The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-20
SAGASTA'S GREAT SCHEME.
HE EXPECTS TO TAKE HIS IDEA IN
TO POWER WITH HIM.

TO " WITH HIM.
,,o,., ana re Are Trying 10 Secure the Favor
or wealthy Cubnns for Peace on the Basis
Of Autonomy, with Native Onlceholders-
No Cuban Patriot VIII Nibbio at the Bait.
HAVANA, Aug. 16.-A momentous political
plan with regard to Cuba lie In preparation by
srGors Sagasta ana Moret y Prendergast In the
hope that their party may soon becalled TO
power In Spain. Senior Moret has written from
Madrid to several influential Cubans who reside
In Paris, asking their support for the new
scheme. As is we'll known. the Cuban colony in
Paris Is principally composed Of the wealthiest
natives OF the island, and 1t contributes largely
to the revolutionary fund. sometimes with sub
ncrlptions which amount to over $780, 900.
Among the Cubans in Paris whom Senior
Moret has addressed is Senior Eliseo GiberRa, a
prominent member of the Autonomist party.
and a Senator from Cuba. Sehor Giberga has
held, since the beginning of the war, an attitude
OF expectancy. and has recently published q
pamphlet in which he appears disposed to ac-
cept the home rule solution. Sehores Moret and
sagnsta, according to the latest news received
here, are confident of receiving Senior Giberga's
MD, and they have even declared that In case
the Liberal party should come into power they
will ask him to come to Cuba as q special Com
missioner and try to convince the revolutionists
Of the wisdom or ending the war Dy Accepting
tho programme of the Liberals.
There is no precedent to give Senior 9iberga
much Encouragement to undertake such q mis-
sion. During the last war the Cuban poet Juan
Clemente Zenea accepted . similar mission
from Senior Moret, came to Cuba from New
York armed with q Spanish passport and his
credentials. and on arriving here was locked up
in the fortress of La Cabaha, and after q few
months was treacherously shot by the Spaniards
themselves. 1t is not even known in what part
OF the gloomy fortress the remains Of the help
less Zenea were buried.
The plan of Seniors Sagasta and Morct 10 the
concession to the Cubans Of q liberal home rule
system, enlarged with fair promises that the
administration Of the island will DO intrusted to
the natives and not to the Spanish residents.
Senior Moret has gone 90 far as to write long
letters to President Mckinley. assuring him
that the plan will meet with the approval Of the
most important elements among the Cubans
and that a steady paciacation Of the island will
be the result, to the great advantage Of Amer
ica's commercial interests. As previously
reported in THE Sun. Sehor Moret.
according to the Di0rio dc Ia Marina Of
Havana. poses as an old friend Of the President
Of the United States. and speaks about his cor
respondonce with him. It II doubtful II. In this
case. Senior Moret has had a. favorable an an.
swer from Mr.. Mckinley a. ho had from sehoz
GiberRa- Probably the much-talked about cor.
respondence 10 what the spaniards call half q
correspondence" q term derived from q Spanish
oficeseeker. who once said to Q friend:
II am half corresponding with the King"
What do you mean BY thatf' asked the
ether.
THAT I write to him. and no answers m,
not"
1t is very likely that In Q few days the PLAN
Of Seniors Sagasta and Moret will DO carried in
to effect. II Senors Romero Robledo and Sill
vela, who hate one another with o deadly hatred
do not peacefully settle their old quarrel. which
Is not probable. as both aspire to take the plac'
Of Canovas Is leader Of the Conservative party
tho Conservatives will have no united forces u
cope with the Liberals in Parliament and thel
Gen. Azcarraga will DO compelled to resign an,
the Queen will almost certainly call Senior So
gasta- Such. at least. IL the situation as dc
scribed from Madrid to his friends in Havanl
by Senior Arturo Amblard. Q leader Of the Cubal
Reformists, a Deputy in tho Cortes, and o warn
friend OF Senior Sagasta-
Besides the preliminary overtures to tn,
Cuban residents In Paris. Sehor Moret. as sool
a. SaRasta 10 in power, will send an Official repre-
sentative to New York to confer with the Junta
Advances made up to this time to Senior Estradi
Palma. 1t is said here. have had no favorable
effect for securing peace in Cuba on the basis o
home rule. The real representatives of tn
Cuban revolution in the island and abroad hav
repeatedly declared that they will accept moth
ing but the independence of Cuba. Neverthe
less. the hopes of the Spanish Reformists her
are centred in the above project and they evel
declare that sagasta and Moret will satisfy tn,
United States. whatever may be the instruction
carried by Gen. Woodford to Spain.
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