The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-18
ADDRESS FROM CUBANS.
Under No Circumstances viii They
Accept Of Autonomy.
OR DEATH, THEY SAY
After Fighting nnd suffering for
Three Years They Are Stronger
Than When They started.

| New York. March 17.--The following procla-
| nation to the people OF the United States
was Issued by r. Estrada Palma, at the Of
f'ce OF the Cuban junta, torieht:
| To tho American People:
Tho frequency with which there have lately
appeared In the public press suggestions made
by malicious or misinforned individuals that
Cuba would accept or be forced 10 accept au-
tonemy or anything short OF Independence has
in'Ielled us to make lcfnite and fina! state
nient o.. this subject.
From the first our motto las been 'lnde
cndeLce or Death" We are row more firmly
than ever determined to carry out our pro-
X anime. We will no: accept, We will not
evca listen to. the proposals of autonomy.
After three years of the most sangunary, bar
baious and uncivilized warfare OF modern
times, carried on by Spain. we are stronger
than ever. Ii is for us to say what will sat-
sfy rs. not others.
can not think that the American people
have forgotten The prdciye laid down in
their own Declaration OF Independence, nor
can ! believe that any true American would
ADVISE us to forsnke the idea of republican
government for the monarchial, even in its
most liberal form.
There is no way to compel the Cubans to
a7ceIt autonomy except by force Of arms
be,s
Spain alone, but against the whole world
Not a helping hand was extended to us; no
country save us equal rights with Spain. TIE
right to arm our people by purchasing weap-
ons in this country and transporting them to
Cnta is admitted, but. although engaged in
lawful traffic. we lad to run the blockade to
get from these shores and again run the
gauntlet in Cuba. Our shins and cargocs
were seized subjected to delay. but invaria
the law. Nevertheless we never faltered. We
always appreciated the fact that the sympa-
thy of the American people was with us. |
Spain has proven impotent to compel us by |
force 10 accept autonomy. She now desires |
the aid of the United States to compel us to
accept.
! can not believe that the American people
would ever lend themselves to the treacher-
ous and blood-stained monarchy of history
Tor such purpose. l declare In the name
Of the Cubans in arms that force alone can
tpsl a,,h, |
hundreds of thousands of our families exter-
minated by slow starvation by cowardly de-
cree of the most nhuman commanders of SAN
culinary Spain Will fight ngainst anything but
Independence, no matter who opposes MS
IL. unfortunately. this Incredible prorosal
'e carried into effect and American bayonets
re arrayed against us In our struggle for
roedcm ard In ala of the Spanish monarchy.
'c VIII fight on, sadly but determined and
ct history Judge when We are vanquished II
We had not purer ideal of free institutions
han the victors. In such case we Will be ex-
ermina,ed, hut future generations will again
AXE w our flag and our aspirations, and
'uba VIII yet be free.
Nor will we ever agree to truce until our
Independence Ia established
we shall continue to fight as did the Ameri-
ans under jackson at the battle of New Or
cans even AFTER The treaty Of peace is signed |
1t should be necessary
The Cnhans are convinced that the United j.,
tates VIII never try to force them to remain
nd'r the Spanish flag. but have deemed II
" dntF to appeal to the generosity, sympa-
W and patriotism of the American people. 10 .
he end that they may understand the Justice !,
I'd frmnoss of our demand for complete In. q
'pehueh'e' Tomas Estrada Palma. v