The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-31

army. which has now been three years in
the field. Any suspension of hostilties
might be taken advantage Of by cuban
soldiers who are lighting az volunteers.
10 visit their families In the towns held
by the Spanish. That would be very dis
turbing 10 the discipline OF the army.
The Cuban leaders i'm the field have.
i'm their private communications 10 the
Junta I'm this country, announced their
firm determination 10 tolerate no armis-
tice. even though IL should be- TO negotiate
for Cuban independence General Gomez
recently wrote 10 a Cuban In this coun-
try:
THE Army OF Liberation must not be
disbanded until the island of Cuba is
evacuated by the Spanish troops. No
truce or armstice proposed by Spain
must be entertained Fighting must go
on at least on our side. until the absolute
independence Of cuba Is firmly establish
ed. There Is no power in the world which
could compel US TO alter our determina-
tion upon this vital question. ] may add
I'm this connection that our n.en feel so
sanguine OF victory that they prefer TO
carry on the fight 10 the end"
While at the headquarters OF the Gu
ban Junta nobody appeared inclined to
discuss the subject OF an armistice some
members rdiculed the idea. IL was the
belief OF many that the report had been
purposely circulated TO influence the stock
market r. Estrada Palma. Cuban dele
gate. refused 10 discuss the matter, but
Horatio s. Rubens. counsel for the Jun
IA. said:
THE United States may make arrange
ments with Spain. but the Cubans will
never consent to armistice or any other
plan but independence The Cubans would
be thankful for any interest shown by
this country. but would respectfully de-
cline all such propositions.
1T Is an absolute loss Of time for the
United States TO entertain any negotia-
tons OF the kind with Spain. The Cubans
naturally feel that IL is unjust for tho.
American government 20 even Indirectly
espouse the cause Of a nation convicted
Of wholesale murder as against the ma
ton who. emulating the example Of
Americans are fighting for liberty The
United States may be magnanimoIs
enough 10 forgive the Spaniards for tho
loss OF the Maine and 266 OF her blue
Jackets, bat the Cubans will never forgive
the Spanish government for the exter-
mination OF her 10000 pacifcOes. The flag
that caused that crime must cease to
wave over cuba.
by an armistice Spain would save
80 10000 a month for six months. The
Spaniards know the Cubans would not
enter into an armistice. and they desire
the United States TO offer the plan so
that her refusal may remove the sympa-
thy and support OF the American people.
1T muse be well understood that To
have the Cubans accept an armistice the
United States must land her forces I'm
Cuba and compel them 10 do so at tho
point Of the bayonet The past thres
years have proven that the Cubsns can
and will fight during the rainy season
when Spain admittedly powerless 20 carry
on her campaign. All advantages Of the
proposed armistice would therefore result
10 Spain, not only in the money she would
save bus In the mortality OF her troops.
which would be az much as 40 per cent.
while the Cubans would lose the benefits
Of the rainy season. during which they
are always strongest In the field"
When I called later at the Junta II was
said that Mr. Palma had left al o'clock
for Washington. / asked II the rumor
was true that Mr.. Palma had gone To
Washington AT the request OF the Presi-
| dent To consult on Cuban affairs. ana
| Mr.. Rubens replied: There Is no truth
In the story. Mr.. Palma has gone on per-
| sonal business. All Mr.. Palma has TO say
| on the subject OF armistice has already
| been said In his appeal to the American
| people dated March IT,"