The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-10-19
ANNEXATION OF CUBA
The Madrid Government Can
not End the War.
AUTONOMY A FAILURE
OPINION OF THE SPANISH PRESS
ON THE SITUATION.
THE BUSINESS MEN ASKED TO UNITE
Not Enough loyalty Among the Autonomist TO
Hold Public Offices The Government +
Finding It Difficult Task to
Form Autonomy.

Matanzas, Cuba, via Key West, Fla,
Oct. 1S.-Ihe business element here, il
Havana and elsewhere, seems to have
arrived at the conclusion that the Mad
rd government cannot end the war on
the basis of autonomy to Cuba, as there
are not enough loyaliSts among the
Autonomists to hold public office. AT
least that is the claim the conservative
Spaniards make. In addition the latter
express the belief that the Autonomists,
even if they We're placed in power, would
rot be able to preserve peace and protect
life and property from the lawless ela-
ments. In view of this condition of af-
fairs, a number of prominent merchants
and sugar planters of Spanish origin,
in conjunction with several Cubans of
prominence, have been holding secret
meetings and corresponding with people
in various parts of the island, with the
object OF ascertaining the views of the
commercial and planting community in
Pinar del Rio, Havana, Matanzas, ami
Santa Clara provinces, as TO the future
for Cuba most likely to further their
interests and those Of the island in gem
eral.
II Is expected that the majority OF
the republics will be favorable to an
| nexation of Cuba to the United States,
as the Washington government alone, APP
parently II able to guarantee peace in
Cuba and the protection OF life aud
property. AS soon as il is aseertaine1
that the sentiment Of the persons ap-
pealed TO Is i'm favor OF annexation a
committee viii he sent 10 the United
States with Instructions 10 lay the case
Of Cuba clearly before business men Of
prominence in the United States and
ask the latter 10 unite with the business
/ OF Cuba in petition TO the Washing
ton government requesting the United
States, in view OF the failure of the Con
servatiyes to suppress the insurrection
by force OF arms, and pointing out the
| impossibility OF the Liberals ending the
war and establishing an AUTONOMOUS
| form Of government, to bring about the
annexation Of Cuba to the United States
The plan of Senor Sagasta, the new
| Spanish Premier, to give autonomy Ia
| Cuba, is far from giving satisfaction
| here. has greatly increased the feeling
Of discomfort. The Autonomst party, il
| is pointed out, exists only in name. the
| actual majority of the Autonomists be-
ing in the insurgent ranks, and with the
| exception possibly of Senor MOntero
and few other prominent Autonomists,
| the masses of that party are in sym
| pathy with the insurgents.
Consequently, ii will be seen, the Span
ish government, which has consulted
Senor Montoro on the subject, is finding
great difficulty in obtaining even the
suggestion of names for the Autonomist
form of government. 1t would he i'm
prudent, it is added, to give such of
10 =.
lists, as the more influential Spaniards
hate them, and the adoption of such a
policy would possibly mean rioting and
even worse. Beside, the masses of the
| resident Spaniards are strongly anti
Autonomists, and there is little or no
prospect of making them change their
| minds.
Recognizing the difficulty Of the task
before Senor Sagasta, it is not aston
ishing that the business community of
Cuba Is exchangnb views on the sub
ject Of annexation to the United States.
especially as genral uprising of the
Spanish elemnts is feared IL the Span
ish government persists in pushing its
autonomist policy, business men beliey-
ing that autonomy is only the first step
toward independence in Cuba and the
feeling of the commercial classes being
that annexation to the United States
and the consequent safeguards to life
and property is far preferable to the
establishment OF new republic in Cuba.
Among the newspapers here there is
considerable difference of opinion as to
the policy which should be adopted by
Spain toward Cuba. The Diario De LIN
Marina, in an editorial just published.
sustained the policy of autonomy and
credited Senor Sagasta with inaugural
ing it, while advocating the Reformist