Omaha daily bee., 1898-03-27
IDEAS OF AUTONOMIsT CABINET
Paint Autonomy in the brightest OF
Dright COlOrs.

Paint Autonomy in the brightest of
bright COlOrs.
DOWNRIGHT 1898 by Press Publishing Company)
HAVANA, March 26.-(New York World
Cablegram-Special Telegram. For the first
time the members Of the autonomist cabinet
have consented to speak To each Of the six
members of the cabinet these three questions
were put.
First-From your own experience In office
do you believe that autonomy will utl-
mately be a success?
Seconds autonomy more popular with
Cubans now than 1t was ct first?
Thrd-What has been accomplished In
your department?
The ministers all received me with the
utmost courtesy. Five members Of the cab
met replied to the questions in signed state
ments, which, translated. are as follows:
II believe that autonomy Is q complete
success. 1t has been the constant ambition
Of the Cuban people. All would have ac-
cepted it with Joy were 1t not for the moral
and material perturbation brought about by
| the war. That autonomy is as popular now
as ever before is shown by the great inter-
| est manifested in the forthcoming election.
My deAartment is that of the presidency,
without special functions. With the other
| ministers cooperate with the government.
| The public service Is conducted efficiently.
| The customs revenues have increased fully
80 per cent. The condition of the recon-
| centrados has improved greatly. Many farm
| ers have resumed cultivation of their land.
Many plantations are grinding. They have
| produced more than 100000 tons Of sugar.
| Many Of the hands are surrendered rebels.
| Many rebel leaders have surrendered, ac-
cepting autonomy. The principal leaders
would do so il they had no hope Of assist
ance from the United States. The conserva-
| tives Of Cuba and enemies OF Cuba accept
autonomy as law and will vote. Peace would
come soon II the Cublns We're left alone to
| shape their own destiny.
| JOSE MARIA SALVEZ."
| Senior Galvez is also the president of the
autonomist party, its legitimate leader and
thsShcad Of the conservative wing of the
party. He is rich planter and about 65
years old.
| Colonial autonomy, which has been con-
stantly asked for Iby the island of Cuba since
the beginning Of the century, as is shown by
the works Of its principal writer's who have
sought the welfare of the country under
Spanish rule, will be a complete success
Already 1t has begun to be so. If 1t were
! not for the agitation throughout the United
States, which keeps up their hopes, the great
| majority Of the rebels would have sur
| rendered. They are not unaware that
autonomy always has been the country's
/ ideal. The agitation in the United States is
! ignored and not desired by the majority o!
level-headed Americans. and is the cause OF
the prolongaton OF the disastrous, fruitless
war, consuming generation. 1t is RESPONSE
BILE, too, that peace has not been restored
and that the benefits OF constitutional free
dom are not enjoyed.
''The Cuban people, who have always beer
In favor OF autonomy, have received 1t and
i sustained II with fervor because 1t has beer
| implanted with absolute sincerity by those
who have always upheld it, Under autonomy
the country governs itself and administer!
Its own affairs in Its own interest indepen
Il IDENTIFY. More freedom would carry the coun
try to anarchy and irreparable misery. Tine
country needs only the re-establishment o.
peace to profit from all the advantages OF
free commerce and achieve unqualified pros
perity. am not the one to praise my owf
administration. directly or indirectly. Al
investigation into the facts will prove tha
the several departments OF the colonial gov
ernment are realizing that they possess ad
vantages within the limits OF a provisiona
government which will soon be organized
The revenue continues to increase. The ad
minlstration has sworn into office many
Cubans without disorganizing itself, and thu
negotiations for treaty OF commerce opened
10y the government Of her majesty. the queer
Of Spain. with the United States are bein;
carried on In a liberal spirit, earnestly aidet
by the colonial government seconding tn,
wishes OF the mother country In such an i'm
portant matter''
RAFAEL MONTORO,
Secretary Of the Interior"
Although q native Of Camaguay and be
longing to q family famous In Cuban reyo
fNontluunA an aaaaaA