The herald., 1898-04-03

autonomist cabinet will be used as a scape-
goat for the Spanish public.
| Gen. Blanco's bando (decree), which
permits the reconcentrados to go back to
| the country without entail, Is valueless as
| practical measure. 1t might have done
| some good In November. Now, when
| when women and children constitute q
very great majority Of the reconcentrados.
1t has no real bearing on the conditions.
| At first the bando was thought to be a
| diplomatic move to checkmate President
McKinleys policy of forcibly succoring the
| reconcentrados. If necessary. That may
| have been one purpose. yet the issuance
of the bando is a confession that the in
surrection cannot be put down by Spain's
arms. The return Of the people In large
| numbers to their l7omes would give the
revolution increased strength. No effort
has yet been made by the authorities 70
| moderate the war sentiment OF the Span
| ish classes in Havana.
| The papers publish attacks on Ameri-
cans with the pretence of showing how
formidable Is the Spanish squadron. The
majority Of the population still think that
war with the United States is an early
probability. Peace negotiations will have
to be unfolded to them gradually. These
! negotiations do not .quench the ardor OF
the Spanish war party IN Cuba. This Is,
possibly, the least of embarrassments of
the home government in Madrid, however.
Its representatives here let the martial
feeling develop itself without check They
| even encourage the idea that Spain could
safely venture on a war with the United
| States, because the European powers
| would support he-.
| A small element among the Spanish
| merchants and planters know the folly of
| this talk, but this element cannot come
out openly and antagonize the war party.
The aim Of the merchants, who lost con-
| fAence In Spain's ability to maintain her
sway in Cuba, is either an American pro-
| tectorate or annexation Instead of grow
ing stronger they become weaker in the
| presence of the crisis between the two
countries. when every Spaniard, who is
not ready to undertake hostilities, is looked
upon with distrust Their influence for
peace cannot be counted on as either a
check or guide to the popular movement.
Some Of the autonomist leaders go with
the tide They are more bitter against the
! United States than are the intransigeants.
They hold 1t responsible for the failure of
| autonomy, by which force of circum-
| stances brings their own failure. How
ever. autonomists, either as leaders or
as followers are not numerous enough to
make their sentiments a factor Of import
ance The functions of the autonomst
government in the domestic concerns of
the islands have been weak. In interna-
tional affairs It is a cipher.
| The Spanish classes do not need educa-
ton regarding the condition of the revolu-
ton as do the people Of Spain. They
know the insurgents will never sue for
peace; that the only hope of the peninsula
lies in determination. Possibly because of
| their superior knowledge. the Spaniards in
| Cuba are tranquil over the reports Of at
| tempted negotiations. They believe all
efforts for an armistice will fail because
the insurgents will not accept it, unless it is
based on independence. That the Sagasta
cabinet is preparing through the good off,
ces Of the United States for conceding the
| independence of Cuba is incredible to these
| loyal and patriotic supporters of the
mother country. The course Of Captain
General Blanco and of the authorities has
| not been such as to prepare them for
such action. If this proves to be the case
| they will not be easily or readily reconclled
They had rather talk of war with the
OHltcQ 0tdt{Ss AHat 10 Wudt tAcy are
doing, while Madrid and Washington are
talking peace.
GOOD ORDER PREVAILS
| HAVANA, April 2-The newspaper men
here, from news which they have received
from the interior and exterior of the island,
regard the situation as critical. The tone
OF all the morning papers is intensely
patriotic. The Constitution this morning
says:
at Is time to let the public know the
real state of affairs between the United
States and Spain. We deprecate undue
lfanfaronade, cries of TO Washington
Like those of "A Berlin of France before
Sedan.
"The interest taken here in the situa-
ton is great. but order has been preserved
to the present writing. while the authori-
ties are taking measures to secure con-
tinued tranquility in the city"
THE JUNTA PROGRAM
NEW YORK, April 2-The Cuban Junta
was the scene of considerable activity last
might and the leaders of the movement in
this country were in conference during the
igreater part of the night. The result of
this conference was that 1t was definitely
decided to disband the Junta in the event
iof war being declared between the United
States and SPAIN Tomas Estrada Palma,
the Cuban representative in Washington,
and all the other Cubans connected with
the work Of the Junta, except those who
|are actually needed in Washington, will
reurn to Cuba and take UP arms in de-
Tense of their country.
It was said that fully 5000 other Cubans
who are In the United States would go to
Cuba at the same time. The reason that
lso many Cubahs have remained here dur
ing the war. 1t was explained at the Junta,
lis because 1t is absolutely necessary to
have funds to carry on the war for inde-
pendence. and these Cubans have by their
work here furnished large sums of money
to the insurgents and thus enabled them to
carry on the rebellion. The further ne
cessity for their work here would be done
away with in the event Of war between
Spain and this country and they could
then go to the island and add to the Cuban
army much strength.
MEXICO'S CONGRESS