The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-19
YAUTONOMY FEASIBLE?
PROMINENT LOBBYISTS WOULD
PREFER AySExATI0N
To This Country, and Move Is on Foot TO
Promote the scheme--Some oil So
gasta's Difficulties.

MATANzAS, CUBA, VIA KEY WEST.
FLA. Oct B-J he business element here,
Havana and elsewhere. seems to have ar
rived at the conclusion that tho Madrid
government cannot end the war on the
basis OF autonomy to Cuba, as there are
not enough loyalists among the autono-
mists to hold public office. At least that
Is the claim the conservative SpaniardS
make
In addition. the latter express the be-
lief that autonomists even II they were
placed in power would not be able to pre-
serve peace and protect life and properly
from the lawless elements.
In view OF this condition OF affairs,
number or prominent merchants and
sugar planters OF Spanish origin, In con-
junction with several Cubans of promi-
nence have been holding secret meetings
and corresponding with people In various
parts OF the island with the object OF as
certairng the views OF the planting and
mercantile community in Havana. Matan-
zas and Santa Clara provinces as TO the
future for Cuba most likely to further
their interests and those of the island In
general.
ANNEXATION.
II Is said that the majority OF the replies
will be favorable to annexation Of Cuba
to the United States, as the Washington
government alone, apparently is able to
grant protection TO life and property. As
soon as Il is ascertained that the senti-
ment Of the persons appealed TO is in fav-
or OF annexation, a committee will be sent
to the United States with instructions to
lay the case of Cuba clearly before busl-
Or fn he limited
states in a petition to the Washington
government, praying the United States
to stop the instruction by force Of arms,
and asking for the annexation OF Cuba TO
the United States.
The policy OF Senior Sagasta the new
Spanish Premier to give autonomy TO
Cuba. far from giving satisfaction has
greatly increased the feeling of discon-
tent The autonomist party exists only
in name, the actual majority of the
autOnomists being in the insurgent
ranks and with the exception possibly OIL
Senior Montoro and few other promin-
ent autonomists the masses OF that party
are in sympathy with the insurgents.
Consequently, it will be seen, the Span
ish government. which has consulted
Senior Montoro on the subject. Is hndins
great difficulty in obtaining even the
suggestion OF names.
MANY DIFFICULTIES.
II would be imprudent. it is added, to
give such Offices 10 the party known
as the reformists. as the more influential
SDaniards hate them and the adoption
Of such a policy would possibly mean
roting and even worse Besides the
MASSES Of the resident Spaniards are
strongly anti-autonomists and there Is
ct Of
change their minds
Recognizing the difficulty Of the task
before Senior sagasta it is not astonishing
that the business community of Cuba Is
exchanging Views on the subject OF an
nexation TO the United States espe-
clally as a general uprising of the Span
igh elements is feared II the Spanish
government persists in pushing us au-
economist policy, business men believe
that autonomy is only the first step TO-
ward independence In Cuba.
Among the newspapers here there Is
considerable difference Of opinion as 10
the policy which should be adopted by
Spain.
PRESS COMMENT.
III Pals. organ OF the Autonomlst parry,
held that the Autonomlst party l% no5aists
i'm Cuba had been advocating LOT the idSt
nineteen years. and. therefore, the RE
mier could not be credited win laNihb
inaugurated IT, AT the same tiIne ~ r az,
intimates that Senior Sagasta was itally
only following the policy OF the late RE
mler Canovas Del Castillo. ana tnat 'he
Cubans were. therefore. indeDted TO tds-
tillo rather than Sagasta IN TINS nd.tc,'
Ia I,ucha in an editorial headed Ru-
tonomy for the AutonOmlsts. claimed
that no party had more right 10 lnab-
gurate autonomy than the dutonomlsts
themselves, who had advocated anu ~
Tended the policy Of autonomy lot VI"
mast nineteen years, and VINO nad t.
malncd firm TO their convictions ~ spite.
of everything, preferfing complete W"~iS
pearancc to supporting the INSURGENTS II
The latter triumphed AT the same time
Ia Lucha protested against the Reform
lists being allowed TO take hand IN tne
autonomist government Of cuba. INSIST
ing that the loyal autonomists ana tol-
servatives should alone have TINS hohor'
adding: -. -, ,,,,.,,
"In Cuba there exist in cedilty GnE one
party the AutOnOmlsts ana the toh-
servatives. The latter. who represent the
wealth of the country more than they
reprcsent political party, drd VINO alS0
represent the sovereignty OF y en-, VIII
assist the Spanish Government IN every
way on the island. ana are ;slfous VI
enabling the Government ~ Macrid 10
proclaim TO the world that he sovereignty
of Spain in Cuba does not depend on
bayOnets. ~,
"They are also DESTROYS Of Being able
IN noint To the fact that rhe AutOnOmlsts
are able to govern the island idi that
Spains army and navy are only auAilla-
ries 10 that Government a. the purpose
OF preserving order and maintaining 'he
tranquility of the island.
The city of Bayamo. one of the n.ost I'M
portant in the province o. SSntago de
cuba has been quietly ah1ndoicc re-
ia Veeuitas. fearing repetition at Bay
amo Of the insurgent aid upon Victoria
de las Tunas.