The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-19
AUTONOMY, SPANS LAST CARD.


The failure of Cuban autonomy, or home
rule, at an early day is clearly foreshad-
owed. In fact. it is practically failure al
ready, and never has been anything else.
The present scheme of autonomy is the sec
ond stage in the Spanish policy of pacifyng
Cuba by concessions. The first stage was
the PRONUNCIATION by the Spanish govern
ment in February, 1897, of a series of prom
Used reforms which were never realized.
This was under the Canovas Ministry. AL
most the first act of the Sagasta Ministry
was to recall General Weyler, and immedi-
ately afterwards, in November, 1897 was
promulgated the plan of autonomy which
the authorities are now trying to put IN
force. 1t accords a fairly liberal measure
of home rule, and if it had been proposed
a year or two ago would probably have
furnished a basis of settlement. But it
came too late. From the beginning there
has been no reasonable prospect, at least
no indication, of its success, and there is
less now than ever. The insurgents have
mover entertained the thought of accepting
it, and even those who call themselves au-
Economists do not seem to have any faith in
the plan. The Conservatives, or Weyler
faction, in Cuba have opposed it from the
beginning on the ground that it was alb
surd to suggest the establishment of au-
tonomy before the rebellion was put down
by force of arms.
The present scheme provides for Cuban
parliament of two chambers. The Senate
is to consist of thirty-ive members, of
whom eighteen are elective and seventeen
appointed for life by the captain general
on behalf of the crown. and the Chamber of
Deputies is to consist of one member for
every $1,000 inhabitants. The scheme also
provides for colonial ministry, consisting
of five secretaries, or heads of departments,
appointed by the captain general. The
various secretaries were appointed by Gen.
Blanco some time ago, and elections for
members of the Parliament have been or
dered to take place on the 23d of April next.
The Spanish authorities are preparing to
attach much Importance to these elections
as proof that the plan of autonomy is ac-
eepted by the Cuban people, but it is plain
that elections held under existing circum-
stances will have little or no significance.
Senator Proctor makes some statements
bearing on the subject. In that part of his
statement relating to the political situa-
ton in Cuba, he says:
They (the autonomists) are so far too
inconsiderable in numbers to be worth
counting. General BlancO filed the civil
offices with men who had been autonomists
and were still classed as such. But the
march of events had satisfied most of them
that the chance for autonomy came too
late. 1t falls as talk of compromise would
have fallen the last year or two of our
war. If it succeeds it can only be by
armed force, by the triumph of the Spanish
army, and the success of Spanish arms
would be easier by Weylers policy and
people believe. inquired in regard
TO autonomy OF men of wealth and men as
prominent in business as any in the cities
of Havana, MatanZaS and Sagua, bankers,
merchants, lawyers and autonomist Off
Gals. some Of them Spanish born but Gu
ban bred, one prominent Englishman, sew
eral of them known as autonomists, and
several of them telling me they were still
believers in autonomy if practicable but
too late' for that. There is soon
to be an election, but every polling place
must be inside a fortified town. Such cleo
lions ought to be safe for the 'ins."
From this it is evident that intelligent
Cubans think autonomy has come too late,
and that Senator Proctor does not think
the coming elections will have any signifi-
canoe. The insurgents of whom there are
10000 in the field, will have nothing to do
with the elections, and will never accept
autonomy except by force. 7. Estrada
Palma, President of the Cuban Junto, in a
strong statement, published yesterday, said:
'There is no way to compel the Cubans to
accept autonomy except by force of arms,
and Spain has proven impotent to compel
us by force to accept autonomy"
The conclusion of the whole matter is
that autonomy is doomed to speedy fail
ure. if it is not already failure, and with
it will fail Spain last hope of pacifying
Cuba, either by force or by concessions.
Autonomy is SPANS last card, and when
that is played the game will be ended and
lost.