The herald., 1898-04-07
FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM
AND WILL RESIST AUTONOMY TO
THE DEATH
WILL RESENT intervention
Unless It's Avowed Purpose Is Abso-
Lutte Independence of Cuba From
Spanish Dominion
Associated Press Special Wire

NEW YORK. April 6-The Cuban Junta
through its counsel, Horatio S. Rubens,
made an important statement today 1t
declares in the most unequivocal language
that the Cuban provisional government
and the Cuban army would reject abso-
lutely Intervention by the United States
unless 1t should be preceded by recogni-
tion Of Independence of the Cuban republic;
that If the United States persisted in inter-
vening without recognizing Cuban inde-
pendence, the Cuban government and mill
tary forces would refuse to cooperate;
and that II the United States troops should
be sent to Cuba upon the basis of inter-
ventioh without independence, the Cuban
army would In the last resort turn its arms
against the United States.
Senor Rubeus, in the course of his state
ment, says:
1T has been agreed between Spain and
the United States that this government,
while declaring for intervention, shall re-
fuse to recognize the independence Of Cuba.
1t is mutually hoped by the two govern
ments that the Cubans will then become
convinced that the object for which they
have been fighting all these years-inde-
pendence-cannot be obtained, and that
tice, and eventually autonomy under the
Spanish flag. A part of the program is
that Congress shall empower the Presi-
dent to intervene, but shall not direct him
to do so. The object of this will be to gain
ample time in which to persuade the Gu
bans to make terms directly with Spain.
1 assert again that this information is
trustworthy and 1t explains what has
seemed nexplicable-the optimistic tone
still observable among prominent officials,
both at Washington and Madrid, despite
the strong sentiment for forcible interven-
tion prevailing both throughout the nation
and in Congress. Incidentally, also, 1t ac-
counts for the tone Of the stock market
both here and abroad and the apparent
firmness OF Spanish securities.
1.-The Cubans are already fairly informed
of this entente between the Spanish and
American governments, veiled, as it is.
by every semblance of an open rupture.
and I speak with full authority in saw
Ing that the Cubans in the field can be re-
lied upon to resist all overtures of peace
unaccompanied by complete independence.
The Cubans will not trust the United
States first to obtain possession anu then
to grant Cuban independence. The very
fact that recognition is expressly withheld
now, implies the possibility that it may
be permanently withheld.
1.-THE mistake of the United States is in
treating the Cubans as children instead OF
men fighting for liberty and prepared to
keep up the conflict to the death against
whomsoever opposes their one object. We
infinitely prefer hands off rather than
that the United States should intervene
without recognition of Cuban indepen-
donce. There are 10000 Cuban guerillas
to oppose such Intervention. But, of course.
we hope for better things. We expect,
even, that Congress will upset this clever
scheme Of Spain and your Executive and
declare-first, our independence; and then.
intervention to secure it."
This evening, Mr.. Horatio s. Rubens.
counsel for the Cuban junta, supplemented
his utterances of this afternoon with this
written statement over his own signature
1.-THE statement appearing over my name
in the evening papers was based on the in
dications appearing that object of the