The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-11
NO HOPE FOR AUTONOMY.
GEN. LEE SAYS OFFICIALLY THAT
IT WILL NOT SUCCEED.


That the CesscFvatives Will Make . Denon-
stration Against Blsuco asd Cooperate with
the Cabans IN Achisvipe Inaspenaeucs
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1o.-while the Spanish
Government has boen> telling tho world that
Cuban autonomy hos come TO stay, and tho new
civil authorities OF tho island, with the assist
ancc OF tho Spanish Minister in Washington,
have been spreading broadcast information
about tho successful inauguration Of tho auton-
omist scheme. C~onsul.Gonoral Leo has boon tell
ing quite q different story in his reports to the
State Department. Tho Consul-General IL on
record officially as saying that the policy Of
autonomy will not succeed. He has pointed out
In his several communications on the subject
the uttor inability Of the Sagasta Ministry to
mako the Cuban people accept in good faith his
promises of reform. He has given reasons for
the prediction that tho insular government will
not accomplish Its avowed purposes, and looks
for q collapse at an early date.
These reports from Gen. Leo cannot DO OBJ
tained for publication, for tho obvious reason
that this would be an affront to Spain, and prob
ably would force to q crisis the already strained
relations between that country and the United
States. There 10 no doubt, however. that Gen.
Lee has made the plainest sort Of comments on
the attempt Of Captain.General Blanco TO per-
suade the Cubans that autonomy 10 merely an
other name for Independence. Gen. Leo has q
soldierly disregard for hair>splitting diplomatic
phraseoloRy, and there 10 no misunderstanding
his rugged expressions Of belief that autonomy
will prove another Of the several nascos that
have followed the attempts Of Spain to end the
war in Cuba.
Gen. Lees statements in regard to the futility
of the autonomist policy are backed by other
Official statements in the possession Of tho State
Department. The department has boon told by
one of Its best-informed officers that tho now
reforms are likely to receive their deathblow
from the very element that has supported the
prosecution Of the war against tho insurgents.
the Incorporating Spanish Conservatives In
Havana and elsewhere in tho island, from whom
Weyler and his methods received the greatest
encouragement.
Whether this information has been given the
department verbally or in writing is not known,
but in whatever way It was furnished, It has
created tho greatest interest among those off,
cially concerned and has been accepted as wor-
thy Of serious consideration. It is to the effect
that o counter movement against Spain Is being
Matched by the loyal Spanish residents Of Cuba.
who have become disgusted with the misman-
agement and disaster which hav marked the
attempts to put down the rebellion and have no
faith whatever in the HON rule scheme. They
believe that Weyler's policy was better than that
of Blanco. The Inauguration of autonomy is
considered by them to be merely preliminary to
a surrender. and by working against 1t they
hope to redeem in some measure tho losses
which they have met since the struggle for
liberty began.
The confident assertion has been made to the
State Department. backed by corroborative
opinions held in tho Consulate-General at Ha.
vana. thatwhen spring comes and tho unhealthy
= l. -.-t- H---- - -
another period OF inactivity, tho Spanish Con-
ton against Captain-General Blanco and his
policy Of peace. and then make overtures
to the insurgents for ending tho war
on a basis pecuniarily satisfactory to the
loyalists In exchange for the establishment
of Cuban independence. Whether the Conser-
~vatives. who have the support Of the infuen-
tial military organization known as the Ha.
vana Volunteers, Weyler's pet '~sofdiery, will
resort to arms is something that nobody can
foretell at this time. but there is every reason
to believe that such will be the case II Blanco
attempts ~coercivo methods to suppress this
uprising within his own household.
The State Department has also been getting
reports from n trustworthy source in regard to
the conditionain Spain and the attitude OF the
Spanish Ministry in Cuban affairs. 1t is asserted
in these that while tho Ministers are apparently
earnestly DESTROYS of having the autonomist pol
icy prove successful. as private individuals they
are not confident that the rosy predictions OF
SaRasta and Blanco will be verified. They are
expressing unoficially the opinion that tho ex.
prossions concerning Cuba In President Mo-
Kinley's message contain IN implied threat
against Spain, and they share the general hatred
of this country for its sympathy with the cause
of the insurgents.
Attention il called in these communication
to tho rabid utterances OF tho Spanish newspa-
per Ell impartial, a semi-officlAl organ, which
Is urging the Madrid Government to begin tho
construction Of a formidable navy, In prepara-
ton for a struggle with the United States.
These editorials are cited as Indicative of the
uncertain feeling which prevails throughout
Spain, and the statement Is made that nobody
can tell what will happen. Everybody In Span
fish official lifo is apprehensive of trouble with
America in the near future, and the State Do
partment is given 10 understand that q crisis
may be precipitatod at any moment.
USING KANGAROO TENDONs.