New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-03
AN HISTORIC CUBAN CABINET.
THE MEN WHO TRIED TO INTRODUCE
AUTONOMY

Havana Nov. os (speciaD.-with the resignation
OF the Autonomist Cabinet following Captain-Gen-
eral Blancos retirement ends a short yet interest
ing chapter OF history. This Cabinet represented
SPANS tardy and desparlng effort 70 save her
vanishing sovereignty In the Antilles. Some Of Its
members will remain in the island and accept the
conditions Others. 1t is reported Will end
their lives In Spain. though they are Cuban born.
They would not be in full sympathy with the future
government. whether II be an independent
whether annexation to the United States follows
This Autonomist Cabinet was appointed in De-
cenber last and took Office January !. 1898. Its
membership follows: President. without
portfolio. Jose Maria Galvez: Secretary Of the
Treasury. Rafael Montoro; Secretary OF Justice
and Government. Antonio GOWN: Secretary OF Pub
l.c Instruction Francisco Zayas: Secretary of Pub
lie Works. Eduardo DALI Secretary of Agriculture
and Commerce. Laureano Rodriguez. The events
Of eleven months need not he told in detail TO
show that the last three departments were not
hurdened with functions. They were practically
non-existent
THIS Cabinet was made up OF what were known
rs historic and Radical Autonomists. with a re
formsta" moderate supporter of Spanish SOW
creieny sandwched in between them. The hope
tnat the Radical members would be able TO
exercise persuasive influence the insurgents
!; proved a fallacious one. GOWN was the lead
ing Radical in the Cabinet. He had been an ag-
esessive supporter OF autonomy from the oesih-
ming OF that movement. and the Spanish ConserVa-
ives had frequently charged that he was Sepa-
raiist When the instruction broke out he ala
lot join it, but his principles and his sympathies
were so we'll known that he came under the ban
Of Weyler's suspicion. Unable to identify himself on
the one Rand with the Instruction. and. on the
other hand. unwilling indorse the policy or the
spanish Government in suppressing 1t. he went I'M
,c.untary exile in the United States. lie settled
with his family at Atlanta, Ga, ana relnaiheu Ieie
yntl the regime of autonomy was estaohsheu u III
der BlancO. Then he accepted the place IN tne
AufonOmist Cabinet and eXerted himselt heroicdty
t. secure rs acceptance by the CUBAN ,peopIe
Gown Is a man OF executive force. ano whlie ms
lave him strength. he has been the most agrees
e,ve member Of the Cabinet.
Rafael MontOrO the leader or the historic
Autono:nisfs. HIS friends claimed for him the nom
In Spain than any others of the Cuban pubciss
HIS writings had made for him European repu,
tation. and he was not unknown In the tniteui
states. In Cuba he was appreciated as man o.
4 sold leader lie feared the consequences OF the
Esurrection, and said bitter things about H. He
accented the reforms OF CanoVaS as a step toward
colonial home rule. His talents were great, put he
had lost the confidence OF his own people. Though
The ablest and most conspicuous ember OF the
ca oinet, his influence has not been marked He Is
believer In the Latin race and u is SAID OF MN
that he prefers spending the remainder or MS Ire
IN Span to watching its contact and possible con-
fict with Anglo Saxon civilization IN CUBA.
He eminent lawyer ana as an orator
lie has been credited with declaring that he would
rather see Cuba sink under the sea than that 1t
should he AmercaniZed. But his FRIENDS inter-
violent supporter Of Spanish sovereignty. and would
have been willing TO watch its gradua; disappear-
ance into Cuban independence. He Will probably
remain IN the island.