"Blanco's autonomistic government was doomed to failure from its inception. The Spanish soldiers and officers scorned it because they did not desire Cuban rule, which such autonomy, if genuine, would insure. The Spanish merchants and citizens were opposed to it because they too were hostile to the Cubans having control of the island, and, if the question could be narrowed down to Cuban control or annexation to the United States, they were all annexationists, believing that they could get a better government, and one that would protect in a greater measure life and property under the United States flag than under the Cuban banner. On the other hand, the Cubans in arms would not touch it, because they were fighting for free Cuba. And the Cuban citizens and sympathizers were opposed to it also."
Senor Palma sums up the question of autonomy as follows:
"Autonomy would mean that the Cuban people will make their own laws, appoint all their public officers, except the governor-general, and attend to the local affairs with entire independence, without, of course, interference by the metropolis. What then would be left to Spain, since between her and Cuba there is no commercial intercourse of any kind? Spain is not and cannot be, a market for Cuban products, and is moreover unable to provide Cuba with the articles in need by the latter. The natural market for the Cuban products is the United States, from which in exchange Cuba buys with great advantage flour, provisions, machinery, etc. What then, I repeat, is left to Spain but the big debt incurred by her, without the consent and against the will of the people of Cuba? We perfectly understand the autonomy of Canada as a colony of Great Britain. The two countries are closely connected with each other by the most powerful ties—the mutual interest of a reciprocal commerce."
Murat Halstead, who is invariably logical and correct, puts the whole matter in a few trenchant words:
"There is nothing to regard as possible in any of the reforms the Spaniards are promising with much animation and to which they ascribe the greatest excellence, to take place after the insurgents have surrendered their arms. Spain is, as always, incapable of changing her fatal colonial policy, that never has been or can be reformed."
Spain's fatal colonial policy. Could there be truer words?
Let us pause for a moment to contemplate what this fatal colonial policy has cost her.
At one time she swayed the destinies of Europe and had possessions in every continent. Samuel Johnson, in writing of her, said:
| "Are there no regions yet unclaimed by Spain? |
| Quick, let us rise, those unhappy lands explore, |
| And bear oppression's insolence no more." |
The whole reason of Spain's downfall is the ruthless and savage character of the Spanish people.