The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-02-26
'~CANOyASS FLAT FAILURE.
SPAIN REPUDLaTEs HIS SCHEME OF
REFORMs FOR CUBA.

Made q Fatal Mistate-He IL WtiiinE "a
DO Almost Anything 10 Restore rcace.
MADRID. Feb. 1I.-Premier Canovas is do
tcrmined to 10 as far in tho way or reform as
he may deem necessary In order TO restore
peace in Cuba. Convinced Mt last that not
withstandinp the unauestlonahlc superiority
OF tho Spanish army over tho Cuban insur-
pents. tho latter will hold their own as long as
they choose. Senior -anovas now proclaims
the advantages. Of colonia, home rule; but he
will hsGrle: he will yield only little by little.
so as TO appear that he 10 always willing TO
make every reasonable concession. He now
affects to forget his old ouixotioal language
about the dignity aud in .egrity Of tho country.
and 10 irving o inspire the public with tn" be-
lief that he was always in favor OF colonial
self-government.
Nobody, however. believes that the now pol
iy OF the Spanish Premier will accomplish
any results favorable 70 Spain. News comes
from Cuba, from New York. and from Paris
that the proposed reforms. or even real Cana
dian autonomy. will not induce any Of the
men In tho aod To abandon the struggle. ard
that the moneycd classes abroad will continue
giving their aid to tho cause Of inder Evidence.
J.st as they did before the publication Of the
decree. As q distingui shed Cchan gentleman
remarked in the foyer at the Opera Theatre
last night:
Tho insurgents cannot but regard with con-
tempt and scorn what is now ofore rod TO thom.
Their only answer TO Spain is the old Spanish
saying: 'Cuando ouise. no ~ouisistc: ahora QUO
auleres. no auiero.' when I would. thou
wouldst not; now that thou wouldst. I will
not.)"
The truth 10 that. despite all. protests as to
sincerity. tho text Of tho proposed reforms. as
published In the Gacefa 0fcfai. is not oalculat-
ed TO inspire tho Cubans with confidence
Many things are promised IN tho preamble Of
the decree, and many more. perhaps. arc
hunted at In the basis for tho law" hut when
ever one OF the vital issues which have been tho
eternal cause Of trouble between the colony
and tho mother country Is touched ambigu.
ous words only are used. Were the law ever
enforced. the Madrid Government would in
every caso have the power to construo II as Il
thought best.
Undsr those circumstances II 10 not sur.
prising that Canovas's scheme should have
met with general disapproval hero. The meas.
ure is too radical for some. too timid for others,
and wise for none excepting the Ministerial
organs. which only q month ago declared that
those were traitors to Spain who adviscd q pol
Icy OF reforms as an inducement tor tho rebel
nous CubAns to lay down their arms.
Senior Romero Roblodo. Canovas's beloved
Lieutenant, although declaring that he will al-
ways support the Premier. still maintains his
theory that war must DO answered by war
alone. Reforms. he iays. however ideal. will
not deprive tho rebellion of . single one Of It's
men.
Senior Labra. the Autonomist leader, says
that reforms which do not include a change in
the electoral system. such rs will give all the
Cuban people access to the polls. will prove
fruitless. He does not understand how the
measures TO be adopted by the council Of Ad-
ministration are said TO DO executive. as long
as their tulhlment Is confded TO officials who
cannot be held responsible before the Council.
lie cannot approve tho no wer which the Gov
eminent reserves to itself to appoint Delegates
who will share the Rubcrnatorisl functions
with the Mayors in the towns and cities. for
this would nullify the so.callcd municipal do.
Capitalization.
Senior Silvela. tho leader OF tho dIssentlent
Conservatives believes that the proposed new
of;he m ls , %os' s ssrslen. and I is1 ss'o os nv G sigh,s
have not been conyoniently established, and
the c5nseauenGe VIII be that . conflict will
TO face openly the problem OF absolute home
rule.
Federal party. :ays that Inconsistency Is the
main feature Of Canovas's reforms. While
almost Independence Is given 10 the municipal.
tiles and the provinces. certain restrictions in
tie general administration Of tae island are
s ssIaI, ,s1,S ,v Which a., are ne, compatible With the
Inspired; II would have been moro logical
to have declared the independence OF tho island.
forms. Senior Vasauez de Meila. one OF their
most conspicuous leaders in Parliament. en-
at the TraditlonAlist Circle on Feb. 4.
The Cataionians are not as hostile to the
merchants as they are. the cataionian: re SiHi1a
ST. a;S Ha q. and, Soa.eausntlyi EXPECT that there
peace Is restored than there will be II the dc.
struct!on OF the leland IA contaminated. Re-
held by Ca,alonian bankers is immense. and
they naturally hope for an early settlement OF
the conflict, which may save thoir threaten.d
The MARQUIS of Apezteeuia. President of the
Spanish Conservative party. OF Cuba, says that
the reforms will have no influence whatever
upon the insurgents. especially II Gen. Wey-
Ter Is 20 preside over the establishment of the
RI Did. an indie pendent newspaper Of large
circulation among the higher classes. saws:
tho reforms; the Conservative are still less
sa,isfsd, The libsr:is .nys that CanovAs'a
IestALle, and the Ministoriaiists themselves say
that IL is : fatal mistake"
OF TIE Republican Centralist party. says that
"a. preamble Of the decree is a confession OF
III TiSmpo, Senior sIlvela's organ. says: 18th.
reforms are ImpracticaSle. They must uuder.
40 great notifications II they arc ever 20 be
fcrabie to give the island complete home rule.
In nur opinion. the reforms ure nothing but a
strategical combination. intended 10 br. ny
about peace in the island through the i~nierven.
tion OF II third party: which is expected to In
duce, the leading Cuban leaders TO surrender.
As the work of n statesman. the reforms can
not be subjected TO serious analysis. but We
shall not say anything against them should
they accomplish the results desired"
La Pubiiciddd OF Barcslons says that the
reforms will he received by tho Insurgents with
contempt,
Los .Noticias. also NJ Barcelona. Is afraid that
the new regime may create great dangers for
Spain.
La 1iidnsd AraOonesn OF Sara rossa SAWS
that tho reforms Will prove %fruitlcss. The
..rt lido de.drdgon or the same city. says;
The reforms will please no one. and viii not
bring about the pacitcation OF Cuba. better
than consulting the United States concerning tho
measure. which Is humtliatinE To the national
pride, tho Government ought to have consult
ed the 'nsurgent LEADERS. as was the case in
1897 with the Carlists. and In 1878 with the
Cubans themselves.
~ McrcontH Taiencinno OF Valencia speaks
Of its campaign In: favor OF reforms and ex-
presses It's fear that the measure now comes
too late.
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