The herald., 1898-02-27
DESIRE NO PEACE WITHOUT
LIBERTY
AUT0NOMISTS' CONCESSIONS
Utterly Scorned Though Including
Everything But the Merest Shade
of Spanish Sovereignty
Associated Press specla, Wire

as momentous to Spain as the loss of the
American war vessel. If an unexpected
discovery should change the present
opinion of the naval experts that the ship
was blown up and thereby assure con-
tinuance of the friedly relations with
the United States, the domestic prob
lens would not be changed. Captain
General Blanco's embarrassments are
appalling.
| Leaving American Intervention,
whether peaceful or otherwise. out of the
mind explanation of the failure of au-
tonomy would soon take the form of an
official confession. The best commentary
on the deadened state of Spanish author
ity in Cuba is found in the absolute in
difference shown toward the proposals
of the radical autonomists. The mean
ing of their proposition to open negotia-
tions with the insurgents on a new
basis is understood in Madrid, where it is
fully discussed. If the shadow of an
overwhe Inning sorrow were not over the
American people it would be discussed in
telligently in the United States. Yet
here in Havana the departure barely
causes passing comment. If the insur-
gents were willing to content them
selves with anything except complete
separation from Spain they would find
in those concessions proposed by the
radical autonomsts a basis of peace.
They would not lay down their arms until
the Spanish Cortes had formally con-
firmed all the propositions. They could
probably go further and demand that
Spain be satisfied with the flag alone
as the emblem of her sovereignty and
that they take possession of the fort
resses and maintain an army and navy
of their own.
Whether they would be willing to pay
even 500, O0O. 900 of the debt might be
doubtful Whether the Sagasta Minis
try could persuade the Spanish people
into yielding so much in order to MAIN
tain the shadow of sovereignty in Cuba
must be judged in Spain and not here.
But it is known that the insurgents will
accept no terms not based on actual
independence.
That Mr.. GOWN, a member of the Cabi-
net. should have been a leading spirit
in the proposition is in it's way import
ant and increases the hostility of the
intransigeantes to autonomy and adds
to their bitterness against the govern
They have never forgiven him for call
ing them birds of passage" and they
are now convinced that his aim is the de-
struction of Spanish sovereignty as the
first step toward full reparation.
1t may not be correct to characterize
the movement as insincere, yet a fatal
weakness is the confession in advance
that the insurgents are not expected to
on ai ada 70
The radicals do not expect that actual
negotiations can be opened With this
feeling, possibly, there is no cause for
wonder at the absolute Indifference of
the Havana public to the politics of the
scheme.
If further concessions would result in
an armistice between Spain and the
insurgents. this blighted island would be
blessed. Many thousands of inhabitants,
who are otherwise doomed to death by
starvation, would be saved. Something
would be preserved in the ruins of the
agriculture. In spite of the immense
area of charred cane fields, a large
amount of sugar could be grown and
marketed. Since he became satisfied
there was not enough commerce left in
Cuba to form the basis of treaty Of
tOllllIltLCt ptlN ttII Spain anu the Hlleu
States Gomez has been more liberal
Several big plantations which have been
in suspense and have paid the nsurgen.
tax, will be allowed to grind. The prom
Use now is of a sugar crop somewhat in
excess of last year.
With an interval Of peace it would be
largely in excess. An armistice would
insure a fair crop along with a further
of the island. Unfortunately, Spain does
not know how to reach direct PROPOSE
ton of this kind. Should the present
menace between her and the United
States be changed to friendly relations,
proof of that friendship might be shown
by asking President McKinley's admin
istration to arrange an armistice with
the insurgents.
THE SPANISH PRESS
MADRID, Feb. 26.-Deputy Mesa
mena, an intimate friend of General
Weyler, has received a message from the
former Captain General of Cuba, de-
nying the report that Weyler took from
the War Department at Havana pa
pers and plans connected with the for
tifications. The Deputy says it is doub-
ly absurd to suppose that General Wey-
Ter placed mines and torpedoes in Ha-
vana bay to endanger navigation with
out warning the shipping. 1t is fur
ther said that all the documents and
plans relating to the campaign in Cuba
are among the archives in the War De-
partment al Havana.
The Impartial today warns Spain "to
distrust the pacific speeches of Presi-
dent Mckinley and that of General
Woodford at the recent banquet here"
adding:
America is actively preparing for the
war which is inevitable if the rebellion
in Cuba is prolonged beyond May"
The Spanish government, it is said, is
senals and is organizing it's marine and
infantry.
Senor Morel, Minister for the Colonies,
declares the fac simile of the letter of
Senor GOWN, the Secretary of the In
terror, published by the Impartial on
Tuesday last, is dissimilar to the auto
graphs of Senor Gown existing in the
Ministry for the Colonies.
I'll Nacional insists upon the authen-
ticity of the fac simie and offers to prove
it before the courts. This paper also
defies the government to prosecute it
and it says that, if proved, it will pub
lish more astounding revelations"
The Impartial, on Tuesday last, pub
lshed a fac simile of a letter from Senior
Gown, the Cuban Secretary of the In
terror, to a friend, in which Gown is
said to have said: