Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-28
By Such Action Only Gan Peace Be
Preserved. n
LATEST OFFER OF CUBAN home RULE
AProposition UnfavorsbIy Regarded
in Congress.
TEMPER AT THE CAPITOL

The Spanish plea for delay and autonomy
OR as they put it now, home rule-bobbed
up again. 1t is being respectfully consid-
cred. because the President will pass moth
ing which suggests peace without con-
stderation. But it is the belief in Congress
that nothing can come of this plea of
Spain unless it is merely the superficial
covering Of the purpose Of Spain to evac-
uate Cuba-the only thing which can pre-
serve peace. 1t is understood that Presi-
dent McKinley's hope Of peace is based
on nothing but the belief that Spain will
have to yield completely. No concessions
by Spain which are not acceptable to the
Insurgents, it is insisted, will restore peace
in Cuba.
The Cubans have repeatedly stated that
they will accept nothing short of absolute
independence. and the terms of their con-
stitution pro! ibit their entering upon ne
gotiations with Spain on any other basis
than that of independence. Spain may ac-
cord independence directly, or she may
insure 1t by dispensing the reconcentrados
and withdrawing her troops In either
event peace will be restored under the
Cuban flag; it is declared that it cannot be
restored under that of Spain.
No one about Congress friendly to Presi-
dent Mckinley will admit Of the possibility
of the Presidents attempting to coerce the
insurgents into the acceptance of peace on
unsatisfactory terms.
1t is represented that the President is
not insisting on any particular terms of
peace on the island, but simply that peace
shall be at once restored on whatever
terms Spain can make with the insurgents.
Since the insurgents will accept nothing
tndanendancp &c
charged in the least by a proposition from
Spain for peace on the basis of home rule
autonomy or any other condition which in
wolves the maintenance of Spanish sover-
eighty over the island.
Spnin's Proposition.
Spain has submitted her proposition
which differs little from former PROPOSE
tions-to establish liberal autonomy in
Cuba, and says she will dispense the recon-
centrados and restore peace. President
Mckinley has not accepted that PROPOSE
ton. The suggestion simply serves to d.
vert attention. but does not lessen the
danger of war between this country and
Spain. 1t is well known that Spain cannot
restore peace in Cuba on such terms; 1t is
well understood that IL she does not restore
peace this government viii intervene, and
meanwhile the apprehension Of war and
the preparations for hostifities are not less
active. 1t is not believed that the President
has any idea of forcing another dose of
autonomy upon the insurgents, and every
one who knows the temper of Congress IS
convinced that he could not do SO if he
wanted to.
Persons unfriendly to the administration,
it is said, seize upon the Spanish suggestion
as an excuse for saying that the President
is backing down from the firm position
which he has assumed. 'i'. %
An Unwarranted Assertion.
But there appears to he no warrant for
such an assertion. 1t serves only to render
more intense the feeling in Congress and to
threaten the popularity of the administra-
ton temporarily. The suggestion that the
President is being again tempted by auton-
omy has aroused a most bitter and resent
full feeling in Congress- Should the i'm
preston intended to be made generally OBJ
tain, 1t is evident that the harmonious CO.
operation between the Executive and Con-
gress would be threatened and state of
Affairs be developed which would be ex-
tremeiy unfortunate, and would contribute
nothing to the dignity Of the nation. Con-
gress has been converted into powder, which
is available for the President for uses of
defense.
1t Is also capable Of premature explosion,
and airy yielding on the part of the adj
ministration to Spain would be a match to
set it off.
President Mckinley thoroughly under
stands this. The knowledge of it would not
prevent him from doing what he regarded
as his duty, but 1t is said by his friends
that his sense of duty does not lead him
against popular sentiment, and that he has
no disposition to be cajoled into permitting
Spain to continue her course in Cuba.
Peace Possible Through Spanish Con-
cessfOn.
1t is understood that the autonomy plan
which was being discussed yesterday and
was again the subject of discussion this
morning Is not a new thing which has
suddenly changed the situation. but is the
echoing OF the past which has made no
impression on the administration, except
to encourage the hope that Spain, knowing
perfectly well what this government will
insist upon. is putting out this talk for
the purpose of soothing her own people,
while she is preparing to yield entirely to
the demands of this government. 1t is
fully understood now. as 1t. has been for
several days past, that only by such Yield
ing en- the part Of Spain can peace be pre-
served