New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-13
SPANISH POLICY IN CUBA.

A curious story comes from Havana concern.
ing the origin of Spanish luminosity against the
American Consul-GenCral II is said that Or.
CDnoosto. the Seer, tary-t General OF the Spanish
Government in Cuba. asked General Lee what
he thought Of the system Of autonomy recently
established in that island; and that General Lee
replied that II would he nll right II ii were ac-
cepted BY the Cubans and brought peace, but
that II was evidently not acceptable to the in
surgcn,s il had not brought pence. and II must
therefore be rcckoned failure This reply Is
said to have inconscd DIR. COngostO ana at leaS;
one Of his colleagues against General Lee. ana
10 have caused them to make efforts AT Madrid
10 secure the recall or dismissal Of the latter.
The story may or may not be true. Ii is not
impossible and does not seem improbable.
Whether or not General Lee should have en-
swcred the question so frankly. or ut all, may
he open to debate But Of two vital points
there can bc no doubt. One Is that the Span
ish Secretary had no right TO ask the question
unless he was ready 70 receive. and to accept
in good part n straightforward answer to II.
The other is that. according TO the reports Of
the Spanish authorities themselves the answer
imputed IN neral Lee was exactly truthful
and accurate.
II Ia idle 10 attempt to disguise the fact that
autonomy has failed either 10 paclfy the IN
surgen,s or to harmonic The non insurccnt fac.
tlons. The war continues. II actually Increases
IN scope and activity. No rebel leader Of i'm
portancc has accepted AUTONOMY. No cons!d-
erable body Of rebels has surrendered There
Is not even disposition manifested TO consider
Spaln's offer The killing If Ruiz was the
characteristic and significant answer Of the in
xvi,ic hoy IN n
and again whenever opportunity is presented.
In Spanish phrase. they are bent upon war 10
the knife. and rhc knife to the hir." until full
10 condemn the Spanish offer nor approve
the attitude Of the insurgents. II is simply 10
state n fact of record Equally matter of fact
Is II that the various Spanish parties in Cuba
have not como 10 an agreement in support Of
autonomy. The Conservatives have opposed
the system. and even threatened To withhold
from any participation in elections under H. and
their partial support has nj last been secured
only by what seems much Ike a wrecking OF
the autonomisi scheme.
As a confirmation &C and natural sruuel IA
these facts now comes tie announcement 'ha,
The Spanish Administration has decided upou-
and has indec'l entered uron-a radical change
of policy. It has abandoned hope Of parl6ca-
Ton through offers ~ autonomy. and is revert
ing "a he OIL system ~ military repression
Bu with what prospect Of success 1t tried
tha, system. with It's utmost skill and human
~. under Marshal Camros. and failed II
iritl 1t aGan. with all possible fcrocitr and rc
Ientlessness urd"r Wcvlcr. md failed II nd
mitted that I. had failed. in IL temporary alan.
donment of the system and in rs substitution
Of offers Of autonomy Ard now II turns from
Us latest failure hack To former failure, Sure
j. u can have scant expectation 81 sympathy.
or even of patience. on the part Of other ma
lions. Spain has right 10 queil domestic dls-
turhanccs ard 10 maintain her authority over
lar own. unvcxcd by outside Interference. No