New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-26
sAGASTA's WORK FAILS.
,,o,,rNroUs MOVEMENTS IN CUBAN IN
TERNAL POLICIES

nv TEL EeRArH TO THE rRIDUNE.l
via Tampa Fla Feb. 24.-In the tur-
or me Maine disaster internal Cuban
NV" are forgotten. Nevertheless recent
'->.,,s,ts promise to be as momentous to Spain
''', loss OF the American war vessel. II an
A' tod discovery should change the present
-, ~ the naval experts that the ship was
w. an and thereby assure a continuance Of
.,.na,v relations with the United States. the
'he .,,c nroblems would not be changed. Cap
-o,sral Rlanco's embarrassments are ap-
pailing ,.,. .x
- otherwise. out OF mind the explanation Of
-. failure OF autonomy would soon take the
80, n, an official confession. The best COM
,.orv on the deadeped state OF Spanish
.no-,,v IN cuba is found In the absolute indif
,a-s,c. shown toward the proposals Of the Radi-
-, Au.onomlsts The meaning Of their PROPOSE
.,o, 20 open negotiations with the insurgents on
,a,v basis Is understood in Madrid. where II Is
,nrv discussed. II the shadow OF an over
Aa,r,,ng sorrow were not over the American
ao,le II would be discussed intclgenty In the
r-,i,ed States Yet here in Havana the new de-
,o-ture barely causes passing comment II the
Insurgents were willing 10 content themselves
with anything except complete separation from
snain they would md in those concessions pro-
,osed by the Radical Autonomlsts a basis OF
,.cs They would not lay down their
,,,,n The Spanish Cortes had formally confirmed
oil The propositions. They could probably go
,,-,her and demand that Spain be satisfied with
The fag lone as the emblem Of her sovereignty,
and that they take possession Of the fortresses
and maintain army and navy of their own
Whether they would be willing 10 pay even
SlO0DOOOOO OF the debt might be doubtful.
Whether the Sagasta Ministry could persuade
,,e Spanish people into yielding so much in or
aer 10 maintain the shadow of sovereignty in
Cuba must be judged in Spain and not here.
NOTHING SHORT OF INDEPENDENCE.
Rnt II Is known that the insurgents will
cent no terms not based on actual independence.
ira. Ny Gown member OF the Cabinet.
should have been leading spirit in these prop
osi,ions is in It's way. important. and increases
the hostility OF the Intransigentes 70 autonomy
and adds 10 their bitterness against the Govern
r,ent which makes Gown part Of itself. They
have never forgiven him for calling them birds
- MASSAGE" and they are now convinced that
bs aim IS the destruction Of Spanish sovereignty
as the first step toward full separation. While
Secretary Gown adds 70 his unpopuarity among
the Intransigentes. there is no ground for sup
posing that he will gain favor with the in
surgents
II may not be correct TO characterize the move
rnent as insincere. yet fatal weakness IS the
confession In advance that the insurgents are
rot expected 10 entertain the propositions made
10 them The Radical Autonomists DO not even
expect that actual negotiations can be opened.
With this feeling possibly. there is no cause for
wonder al the absolute indifference Of the Ha-
vana public 70 the politics Of the scheme. The
Cuban Autonomists by Offering TO surrender
%Hn4 tn
surgents discharge the responsibility which the
Madrid Ministry has placed on them OF persuad-
ing the insurgents out Of existence. The pro-
cedure would be incomprehensible anywhere
outside Of this island That It does not meet
with objection. from the Sagasta Cabinet may
properly be interpreted as meaning that the au-
tonorly Of few months ago is no longer the
policy Of the Spanish Liberals.
MIGHT BE SAVED BY AN ARMIsTICE.
II. further concessions would result In an
srmistice between Spain and the insurgents. this
bnghted island would be blessed Many thou
sands Of the inhabitants. who otherwise
doomed TO death by starvation. would be saved.
Something would be preserved IN the ruins Of
the agriculture Of the country. In spite Of the
immense area OF charred canefelds. a large
amount Of sugar could be ground and marketed.
Since ne became satisfied there was not enough
commerce left In Cuba to form the basis OF a
treaty Of commerce between Spain and the
United States Gomez has been more liberal.
Several big plantations which have been In sus-
pense and have paid the insurgent tax, will be
allowed to grind. The promise is now Of a sugar
crop somewhat in excess OF last year. With an
interval Of peace II would be largely In excess
An srmistce would insure fair crop along with
further regeneration OF the Industrial resources
Of the island Unfortunately. Spain does not
know how 10 reach a direct proposition Of this /
kind Should the present menace between her /.
and the United States be changed into friendly !
relations a proof Of that friendship might be (
shown BY asking President McKinley's Admin /
istration 10 arrange armistice with the In /
surgents.