Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-05
| GLOOMY OUTLOOK FOR The ISLAND
Little Understanding as to Popular
Government.
NOT A SUCCESS
Copyright, 1893, by Charles NJ Pepper.)
Of The Evening Ster


control or guide the influences which seem
to be shaping the destiny of Spain in the
Antilles. Those who drift with events
know that at any moment they may be
swept over the rapids. Those who stand
on the shore know that it is useless for
them to cry out warnings. The current has
become cataract. They can close their
eyes II they will. Some do not choose to
close their eyes. An evening passed in the
home of one Of these gave me a vivid i'm
preston of the intensity OF despair that has
settled over the Spanish classes in Cuba
Inc treasures, luxury and culture in that
hcrse might shut out all thought of the
Wretchedness of war, famine and pesti-
fence which is spread over the island. The
fortunate owner has not suffered by the in
surrection which has brought ruin and pow
erty to so many others of good estate He
is so situated that he will not suffer- In
his own person he might discuss the prob
lens and the prospects of the future with
cynical philosophy. But in despair there
is neither cynicism nor philosophy.
Commonly, the anonymous interview is
not a valuable contribution to public
knowledge. In present circumstances it is
the only means of uncovering real senti-
Inent. Some persons of prominence are
rea1y with manufactured opinions that au-
tonomy will succeed. That it is succeeding
they do not say. Their views are all cast
In the same mold. Tney reflect an aspira tion
ra ther than an analysis of wnat is going
on around them. Opinions hostile to the
government policy do not find open utter
ant The censorship prevails. The regi
men Of autonomy has not brought the regi-
men Of free speech and free press This
preface is necessary to explain why l do
not quote by name the Spaniard whose
comment on the questions of the hour is
herewith recorded. 1t is worth stating that
his support would have been welcomed by
the Sagasts ministry He has not placed
himself in the attitude of All opponent, but,
like other influential members of the Span
is5l class, declares he is not in harmony
with the aew order. His influence is both
means of knowing what is happening are
not to be doubted. have had occasion to
test both their completeness and their ac-
curacy.
One Spaniard's Views.
MY home is not an insurgent camp"
said the host that evening as he handed
me a cigar, 80 you may talk autonomy if
you will and pledge that you shall go out
through over your country and my country
-'cosas de Espana' and 'cosas de los Es-
tados Unidos;' but let it not be over a bone
without meat. What can tell you about
autonomy
He could tell me nothing on that subject.
I knew his position beforehand, and in fair
ploit the principles of the new political sys-
we
to other matters, pauslng only long enough
for him to pay personal tribute to the
sincerity and unselfishness of the historic
autonomist leaders. asked for state
ment Of present conditions and future pros
poets for Cuba and for Spain.
Present conditions?" said nv host re-
peating my question, "self-deceit, individual
self-deceit, national self-deceit. Do not call
it duplicity. That implies it is practiced on
others, and If you in the states call names
we can retort in kind. We deceive our
selves and we suffer for it. They complain
ed in Spain that they were deceived while
General Weyler was here. Are they better
of now? We read of Sagasta and the cab-
net being occupied with the coming peace
in Cuba, with the expected presentation of
1nsurgent chiefs, with the news of improve
ment in commerce. You do not believe it
because you are here and can see for your
SELL The palace does not believe it. the
army In Cuba knows it is not SO, but they
want to believe it in Spain and they deceive
themselves
For myself" he continued, '.I shall no
longer practice self-deceit. Eight months
ago wanted the lnsurrection to end and
l said the end would come within a year.
l was wrong. Now I do not say it would
have ended by May if General Weyler had
remained. do not believe it would have
ended. But the insurrection has renewed
itself since General Blanco came. 1t is
not military policy to permit the enemy to
strengthen himself while you are prepar-
ing to disarm him by a new system of civil
government. That Is what has happened.
In what other country could the Ruiz kill
ing have occurred? He was my friend. 1
mourn his loss and denounce the fnsur-
gents for killing him. but what kind of
military authority have we which per-
mitted him to go out to his death and then
makes confession that he was not under
flag of truce? General Weyler was cruel,
savage, remorseless. whatever you in the
states please to call him, but his military
policy was not one of imbecility.''
The suggestion that the insurrection had
renewed itself was startling, and I asked
for the facts on which this opinion was
based.
What is going on in the field" was the
terse replN "You will not find much INTEL
ligence Of victories by our troops In the
reports. Do not misunderstood me. 1 must
speak respectfully of Gomez and Garcia
and the rest of them because some day I
may have to take off my hat to them here
In Havana, but am not in serious fear
of having to make them salutation. They
might win a dozen battles and they would
be no nearer occupying Havana than they
are today. They have neither the forces
nor the resources for following up success.
The war will go on as 1t has been going on.
for Spain Is also able to maintain IT. Ali
I mean to say is that autonomy has ac-
complished nothing in the direction Of
peace"
Interventfen by the United States.
Intervention by the United States is
delicate subject to broach to q -Spaniard in