signed a statement In which they I'M
equivocally say to those In this country who
seemed TO have labored under the error that
autonomy would be "a solution OF the so-cailcd
Cuban problem. that nothing short of indo-
pendsnce Is acceptable TO them. They base
their statement not only on political. but also on
economic reAsonA
What form Of autonomy would help Cuba,
when saddled not only with her previous debt,
but with the added burden OF the cost of the
present WARP The future Of the country would
be ruin and starvation.
News OF our successes in the field may DO
sufocated by the censor. qualification Of the
island provinces may DO falsely proclaimed, as
IN the case OF PInar del Rio: DEGREES allowing
grinding Of cane may be issuen where all cane
has been destroyed promises OF reforms and
autonomy given aud atnnesties promulgated:
foreign countries may by these means. aud by
mendacious spanish diplomacy be cajoled into
the belief that spain Is mighty. Is generous, and
that we are weak. are unRrateful: but We
Cubans will continue to fight for independence.
and nothing but Independence. first. last, and
all tho time!
Our ieaders may fall. but others will take
their places. The opportunity will ind the man.
Gomez himself has written that even should he
fall the revolution 10 strong enough to continue
TO its triumph.
7 best excuse we have for having begun
the war will. DO Its triumph; the only ntting
monument for our fallen comrades. the indie
81. ESTRADA PALMA"