The herald., 1897-11-06
FREEDOM
OR DEATH
The WatChWOrd of Cuban
Insurgents
ALL OFFERS OF AUTONOMY
sCORNED BY LEADERS OF THE
REBELLION
Ex-Minister Taylor Asserts That the
Spanish Offers of Reform Are
Merely Shams
SCORNED BY LEADERS OF THE
REBELLION
Associated Press Special Wire.


NEW YORK, Nov. 5.-The Herald
prints letter from Maxine Gomez,
general-in-chief of the Cuban army of
liberation, dated at his camp in Sancti
| Spiritus, in which he says:
"All statements that have been hith-
erto or may be in future published to the
effect that we are willing to accept any
other solution short of independence
should be regarded as false.
1--WE will fight for absolute independ-
ence, as we stated in the manifesto is
sued at Monte Cristo, and was also later
set down in our constitution, and we are
daily confirming it by the shedding of
blood on the battlefield"
Savda Salvador Cisneros. formerly
President of the Republic of Cuba, writes
to the Herald:
Independence or death has been our
motto. We would rather see our be-
loved country disappear amid heap
of ashes than accept any concessions,
no matter how ample, unless they carry
with them the absolute independence Of
Cuba
FREEDOM ONLY
NEW YORK, Nov. 5.-The Herald
says it is too late to talk autonomy
Cuba is lost to Spain. Only independ-
ence for the island will put an end to
the struggle now devastating the colony
and running Spain.
That is what eight leading Cubans, all
Of whom formerly favored autonomy,
told Senor Jose Canalejas in the Fifth
avenue Hotel. These Cubans did not
represent the Junta for the Junta will
discuss autonomy with no one, but the
conference Is the more remarkable in
it's result, because the men who talked
SO firmly against any proposition ex-
|cept independence were formerly lead
ing autonomists, who, in view Of the re-
cent developments, say that even were
they to listen to such proposal the
insurgents in the field would simply
scowl at 1t as an evidence, not Of Spatn's
good faith. but of her weakness and
Willingness to promise concessions rath-
er than prosecute hopeless war.
TROUBLE FOR WEYLER
MADRID, Nov. 5.-The Spanish gov
ernment, as result Of the deliberations
Of the ministers over the utterances of
Weyler, the former Captain General of
Cuba, has come to the decision to try
him by courtmartial, no matter where
he lands, If he confirms the accuracy Of
the press reports of his utterances.
The commanding officers at all the
ports of the Spanish kingdom have been
instructed to demand Of General Wey-
Ter, the moment he can be communicate
ed with, the exact terms of the speech
which he delivered in reply to the mani
festation at Havana on the occasion Of
his embarkation for Spain on Sunday.
The steamer Montserrat, on which
General Weyler sailed for Spain Sunday,
as cabled to the Associated Press We'd
nesday, reached Gibarra, on the north
west coast OF Cuba with her engines dis
abled. and may be compelled to return to
Havana, in which case it is not unlikely
there will be interesting developments
MEETING STOPPED
SANTANDER, Nov. 5.-A meeting
which was organized here to arrange a
reception to General Weyler. the former
Captain General of Cuba, was attended
by such riotous opposition that the
Mayor was obliged to dissolve it.
TAYLOR'S LETTER
NEW YORK. Nov. 5.-The Herald
presents a remarkable letter from Han
mis- Taylor, formerly United States Min
lister to Spain, in which, after telling
of his strenuous efforts to prevent rup-
ture of diplomatic relations between
the two countries during the dark days
of the Competitor case. he asserts that
the ruling classes of Spain are deter
mined to refuse any concessions which
would be accepted by the Cubans.
Mr.. Taylor, the seal of secrecy having
been removed, tells how Senior CASTELAR,
tried to persuade the late Premier Can
ovas to offer genuine reforms to the
Cubans, as the otherwise intervention
by the United States must follow newt
ably.
This was Mr.. Taylors attitude as
diplomatic representative, anxious to
prevent war. For time he believed, he
says, that the iron Premier had yielded,
but when the proposed reforms were
made public he says: II saw that the
great man had trified with us as If we
were children"
There are many dramatic passages in
Mr.. Taylor's letter. and it makes plain
much that was dark.
Mr.. Taylor's letter concludes as fol-
ows:
In my former article I deliberately
ventured to assert that I am satisfied
after careful investigation, that the rul-
ng classes of Spain, civil, clerical and
military, are resolved. regardless of
party, to refuse to make any concessions
to their rebellious colonists as would
meet with their accoptoroa ...4
ioubt that any Minister who dares to |
undertake such perilous enterprise will
be at once discredited and driven from
office, and 1t will be great weakness up
On our part to be misled by any false
hopes and promises in that regard.
Events in the future win demonstrate
that am right on that point. Ofcourse.
Il Gen. Blanco had brought with him
anything like autonomy he would have
proclaimed Il at once. HIS EFFORT, orl.