New-York tribune., 1900-12-31
WHAT "CUBALIBRE" MEANS
AMERICAS DUTIES IN THE ISLAND MOTT
YET FINISHED.


any supervision control by the United states
in the future of Cuba is worthy of the attsn
tion of all thinking Americans. The Cuban Con-
stitutional Convention. II 10 follows mis- advice
will go even further and positively refuse to de-
fine any policy regarding their future relations
with us. The Cubans to-day are in favor OF an
absolutely independent government; IL granted
the devices and desires Of their own hearts the
United States will be entirely ignored
We stand to-day committed to the establish
ment of stable government and the protection
Of foreign lives and interests in the island OF
Cuba. and our acquiescence in the adoption OF
any policy constitution that In any way
jeopardizes the fulhlment Of our pledge would
be than suicidal
The political vagaries OF Cuba in the past are
in the light Of possible future developments.
worthy of more than passing mention and the
recent death OF Martinez Campos. ex-Captain-
General Of Cuba. recalls to mind the celebrated
Treaty Of the zonzon." in which this same
Maxino Gomez played most important part.
From 1860 to 1868 the island OF Cuba was sub
ject to a military despotism. There were no con-
stitutional laws. all power being vested in the
Captain General mighty enough to do as he
pleased. About this period the people began to
show desire to obtain the rights denied them
by the Metropoli, and such noted men in science
and politics Jose Saco. Gaspar Betancourt
Cisneros. Jose MoraIis Lernus. the Count OF
Posoo Dulces and others, really secessionists
petitioned the Madrid Government to grant re-
forms compatible with the advancement OF the
colony. This pressure caused Canovas del Cas-
tillo then Prime Minister Of Queen "Ysabel Sc
gunda,' to publish a royal decree directing that
a committee OF the most prominent Cubans be
appointed to appear before the Spanish Court
and state what reforms were desired. The COM
mittee was duly appointed and sent to Madrid.
and in spite Of the fact that their case possessed
all the elements of right and justice the bicker-
ings, Jealousies and personal selfshness Of the
members OF the delegation led to disaster. Moth
ing favorable to the colony resulted; the con-
trary the taxes were increased. and the Imperial
Government announced that the Committee Of
Representative Cubans had failed TO show the
necessity for any changes or reforms in the
administration of the island.
The despair Of the people can easily be mag
ined. and the reactionary Spaniards residents
Of Cuba worked harder than ever that the
Government might sustain its perpetual dicta-
torship, in order that the spoliation and immoral
monopoly carried on in all the spheres Of the
administration be indefinitely continued. Such
apparent injustice and iniqUity caused the upris-
ing in Tarud, at the same time that the 'Revo-
luton Of September as it is called, broke out
in Spain In this uprising Carlos Manuel de
Espedes. Francisco Aguilera. Miguel ALBANIA.
Marales Lemas Fernando Bramosio. Eduardo
Machado. Ygnacfo Agramonte. Salvador Cisne-
res, the Marquis OF Santa Lucie and other sepa-
ratists in the island fought against Spain. and
Antonio Maceo Maxine Gomez Carlos Polon.
Julio and Manuel Sanguily and Francisco Cor
villo figured very prominently in the ranks OF
the insurgents.
In 1878 the Madrid Government adopted a
more conciliatory policy and sent Martinez Cam
pos. with reinforcements and S25.Oo00oo.@ Cam
pos proved the right man for the place, for an
understanding arrived at with the in
surgents. and in place called the Zonzon.
farm near Puerto Principe a treaty of peace
was signed. The name of Maxine Gomez ap-
pears as representing the Cubans. Hostihties
ceased for the time being; money appeared more
plentiful in the camps OF the ex-sOldiers and
peace festas regned supreme, but-'what con-
cessions were made TO benefit the country were
never known"
Shortly after this two political parties ap-
peared in Cuba--one the Liberal Conservatives,
composed of Spaniards and the other the Au-
Economists. who were mainly Cubans From the
ranks of the AutonOmists rose men like Rafael
Montoro, Jose Antonio Cortina, Antonio Gown,
Carlos Saladriga. Rafael Fernandes de Costoro.
Jose Antonio del CuetO, Negro Movera Delgada
and many others, who under the presidency OF
the well known jurist Jose Movia Calves con-
stituted the central assembly Of the said party.
Later there appeared another group called the
Radical Separatists," under the leadership OF
Jose Marti.
From an imaginary and sterile policy Of some
years duration, in which all efforts were IN
vain, the revolution of 1895 followed, headed by
Marti and his followers, and in which Maeeo,
Gomez, Corvillo Calixto Garcia and Avangoven
figured prominently. The intervention or the
United States in 1895 freed the island from fur
ther Spanish rule.
During the recent so-calIed Reconstruction
period in Cuba the writer of this paper was in a
position to ascertain freely and unrestrictedly
the true sentiments of the inhabitants Of that
part of the island in which he was stationed.
The high sounding and numerous political par
ties existing in Cuba are no index OF pubic
sentiment. The undercurrent which is after all
the true expression of the masses is for CUBA
Libre." pure and simple. and this. frankly speak
ing, means anti-American. actae non Veroae,
muster rolls armies. Self-gOvernment Is not
question of rounded phrases. bOmbastic self
laudation even genuine patriotic sentiments
There must be sufficient strength, moral, mental
and physical. to support it before a nation can
be safely allowed TO take its place IN the mo-
mentous battles Of the world now going on, and
until Cuba is in this position our duties as an
honest strong and admittedly interested neigh
Dor are keenly apparent
The independence of Cuba was alone made
possible by our armed Intervention; let no false
modesty or mawkish sentiment interfere with
the fulflment of our pledged duty 10 the civil
lied world.
Cuba is our debtor; to what extent she has
pected but decency can surely, be eXacted A
firm and determined stand the part of this
Government may save interminable trouble, IN
ternational complications and possible bloodsned
in the future.
Captain THOMAS H. WILSON,
United States Army.
New-Haven, Conn. Dec. %. 1900.
II. CAMBON ARRIVES FROM FRANCE.