Evening star., 1898-04-01
THE END is IN SIGHT
Indications Of Collapse Of Spanish
Sovereignty in Cuba.
CAN Be EFFECTED IN THREE MONTHS
War Feeling Among the Cuban
Volunteers is Rampant.
SN EERS AT AMERICAS S
Copyright, 1898, by Charles NJ Pepper.)

Copyright, 1898, by Charles NJ. Pepper)
Special From Stan Correspondent.
KEY WEST, Fla, April madrid and
Washington still have the key TO the Cuban
situation. It will take three months to
wind up Spanish sovereignty on the island
in an orderly way. Some developments to-
day indicate that the process has begun,
though nothing definite is known of the
conditions laid down in the note presented
by Woodford and of the reply. Officials
here still talk cf the duty of the United
States to compel the insurgents to permit
the Spanish flag to remain.
Nevertheless, It is known positively that
the insurgents VIII reject any proposition
short of actual Independence. though 1t
may be put before them tentatively on be-
half of the administration.
Gomez Will Not Consent.
Gomez will not consent to spend the re-
manning years of his life, which cannot be
many. in upholding the Spanish flag in Gu
ba. That is all there is or can be to the
propositions for Spain to retain nominal
sovereignty, even for a few years. The let
ter of Gomez addressed to an official of the
United States, in which his position is made
clear should have reached the State De-
partment by this time. If the understand
ing held by officials here Is correct, Con-
gress before long, instead Of disc scussing war,
may be discussing the purchase of inde-
pendence.
Notwithstanding the present unpopularity
of that plan, 1t may be the basis Of an ult:-
mate peaceful settlement. The autonomist
cabinet has been asked by Madrid to defer
expenses for the further continuance Of the
war. This is at once an atsurdity and a
confession that Spain cannot much longer
stand the drain on its resources. This feel
ing paves the way for the acceptance of in
demnity. The collapse of the aut0nomist
cabinet seems near. The reported resigna-
tions of Gown and Montora, leaders of the
rival factions in the cabinet, are credited
in face of their denials.
Blnnco's BandO Worthless.
Bianco's bando permitting reconcentrados
to return to their houses in the country Is
worthless paper. The condition of these
people is not such now as to call for con-
gressional appropriation. The emergency
has been met by the relief movement which
has finally been extended to all parts Of the
island. Relief enough is in sight to last
two months. CHARLES NJ. PEPPER.
The Feeling in Havana.
Special From a Stat Correspondent
HAVANA, March 50. via Port Tampa.
Fla, March 31.-Havana has had its era Of
peaceful feeling, even when Madrid was
bent on war. Now, when Madrid is said 10
be peacefully inclined, Havana continues
to look forward to war with the United
States. There is no outward expression of
,the feeling. 1t might be said that the sit
uation has reached the stage where
frenzied loyalty has given way to tranquil
patriotism pitched on high key.
Tie real difficulty about Spain's yielding
its control ever Cuba is known to lie in
Spain. Possibly that account the Sa-
gasta ministry is taking no pains to mol
crate the violent sentiments of the Spanish
classes in Cuba. They are still running at
full tilt. If the people on the peninsula
can be made to see that they must let go,
and if they accept the situation without
upsetting the monarchy. the loyalists on
the island may acquiesce. They know they
cannot of themselves make war with the
United States. At present they are KEEP.
in the dark as to what is going on In
Madrid and Washington. The rigid press
censorship is extended even to private tele-
grams, which are also suppressed, so that
knowledge of what takes place is impos-
sibie. 1t might, therefore, be arranged
that Spain, through the good offices of the
United States, would concede the inde-
pendence of Cuba before the Spanish
classes here could, by their action, make
the concession more difficult If negotia-
tions proceeding any other basis
the time is wasted.
Sovereignty Only Mnfntniaed by Force
The whole city understands that if Span
foh i<yy,tH fJa iS-1o
1t can only be through superior forces. In
this respect the population here has the
advantage of the people in Spain who may
really be deluded into the belief that the
insurgents are seeking an armistice, OF
willing to entertain propositions not based
on the full recognition Of independence.
They know better here because the in
transigents know, even If they do not credit
the reports, that the Madrid ministry is
negotiating on this basis. They think the
play is for more time, and that perhaps
the administration at Washington may o.
deceived. The notion of Sagasta fooling
the Yankees p!eases them. They will make
no demonstrations unless they find it is
themselves who have been fooled. Then
the question will be whether the govern
ment is strong enough to restrain them. 1t
cannot be answered with certainty in ad-
vance, just now tney are showing some
self-restraint. The incitement of the news
papers Is not met with hostile demonstra-
tions. The suggestion of the Weylerite
organ for a general slaughter of the Ameri-
can pigs does not bring the expected
slaughter. On the surface. the city was
never more quiet. The people, with whom
are included the volunteers and the army
officers keep talking of naval war and the
unprotected coast cities of the United
States. Part of them accept with compla-
cency the suggestions that the painting Of
the American warships black is of no con-
sequence. because when the Spanish
cruiser gets after them the warships will
turn white.
Old Spanish Braxgadocio.
Thsre 10 much Of the old talk that every
Spaniard is Don Quixote and every Yam
kee a money maker, who would never risk