The herald., 1898-03-18
FREEDOM OR DEATH
Cubans Will Resist Autonomy, Pre-
ferring determination

NEW YORK, Marcn l.-Ine 1oIloWlHs
proclamation to the people of the United
States was issued by Tomas Estrada Pal
ma at the office of the Cuban junta tonight;
To the American People: The frequency
with which there has lately appeared in the
public press suggestions made by malicious
or misinformed individuals that Cuba
would accept or could be forced to accept
autonomy or anything short Of independ-
ence, has impeled US to make a definite and
final statement on this subject.
From the first our motto has been, '1n-
dependence or Death" We are now more
firmly than ever determined to carry OUT
our program. AS we will not accept, we
will not even discuss, the proposals of
autonomy. After three years of the mos;
sanguinary and uncvilized warfare of
modern times carried on by Spain, we arc
stronger than ever. 1t is for us to say what
will satisfy us, not for others. Our ideas
and our national honor we can conf1de to
the keeping of ourselves alone.
I cannot think that the Americans have
forgotten the principle laid down in their
own declaration Of independence. nor can
I believe that any true American can be
found who advises us to forsake the idea
of republican government for the monarch
ical even in its liberal form. There is no
way to compel the Cubans TO accept auton-
omy except by force Of arms.
We have fought for three years, not
against Spain alone but against the whole
world. Not helping hand was extended
to us. no country gave us equal rights with
Spain The right to arm our people by pur-
chasing weapons In this country and trans
porting them to Cuba is admitted. but al
though engaged in lawful traffic we had to
run the blockade to get from these shores
and again run the gauntlet In Cuba.
Our ships and cargo were seized, subject
ed to delay, but invariably restored by the
slow and costly process of the law New
ertheless we never faltered. We always
appreciated the fact that the sympathy of
the administration was with us. Spain
has proved impotent to compel us by force
to accept autonomy. She now desires the
aid of the United States to compel us to
accept.
I cannot believe that the American peo-
pie would ever lend itself to the most
treacherous and bloodstaned monarchy
of history for such purpose. Should such
prove TO be the case, however, 1 declare In
the name of the Cuban people in arms tha t
force alone can compel submission. We,
who have seen hundreds Of thousands of
our race and families extermirated by
slow starvation by cowardly decree of
the most inhuman commander of sanguin-
ary Spain, will fight against anything but
independence, no matter who opposes us.
But If. unfortunately, this incredible pro-
posal be carried into effect and American
bayonets are arrayed against us in our
struggle for freedom and in aid of the
Spanish monarchy, we will fight on, sadly
but determinedly, and let history Judge
whether the vanquished had not purer
idea Of free institutions than the victors.
In such case we will be exterminated but
future generations will again take up our
flag and our aspirations and Cuba will yet
be free. Nor will we ever agree to truce
until our independence is established. We
will continue to fight as did the Americans
under Jackson at the battle of New Or
leans, even after the treaty Of peace Is
signed, if it should be necessary.
Cubans cannot be convinced that the
United States will ever try to force us to
remain under the Spanish flag, but have
deemed 1t my duty to appeal to the gener-
osity, the sympathy and the patriotism Of
the American people to the end that they
may understand the justice and firmness
OF our demand for complete independence
(SigneO TOMAS ESTRADA PALMA.
A BAsELEsS RUMOR
ATHENS. March characterization
shows there is no truth in the report In
circulation saying that the United States
has purchased some of the Greek war;
ships.
ANOTHER PURCHASE
LONDON. March 17.-Accordiny 70 a
special dispatch from Sunderland the
United States government has purchased
torpedo boat destroyer from a shin
builder named Doxford of that n,ace
1t is further said that the boat is IN
have speed of thirty knots an bour
Men are reported to be working nights ~
complete the work.
SPAIN FINDS A SHIP
LONDON. March ia special disnatc,,
from Rome today says the Italian govern.
ment has sold the armored cruiser v.ro,
to Spain.
CHANGED HIS PLANS
SAN FRANCISCO, March 17-Colore,
Seldom S. Wright commanding the sixtb
regiment, N. G. c., has withdrawn his res
ignation from the office of the adiutant-
general at Sacramento The resignation of
Col. Wright was rendered last January on
MS determination to go to Klondike with
party from Fresno. Since the Maine