The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-04-30

Havana. Aprll 22-(Correspondence Of
/ the Associated Press D-Following is the
text Of the proclamation issued today by
the autonomlst government:
Presidency OF the Court OF Secretaries
of the Island OF Cuba to the Inhabitants
of Cuba:
The colonial government, the real rep
reSentative OF the people Of Cuba is
threatened by most unjust and capra-
cious attack by the United States, an
attack which. Notwithstanding its veil
OF hypocrisy, threatens 20 restrict our
liberty and well-being. 1t forces us to
submit to the world most solemn pro-
test against this iniquitous offense We
rely on your patriotism and self denial
on your courage and enthusiasm to as
sert our common nationality and rights
in defending the homes and future OF our
children, You will instantly answer to
the urgent call TO arms. which in the
name OF this nation has been sent to us
by the authorities Of the island. Never
at any time OF the history of the world
has such contempt been shown for inter-
national law and justice; never has such
an attempt been made as this under
taking by the United States to plunge the
island Of Cuba, occupied by Spain CEN
turtles ago when the republic did not
exist, save in the Imagination Of the
colonlZers of our race. The island be-
longs to the Spanish nation by sacred
and indisputable title, claims that the
ambition and pride of covetous and
hostile people vainly try TO ignore. Far
the greater part Of that North American
territory was discovered and explored by
our fathers, and that exploit is for their
v,ernal memory, The mighty Mississippi
covers the remains of fernando de Soto,
a former governor and captain general
OF this island. None OF the alleged pre-
texts justihes the proposed violation OF
this island; nor do the preteXts them
selves exist in the hearts and minds Of
educated people, II is not true that the
people Of Cuba have taken up arms ana
that all are In combat against the SOW
ereignty Of the mother country. This /
statement is scornfully denied. 1t is not |
true that Spain has refused to satisfy !
the Just aspirations of the Cubans, be.
cause we are satisfied with the constitu |
uonal basis of autonomy.
IN the preamble the supreme govern.
menJ explicitly states mat no reform .
which will make the laws perfect will .
be refused to further the new conStl- /
tuition, SO long as they do not conflict
with authorized privileges. 1t is not true
that our people suffer under the oppres.
sion of foreign officers. We are governed
without arbitrary measures and have no
fault to find with the men born among
rs who for many years have represented
among the opposition our ideals and
have maintained with steadfastness and
our aspiration to political
liberty and proper government,
AS last statement it is not true that
peace is impossible unless the United
States intewenes, but what is true-and
this we declare and proclaim-the world
knowing that none can honestly affirm
TO the contrary, is that peace would al
ready be a fact II the United states,
either directly or indirectly, had not en-.
.ouraged the war, particularly at a time
when the quick-tempered people of this
united country We're about to reach an
and become reconciled in
the embrace of the immortal nation OF
which we are sons. Inhabitants OF this
Island of Cuba, during these solemn mo.
nents when we We're about to take part
In the first colonial parliament the United
States voluntarily seeks to arbltrate your
destiny and delay the citizens Of your
republic with view to amending and
,raftly annulling them. The integrity
Of Spain and the autonomy Of Cuba are
threatened. In their ambition the Amer
leans will wish to possess themselves Of
this island that it may be dominated by