New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-21
PRICE THREE CENTS.
AUTONOMY'S FINAL CARD.
THE LATEST EFFORT TO TREAT WITH
THE INSURGENTS IN CUBA.
BELIEF IN HAVANA THAT 1T rs DOOMED TO
FArLUKE-THE SPANISH PROGRAMME AZ
TO TIE MAINE-LoYAL EXHIBITIONS

BELIEF IN HAVANA THAT 1T rs DOOMED TO
FArLUKE-THE SPANISH PROGRAMME AZ
TO TIE MAINE-LoYAL EXHIBITIONS.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuyE.l
Havana, March 49, via Key West. March 90
The Spanish inquiry into the Maine disaster has
some to pieces in seeking TO establish the acci-
dent theory. This admission is privately made
in Government circles The nature OF the
Boards report will not be changed The eyplo-
sion viii he charged to unknown causes. but the
Spanish finding Will be with a view Of making
case to be passed on by third party. The
work Of their divers has not been thorough. yet
apparently they have found so little evidence
on which theory OF internal explosion can be
based that the Spanish Court is not willing to
stand unequiyocally on the theory OF accident
which 1t set Qua 70 maintain. These facts have
leen known for three or four days They may
accouEt for statements from Madrid that the
Maine incident will not be a cause OF war be-
tween ,he two countries and also for hints at
arbitrating the disputed question Of fact This
saik Is sem-cflcial. The Spanish authorities
realize the :mprobability of successfully con-
trovcrting the which Will be presented
when the report Of Captain Sampson and his
associates on the American Board Of Inquiry Is
published. They have had an inkllng that the
evidence on which an external explosion due 10
foul play will be charged is meant to satisfy no.
simply the American people, but the Judgment
OF experts throughout the world. How strongly
this conclusion OF the American Board is fort-
led VIII soon be known. The cue received from,
Madrid Is TO have counter-case ready that
suspension Of the worlds judgment can be asked
until diplomacy arrange a satisfactory set
tlement The evident hope Of Planco's Govern
ment Is to keep the Maine incident entirely dis
tinct from other Cuban questions Notwith-
standing the lack Of confidence In their own
theory Of accident, il cannot he learned that the
authorities are doing anything to uncover the
consprators who were responsible for blowing
up the Maine.
AUTONOMY'S FORLORN HOPE.
More Importance Is given to the final effort
Of the Radical Autonomists to negotiate with
Gomez and the insurgent leaders on a new basis
than it's certain outcome warrants. The chief
interest is in the knowledge that the neeotia-
tions are in fact Bancos and that II they are
entertained in any form they will he mme-
diatey clothed with a full official character
few officials profess confidence that Gomez and
the other insurgent leaders will at least. permit
the propositions to be made. and will then die
tate their own terms under which SPANS flag
may remain No ground whatever exists for
this deusion Gomez has already given an indi-
cation OF his answer The insurgents will treat
with Blanco's representatives only on the basis
of independence. With that understanding they
will agree TO an armistiCe while the good Offices
of the United states employed in arranging
an indemnity and other details under which
Spain might be willing to withdraw her troops
and abandon the island.
The Government is cropping in a circuit"
is fbs.n nhraca ,ifadt to nal Ia
terms with the insurgents. II does not go fast
enough 70 travel Probably the best thing fo-
all parties is to have the failure OF the attempted
negotiations with Gomez made known promptly
and emphatically. II there were faint prospect
Of success this could only come through double
dealing.
THE BASIS OF ALL OFFERS
The fifteen propositions Of Gberga and Gown
are still the basis Of all offers made TO the in
surgents Among these is included the disarm-
irg Of the Volunteers. This organization holds
the written assurance of General Parade. au-
thorized by Captain General Banco. that no
such idea Will be entertained. The Sagasta Min
istry in Madrid ndorsed the statement. The
Volunteers are petted They are now taking
part in the regular maneuyres OF the army as
we'll as In the artillery practice. They could not
be dsarmed without a revolution. and the at
tempt will never be made. Nevertheless. the
insurgents have been asked 10 accept scheme
OF enlarged autonomy Of which the disarma-
ment Of the Volunteers is part Of the pro-
gramme They will not be fooled, nor will the
Volunteers be fooled. The deception was meant
10 be practised on the United States, IN seeking
TO make 1t a party to the negotiations and in
measure responsible for their failure That was
the politics OF the Palace. in Havana 1t would
hardly have been adopted here had 1t not been
acceptable in Madrid.
The Autonomist Cabinet. or the Radical men,
bers Of IT, will not be left entirely alone to serve
as scapegoats. General Saano. chief Of the
General staff. while not niorsing all the articles
ir the programme Of final concessions TO the
insurgents had approved them in the main. He
favored inviting Gomez TO take part In the new
Cuban Government that was to be formed. with
the Spanish flag as about the only thing left TO
Spain few other officers OF high rank. who
are devoted To the monarchy, sympathze with
Salano and would join him in making the sacri-
fees which these concessions would demand
The mass Of the army officers. however would
revolt against the propositions II there was a
chance Of ;heir acceptance by the insurgents,
ilst as they revoted In the January riots
against autonomy. That these insubordna;e
army officers quiet is the best evidence that
the attempt TO negotiate on new basis never
had sincere support. Consul General Lee Is
making reports to the State Department on this
matter They are based on full and authentic
information. General Lees reports show that
the United States would be powerless 10 per-
suade the insurgents 10 accept "amplihed au-
tonomy." Government officials here have been
making anxious inquiries regarding the feeling
OF the Administration on this point. and also
whether American public sentiment would sus-
tain mediation OF that kind They have re-
-~ived unfavorable answers
THE PROBLEM BEFORE BLANCo.
The problem which now confronts General