The Red Cloud chief., 1897-06-04
HIS CUBAN POLICY.
LEADER SACASTA FAVORS
The Probability Of the Island Being Sold
Termed Grotcsque-Nevsr Doubted the
Success Of spain's Military Operations In
Cuba-w cyicr and Gomez Clash.

MADRID, May 3l-when Senior
Sagasta was asked in regard to his
opinion Of the possibility Of Spain's
sale Of Cuba, he said:
THAT superstition 10 SO protesoue
that l do not care to make any reply
to It at ALL"
did you promise to give Porto Rico
absolute autonomy on the Liberal
party coming into power?" tho corre-
spondent asked.
Il did say to the autonomists that
the Liberal party will give Porto Rico
complete administrative autonomy"
"Will you give me some outline Of
the policy which the Liberal party
proposes to follow In Cuba?"
4 all that concerns the integrity
OF the mother country there is no diff
ference of opinion whatever among
the Spanish parties or politicians We
are all resolved to maintain the ma.
tional sovereignty in Cuba. Where l
diner from tho Conservatives Is in the
means Of accomplishing the pacificn-
lion and welfare Of the island, since I
am Of the opinion that political and
diplomatic action should have been
employed c~o-jointly with military &C.
tion. l believe SO thoroughly In polit-
ical action because I consider the ma
terial triumph Of an armed force land
on this point l never entertained
doubt does not sufice to bring about
that intimate, filial union Of Cuba and
Spain.
Political action, besides bcinr a
powerful auxiliary Of military action,
Is the only policy competent to restore
things to the condition Of moral
quietude and this result will be at.
tanned. The laws bestowed on Cuba
shall be such as shall cause all mis-.
trusts to disappear and deprive the en-
emies Of Spain CT every possible pre-
text for affirming that the mother
country does not govern Cuba in the
spirit Of freedom and justice. What 1
have said in regard to Porto Rico ap-
plies equally to the island Of Cuba"
HAVANA, May 81 An engagement
ut La Reforma, Sancti Spiritus, be-
tween the Spanish, commanded by
General Weyler, and the Cubans, led
by General Gomez, was fought early
last week. 1t was the result Of Wey.
ler's scheme to crush Gomez by sur.
rounding him with 20, OOO men. The
plan failed and the battle was reported
here al an ordinary Spanish victory,
without details.
1t was the first time In war that
Weyler and Gomez had faced each
other. General Gomez, placing his
men In the best strategic positions al
La Reforma, awaited Weyler, and for
six hours held him in check. although
the Cubans numbered scarcely 1000
men. Gomez ordered his best shots TO
pursue the Spanish general, but the
latter never came to the front. When
two fresh Spanish columns came up
Gomez retired and the Spanish aban-
doned the field.
PALMA AND SHERMAN CONFER
WASHINGTON, May 3l.-Scnor Thorn
&C Estrada Palma, head Of the Cuban
junts in New York, chief delegate in
the United States Of the Cuban gov
eminent, called at the state depart
ment. Secretary Sherman in extend
ing the invitation to Senior Palma, was
obliged to do so unofficially and to re-
ceive him as an American citizen. Tho
president was also unoficially aware
Of his visit.
The proposition that the Cubans buy
The island was discussed by Secretary
Sherman, Assistant Secretary Day and
Senior Palma. 1t was indicated by
Senior Palma that the insurgents are
willing to purchase their freedom Mt q
reasonable price. A full understand.
ing prevailed that the necessary funds
to float the bonds could be secured
whenever Spain agreed to enter into
negotiations looking to a sale Of Cube
lDICI MOT tn TAKE Mann