The record-union., 1898-09-27
II an Attempt Is Made to Postpone evacua'
tiOn More Trouble May Ensue.
General Nunez Refutes the Story
That the Cubans Are in League
With the Spaniards Against the
Americans-Says an Attempt to
Prohibit the Latter From EX-
ercising an Influence in the At
fairs of the Island Would be
Suicidal

SUICIDAL
NEW YORK, Sept. 26.-Freder1ck
Coudert was asked last night for his
opinion as to the SoundnesS of the con-
tention of the Spanish Commission at
Havana that Spain is at this time the
absolute sovereign in Cuba, and that
the powers of the American and Span
ish commissions are limited solely TO
evacuation Mr.. Coudert was also
asked if he believed Spain was legally
entitled to the possession of the ashes
of Christopher Columbus, the Span
iards asserting that the ashes come un-
der the classification of personal prop
erty." which under the terms OF the
protocol. are exempt from seizure by
the United States. Mr.. Coudert said:
1T is illogical to claim that Spain
has absolute power and control over
Cuba. To make such a claim as this
is to disregard and forget the fight at
Santiago, the destruction of SpalnS
fleet, the surrender of General Toral
and all those events which accompany
the surrender of part Of Cuba. Spain
is bound to surrender the other part or
Cuba, of which Havana is the citadel,
at some time not yet fixed. Her rights,
such as they are depend upon the
terms of the protocol, and on reason
able constructions to be placed under
the rules of international law upon her
undertaking to withdraw at a date still
to be fixed
Upon the construction of this pro-
tocol and these rules depend other
questions, namely, the right to the re-
mains of Christopher Columbus. l
know nothing which will prevent the
Spanish from exercising piOuS duty
to the most illustrious man Spain has
ever produced. There is not, in legal
contemplation, at least, any monetary
value TO be attached to the greatly dis
tinguiShed remains, although as curl
osities and relics, they would probably
produce high price at auction, but
even then, if the vague rules of inter
national law admitted as a valid feat
ure of the case that much value could
be placed on such relics, it could not
affect the claim of Spain, for she might
then claim that the ashes of the distin-
guished discoverer We're personal prop
erty, and that she had a right to re-
move them to her own soil.
The desire of Spain to keep these
venerable bones within her own con-
troll and to give them due reverence in
the future is natural. She is not
bound to deliver them over to the ca
price of another nation, which might not
treat them with all the reverence which,
in the eyes of Spain at least, they de-
serve
"As to the possibility or the proba-
bility that Spain will endeavor to utilize
her time honored custom to put off the
time of evacuation, that is, of course,
possible A clash of opinion might
then arise, which if prolonged might
lead to embarrassment and complica-
tions We should then be driven to in
sist on Spains departure from the ISL
and If she refused to comply with our
reasonable demand, then the last re-
sort of Kings might have to be again
resorted to- Certainly a very unfortu-
nate consummation.'
CUBANS WANT NO SPANISH AL
LANCE.
NEW YORK, Sept. ga dispatch to
the Press from Washington says:
A statement was given out to-day by
General Nunez the Cuban commander,
refuting the story that the Cubans We're
in league with the Spaniards and
against the Americans. He says:
Il will be one of the first TO pardon
the Spaniards for what they have done
TO Cubans and TO forgive them as men,
but / would be the last to pardon or for
give the atrocities of Weyler, Valma-
redo and others to the exent of ever
again allowing those partisans To have
a hand in the political affairs of Cuba.
I'VE are willing that they should as
simulate with Cubans. and, after receiv-
ing naturalization papers, ally them
selves with any of the political parties
which may spring up in Cuba, but we
can never accept the Spaniards as a
party.
ITO attempt to prohibit the American
people from exercising an influence in
the affairs of Cuba would be foolish and
suicidal for Cubans. American infiu-
ence. far from being harmful, is ex-
actly what Is wanted. Cuba desires to
become a republic. Why. then. should
her citizens not accept the advice and
aid of another republic in organizing
and reconstructing her government?
We have been dominated by Spanish,
influence for 400 years, but now we
want to be American in our ideas, GUS
toms and forms of government In
America. Spain has none and what
Cubans want at this time is capital to
develop their resources.
In my opinion, the destiny of Cuba is
plainly outlined. and it would be fool
Ism to attempt to separate us from
America. The Congress of the United
States. in august and democratic spr-
II, is also for absolute liberty. Protect
ed in the enjoyment of this right, it is
our duty to go about organizing a gov
ernment without loss of time, without
quareiing and in the same spirit and
manner which has inspired us always
TO fight for our independence"
The radical Autonomist Deputies in
the Colonial House of Representatives
of Cuba have signed the following doc
ument. copy of which has been for
warded to Washington:
Resolved, That we submit ourselves
without reserve to the events which are
being consummated in the relinquish-
ment Of Spain's authority and jurlsdic-