The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-29
Independence or Death. ~

In view of the suggestion emanating
from the Spanish minister at Washing
ton that the United States give Spain
another chance to snare the Cuban in
surgents in an autonomy scheme, this
time not so palpably inslncere as was
the first one, it may not be out of place
to remember what the head of the
Cuban revolutionary movement in this
country, Delegate Tomas Estrada Pal
ma, said on this subject in an appeal
to the American people issued on March
II, with this very suggestion in view.
From the first" the appeal says,
our motto has been independence or
Death We are now more firmly than
ever determined to carry out our pro-
gramme. AS We will not accept, we
will not even discuss, proposals of au-
tonomy. After three years of the most
sanguinary. barbarous and uncivilized
warfare OF modern times, carried on
by Spain, we are stronger than ever.
1t Is for us to say what will satisfy us,
not for others. l cannot think that the
American people have forgotten the
principle laid down in their own Declar-
alton of Independence, nor can be-
lieve that any true American can be
found who would advise us to forsake
the ideal of republican government for
the monarchical, even in its most lib
eral form.
There is no way to compel the
Cubans TO accept autonomy, except by
force of arms. We have fought three
years, not against Spain alone, but
against the whole world; not helping
hand was extended to us, no country
gave us equal rights with Spain.
Nevertheless, We never faltered. We
always appreciated the fact, that the
| sympathy of the American people was
with us. Spain has proven impotent
| to compel us by force to accept au-
| tonomy. She now desires the aid Of
| the United States, to compel us to ac-
| cept. / cannot believe that the Ameri-
| can government would ever lend itself
| to the most treacherous and blood
! stained monarchy of history, for such
purpose. Should such prove to be
the case, however, I declare, in the
name Of the Cuban people in arms, that
force alone can compel our submis-
sion.
! 1--WE, who have seen hundreds of
thousands of our race and families ex-
! terminated by slow starvation, by a
cowardly decree of the most inhuman
commander of sanguinary Spain, will
| fight against anything but independ-
ence. no matter who opposes us. If,
unfortunately, this incredible proposal
be carried into effect, and American
bayonets are arrayed against us in our
struggle for freedom and in aid of the
Spanish monarchy, we will fight on,
sadly, but determined, and let history
judge whether the vanquished had not
a purer ideal of free institutions than
the victors. In such case we will be
exterminated, but future generations
will again take up our flag and our as
pirations, and Cuba will yet be free
1t may be that the president OF the
United States, rather than go to war
would be willing to see this brave re.
solve of an abused but still heroic peo.
pie undermined by Spanish diplomacy
although we doubt It. The more prob
able supposition is that he recognizes
the hopelessness of Span's latest move
and is willing to permit 1t to be tried
simply in order that Spain may hav,
no further excuse for trying to keel
her flag afloat over Cuba. Be that
however, as 1t may, the judgment o
the country is that Spain's time is up
that she is entitled to no further grace
Independence for Cuba, and tha
without price or reservation, should b
Americas compensation for the treach
/, | cry to the Maine.