The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-02-27
Spanish Authority 10 Cuba Is Now
Dead Letter.
AUToNoMIsTs ARE NOT IN IT
Insurgents Can Demspd Almost Anythiag
but the Flag Will Accept Nothing tx
eept Complete Separation.

New York. February A.-ln the turmoil
over the Maine disaster internal Cuban
policies are forgotten, says the Havana
correspondent Of the Tribune. Neyerthe-
less recent movements promise 10 be a.
momentous 20 Spain as the loss Of the
American warshlp. II an unexpected dis
coyery should change the present opinion
of the naval experts that the ship was
blown up and thereby assure a continu-
nnco ~ the friendly relations with the
United States. the domestic problems
would not be changed. Captain-General
Blnncoa embarrassments are appalling.
Leaving American Intervention. whether
peaceful or otherwise. out OF mind tht
explanation Of the failure of autonomy
would soon take the form Of an oficlai
confession. The best commentary OF the
dead state Of Spanish authority In cuba
IL found IN the absolute Indifference
shown towards the proposals OF radical
autonomists The meaning OF their propo-
slti0n to open negotiations with the in
surecnts on a new basis Is understood In
Madrid. II the shadow Of an oyerwhelm-
irg sorrow were not over the American
people II would be discussed intelllgently
IN the United States. Yet here In Havana
the departure barely causes passing COM
mtnt. n the insurgents were willing 10
content themselves with anything except
complete separation from Spain. they
would find In those concessions proposea
by the radical autonomists a basis o..
Ecace They would not lay down THEN
arms until the Spanish cortes had FORM
/ ally confirmed all the propositions. They
could probably go further and demanu
| that Spain be satisfied with the flag alone
as the emblem OF her sovereignty anu
| they take possession Of the fortresses an.
maintain an army and navy OF their own.
| Whether they would be willing TO pay
] even 500. .Go0o OF the debt might be
\ doubtful. Whether the Spanish ministry
/ could persuade the Spanish people to ao-
cept must be Judged In Spain and no,
(, here. But II is known that the insurgents
/ viii accept no terms not based ON actual
Independence That Mr. Gown member
Of the cabinet. should have been a leadins
| spirit In the propositions is in its way Inn
| pcrtant They have never forgiven him
for calling them birds OF passage" ana
they are now convinced that his aim is
, the destruction OF Spanish sovereignty
! While Secretary Gown adds to his un-
popularity among the intransigents there
Is no ground for surprising that he will
gain favor with the insurgents.
With this feeling possibly there is no
cause for wonder at the indifference of the
Havana public to the politics OF the
| rIa A.s..
ing to surrender the control OF the Cuban
government to the insurgents discharges
the responsibility which the Madrid min
istry has placed on them OF persuading
the insurgents out OF existence.
II further concessions would result in
an armistice between Spain aud the In
surgents. this blighted island would be
blessed. Many thousands OF the inhabit-
ants who are otherwise doomed to death
by starvation would be saved.
In spite OF the immense area of charreu
cane fields, large amount OF sugar cour.
be ground and marketed Since he be-
came satisfied there was not enough COM
merce left in Cuba to form the basis OF
a treaty OF commerce between spain anu
the United States. Gomez has been more
liberal Several big plantations whiCB
have been in suspense and have paid the
insurgent tax will be allowed TO grino,
The promise is now of sugar crop some
what in excess of last year.
Should the present menace between
Spain and the United States be changed
into friendly relations, provision OF
friendship might be shown by asking Pres
ident McKinleys administration TO ar
range an armiStice with the insurgents.