The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-18

NEW YORK. March 1.-THE following
proclamation to the people OF lhe United
States was issued by Tomas Estrada
Palma a. the office OF the Cuban junta
tonight:
ITO the American People: The fire.
quency with which there has lately ap-
peared in the public press suggestions
made by malicious or m!snformed in
aividuals that Cuba would accept or could
be forced TO accept autonomy or anything
short OF independence. has impelled us to
make q definite and final statement on
this subject.
Prom the first our motto has been IN
dependence or Death" We are now more
nrmly than ever determined to carry out
our programme. AS We will not accept,
We Will not even discuss the proposals OF
autonomy. After three years OF the
most sanguiuary and uncivlized warfare
Oh modern times, carried on by Spain, We
are stronger than ever. 1t is for us TO
say what Will satisfy us, not for others.
Our ideas and our national honor we can
contide TO the keeping of ourselves alone.
II cannot think that the American peo-
pie have forgotten the principle laid
down. In their own declaration OF indie
pendence, nor can believe that any true
American can be found who would advise
us to forsake thu idea Of a republican gov
ernment for the monarchcal, even in its
most liberal form.
There is no way to compel the Cubans
10 accept autonomy. except by force OF
arms.
I'VE have fought three years. not against
Spain alone but against the whole world.
Not a helping hand was extended TO US,
no country gave Us equal rights with
Spain. The right 10 arm our people 10y
purchasing weapons in this country and
transporting them to Cuba is admitted.
but although engaged III lawful traffic we
had to run the blockade to get from these
shores and again run the gauntlet In Cuba.
Our ships and cargoes We're seized. sub
jected 10 delay. but invariably by the
slow and costly process OF the law. Never
theIess, we never faltered. We always
appreciated the fact that the sympathy
of the administration was with Us. Spain
has proven impotent 10 compel us by force
10 accept autonomy. She ROW desires the
aid OF the United States TO compel Us 10
accept.
Il cannot believe that the American peo-
pie would ever lend Itself TO the most
treacherous and bloodstained monarchy Of
history for such a purpose. Should such
prove TO be the case. however, ] declare
in the name of the Cuban people. III arms.
that force alone can compel our submis-
sion. We. who have seen hundreds OF
thousands OF our race and families exter-
minated by slow starvation by n cowardly
decree of the mos: inhuman commander
of sansulnary Spain. Will fight against
anything but independence no matter who
opposes Us.
But II unfortunately this Incredible pro-
posal be carried in:o effect and American
hayoaets he arfaye3 against US In our
struggle for freedom ard In the aid Of the
Spanish monarchy. vve VIII fieht on. sadly
but determined. and 'a, history judge
whether the vanqufshed had not purer
idea Of free institutions than the vletors.
I'm such case we viii bs ex'errn.nated.
but future generations will again take I'D
our flag and cur aspirations ard Cuba
viii yet be free. Nor viii ws ever agree
20 A truce uat.l our independence is estab-
l3~hed. We viii continue to fight as did
the Americans under jackson at the battle
n New Orleans even after fhe treaty of
reaee Is signed. Y It should Be necessary.
THE CubaEs cannot b. convinced thai
the United States VII ever Try 10 force us
20 remain under the SPANISH flag. but
have deemed it ny duty to appeal 20 the
generosity. ;he sympathy ara fhe patriot
.xfn os the American people. 10 she end
mat they may understand the justice and
arnnsss ot eur demand for complete inde-
pendeacA.
TOMAS ESTRADA PALMA"
BILL, TO RE0RGANIZE