Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-25

purpose of emphasizing that. being near
absolute independence. II is not worth
while to stop short of the goal Gown.
Giberga. Amblard and the other radical
autonomists know in advance that the
movement will be a failure, but If the
Spanish people require it they may make
further advance and seek the friendly
Offices of the United States in presenting
q different proposition to the insurgents
Americans Are Incredulous.
The majority of Americans In Havana do
not accept the view. They fear no way ex-
lists of enabling the populace. the army off,
GERS and the Official classes who rejoiced
In the calamity to the Maine to stand the
full power of the United States except out
side of the pacific channels of diplomacy.
1t is their hope that they may be mistaken.
Perhaps better judgment of the probabili-
ties be formed in Spain than here.
Violent as are their instincts of ignorant
hatred. the Spanish fntra nsigentes in Cuba
are only likely TO invite the consequences
of conflict until they get the word from
the intransigentes in Madrid. II the ma
tional sentiment there overflows, the over
flow Is certain to engulf Cuba.
The American who explained to me the
theory that there will be no war and no
outbreak. has arranged his affairs so that
ne may leave on snort HOtiCe- AHdt uoeS
not indicate lack of faith in his theory
so much as a lack of confidence in the
Spanish populace. Their fury might be di-
rected against Captain General Blanco and
his associates who represent the policy OF
autonomy. demonstration begun in that
manner might take a wide range and end
in an engagement with the Yankee" war
ships. should the efforts of two govern
ments fail to avert hostilities. Americans
in Cuba will not wait for formal decIara-
lions from either government. but will
leave little earlier Many of them would
rather make a return trip in the uncertain
event of war.
Disposition of Consular Archives.
1t is presumed the consular archives
which could not be removed would be
placed in the custody of consuls represent
ing other nations. Citizens of the United
States who remained on the island would
undoubtedly be accorded the protection of
other corsulates. but IL mob violence be-
came rampant it might be question how
far these representatives of European coun-
tries could afford physical protection.
Not many born Americans are in Cuba
now. The most of them would undoubted-
ly be able to leave before the trouble be-
came serious. With the Cubans who have
become naturalized citizens of the United
States the case is different. Most of them
have families, and are unable to get away.
During a recent trip through the central
part of the island 1 found the American
eonsuIs and the naturalized Cubans had
been thinking of this matter. which for
them is a very serious one. They are not
50 apprehensive as they would have been
two or three months ago. The reason is
that element N AT
understands what will be the inevitable re-
suit if Spain gets into trouble with the
United States. They are all looking for
American protection in the future On
that account. the disposition is to do moth
ing that will be treasured up against them.
This is emphatically true of the Spanish
property owners. But there is always dam
ger from the ignorant Spanish popuiace
and the depth of the popular ignorance
does not seem to be grasped in the United
States.
Fear of the GuerriIlas.
The sravest fear Is from the guerrillas or
local volunteer forces. who have been made
part of the regular Spanish troops The
guerrillas have committed most of the afro
cities of which the helpless pac.ficos were
the victims. They are capable of commit
ting similar excesses- In a period of an
archy they are a tremendously dangerous
force. However, there is one restricting
factor among them They know enough to
look to the future and to seek avoidance of
the hanging that should be melted out to
them To save their necks they may re-
frain from excuses. Some will probably
make overtures to the insurgents. II Is
therefore possible that the danger from the
guerrillas may not develop yet but their
existence : dread
From the troops the Cubans in the in
terror have little fear. Should hostilities
arise they would necessarily be sent to the
coast towns The insurgents would occupy
the villages which the Spanish now Occur
py All these considerations are based on
what may happen between the United
States and Spain. II the expected does not
happen simpler problem will be offered
1t will be how to feed the people of the
island during the period in which Spain is
letting go of Cuba.
CHAS. NJ. PEPPER.