The herald., 1898-04-30
APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE
ISSUED BY CUBAN ADVOCATES
OF AUTONOMY
ODIOUS SCHEMES OF AMERlC CA
Must Be Resisted for the Honor of
Spain and Perpetuation Of
Liberty in Cuba
ated Press Special Wire

HAVANA. April 22.-(Correspondence OF
the Associated Press.) The following is thC
full text of the proclamation issued today
by the autonomous colonial government OF
Cuba:
presidency of the Court of Secretarie:
of the Island of Cuba to the Inhabitants
of Cuba:
1.-THE colonial government, the real repre-
sentatlves of Cuba, is threatened with 3
most unjust and capricious attack by the
United States, an attack which, notwith-
standing it's veil of hypocrisy, threatens tc
restrict our liberty and well being. il
forces us to submit to the world a mos
solemn protest against this iniqutous Of
fense.
I'VE rely on your patriotism and self-de-
nial on your courage and enthusiasm tt
assert our common nationality and rights
in defending the homes and future of OIL,
children.
you will instantly answer to the urgent
| call to arms which, in the name of this ma
ton. has been sent to us by the authorities
of the island. Never at any time of the
history of the world has such contempt
been shown for international law and JUS
tice; never has such an attempt been made
as this undertaking by the United States
| to plunge the island of Cuba, occupied by
| Spain four centuries ago, when that re-
public did not exist save in the imagination
of the colonizers of our race. The island
belongs to the Spanish nation by sacred
| nnd indisputable title, claims that the am
bition and pride of a covetous and hostile
people vainly wish to ignore.
Far the greater part of that North Amer
lean territory was discovered and explored
by our fathers, and that exploit is for their
eternal memory. The mighty Mississippi
covers the remains of fernando De Soto
a former Governor and Captain-General Of
this island. None of the alleged pretexts
iustifies the proposed violation of this is
land. Nor do the pretexts themselves exist
In the hearts and minds of educated people.
1t is not true that the people of Cuba have
taken up arms and that all are in combat
sgainst the sovereignty of the mother
country. This statement is scornfully de-
MED. 1t is not true that Spain has re.
fused to satisfy the just aspiration of the
Cubans, because we are satisfied with the
constitutional basis of autonomy.
"In the preamble the supreme govern
ment explicitly states that no reform which
| makes the laws perfect will be refused &c
further the perfection of the new consti-
tuition, so long as they do not conflict with
| the authorized privileges. 1t is not true
that our people suffer under the oppression
of foreign officers. We are governed with
| out arbitrary measures and have no faui'
to find with men born among us who fol
many years have represented in the oppo
stion our ideals and have maintained will
steadfastness and perseverance our aspir
alton to personal liberty and proper gov
ernment.
"As last statement, it is not true thai
peace is impossible unless the United States
| intervenes, but what is true-and this VIC
declare and proclaim-the world knowing
that none can honestly affirm to the con-
| trary-is that peace would already have
been fact if the United States, either di-
rectly or indirectly had not encouraged the
war, particularly at a time when the quick
tempered people of this unfortunate coun-
try were about to reach an understanding
and become reconciled in the embrace OF
the immortal nation of which we are sons
Inhabitants If this island of Cuba, dur
ing these solemn moments, when we were
about TO take part in the first colonial Par
lament, the United States voluntarily
seeks to arbitrate her destines and delay
the resolutions of your representatives will
view to impeding and craftily annullins
them. The integrity of Spain and the au-
tonomy of Cuba are threatened. In their
ambition the Americans will wish to pos
sess themselves of this island that 1t may
be dominated by strange race, opposed in
temperament tradition, language, religion
and customs to ours. The elimination oi
the latter would silently but fatally be con-
tinued by those who wish to gain true ell.
s,avement and absorption.
'The duty of all is to repel such an Out
rage and such an odious scheme. With un.
animity and decision, let us follow in the
imperishable steps and actions of the he
roic defenders of this capital, who, over a
century ago, contended with the invading
hosts under the English Lord Albemarle
AS Spaniards we owe this duty to our blood
and our history. AS inhabitants of Cuba
we owe it to her.
"Let us forget our personal grievances
and discord before the grand and sublime
object that should direct our wills an6
| wishes. The object is worthy of our sac.
| rifces. Let our souls rise to the heights Of
our trials and our thoughts and actions
to the loftiness of our patriotic duties
Long live Spain! Long live the King, Dor
| AAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAA