The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-08
IN SPAIN.
Cubans There to whom the Government IL
Looking for Ala.


Cusans There to whom the Government IL
Looking for Aid.
MADRID, Oct. 27.-Few In numbers though
they are, tho so-callcd Autonomist leaders
here are so jealous of each other, every ono as.
piring to DO the chief, that they have become
tho laughing stock of the Madrid press. These
Autonomists may DO classed into several groups,
each having at most three members.
There is Senior Labra, an eminent Cuban,
who has been for nearly thirty years a warm
advocate Of COLONIAL homo rule. Although this
gentleman has lived in Spain since his child
hood, and does not intend ever to return to
Cuba. where he has no interests of any kind,
no is disliked by all the Spanish politicians, who
never believed that his alleged affection to-
ward Spain was sincere. Labra ia supposed
to be tho representative here Of tho party's Ex-
ecutive Committee in Havana, but the other
Autonomists who reside here refuse to ac-
knowledge his leadership.
Senior Portuondo Is reticent. Tho fact that
his brothers are conspicuous membors Of the
revolutionary party makes him particularly
distasteful to other Autonomists, not to say
anything regarding the anti-Autonomist Gle
ments. Sehors jose Fernando Gonzales. n for
mcr Republican Minister and a Spaniard by
birth, speaks freely of the cowardly conduct Of
the Autonomists in Havana, and will not asso-
ciate with Senior Manuel Ortiz do Pinedo. an
other Spaniard, who, like Gonzales, has for
years represented the party in the Senate.
Senior Perofo. former Deputy for Havana, will
not have anything to do with any Of the forego.
ing gentlemen, but he seems ready to indorso
the Governments policy, provided he is appoint
cd to some office. Seniors Amblard, Dolz, and
Calbeton, members of the Reformist party,
who not long ago declared that they would cut
nF thair banda rathor fhap aion n hill which
savored of autonomy, are now enthusiastic ad-
vocates Of home rule.
There Is, finally, Sehor Eliseo Giberga, Sena-
tor-elect for tho Economic Societies Of Cuba
and Porto Rico. This gentleman, who is one of
Cuba's most talented sons, is the target at
which the newspapers claiming to represent
true Spanish sentiment now aim their shots.
Gibcrga's refusal to take his scat in the Sen
ate, his bitter denunciation Of Canovas's policy
in Cuba. which. he said, had been calculated to
estrange the natives from Spain, render him an
object of suspicion in the eyes of the majority
OF the people here. Strange to say, Giberga is
no more popular among tho revolutionists.
whose motto is that whoever Is not with them
is against them. Summoned from Cambo,
France. by Minister Moret, Gibcrga has been in
Madrid twice. With a degree of frankncss
that has not been appreciated by the Spanish,
the distinguished Cuban expressed before the
I'm my opinion" he said, 1t is now too late
to make autonomy an incentive for the insur-
gents to stop fighting. They are sure that they
will ultimately triumph, and do not, in conse-
quence, feel inclined to compromise. The Gov
ernment wishes to try autonomy and invites me
to cooperate to its establishment. In due honor
to my antecedents, and notwithstanding the
insults which not only the Conservatives, but
the Liberals now in office, offered me because /
urged the granting Of autonomy ut a time when
1t might have averted the then impending and
I faal that / nlRt pnnnlv with thu Gnparp-
ment's desire and give my personal support to
its policy; but l cannot do what is asked of me
unless the measure that Is finally adopted is
'There are men fighting for the independence
be- Sor reeii in 'G mind:y WHAT / SePif the Go snS4la De
does now must BIO intended to please, not such
m nrc n as a AGAINST sided hsri Win VI q s wpitR t hut i ihDss ShS
tiers little that those who did not embrace the
scquiescence Of the men in arms, Such
luton has been ,ndorscd by the greater num-
Der OF the islands population. Prominent
W Wsn mot 1nti Fui neeest Hpd m SsnaiisT i;m AS S yGv Gay here q
These men, and those who for nearly. three
years have been enduring all hardships for the
sake Of their cause, are not likely to be allured
by n semplance Of autonomy, doubt that
trnlia would prevail upon their minds strongly
enough to induce them to come to an under
stannlnB. win spain upon d OASIS winch ls not
III tho Government really wishes to bring
hostilities to an end by means. of autonomy, II
must prove its sincerity. If 1t gives autono-
my, let the measure BIO real autonomy. The
Cubans know a great deal more about autono-
my than tho SDaniards, and so 1t is difficult to
deceive them as to the actual character of the
reform.
Il shall not give my personal cooperation to
any scheme which does not include parlia.
mcntary autonomy. an assembly of representa-.
tives elected by universal suffrage, and hav-
ing power to legislate upon the budget. tariff,
internal revenue. and all local matters; the
national debt, Cuba contributing to the ex.
pcnses in proportion to her populations: Tho
organization Of q colonial militia, which will
take the place, OF the much-hated volunteers;
all officials, high and low. to be appointed by the
colonial Government, the Governor-Ge General to
party having a majority in the Assembly; the
Council to be responsible for its acts to tho
Assembly, the Governor Generals right of veto
to be regulated, &c.
Full amnesty should at once be dccrecd, SO
that those who are now under arms may go
losted in the new order of things. This Is what
the Government should do II 1t really pur.
poses TO give Cuba autonomy. j do not guar.
antoe that the insurgents will accept 1t. nor do
say that, my former political friends now in
New York; Atlanta, and Paris will approve OF
IT,. speak, on my own account"
Senior Giberga conferred also with Premier
Sagasta, who offered him the post of Under
Secretary for the Colonies, but the Cuban Sena.
tor.elect declined to accept 1t. 81 shall not par.
ticipate,' no repeated. Sin the execution OF
any plan which Is not autonomist to my entire
satisraction, Even 80 am afraid that 1t will
Senior Giberga has gone back to Franco