In reference to filibustering, it may be of interest to you to know that the work of playing policeman for Spain has already cost us nearly two million dollars. We are obliged to keep a fleet of revenue cutters on the watch for these expeditions, and it would seem that we have tried to do our duty very thoroughly. That we have not succeeded in capturing many of the contraband vessels should be no great reproach to us. Spain has sixty vessels patrolling the coast of Cuba, and has only been able to seize one filibuster, the Competitor.
Tho news that Spain means to give Home Rule to Cuba is most welcome, and it is to be hoped that the reforms offered may be satisfactory to the Cubans, and that the war may soon be brought to a close.
The full terms of the promised changes have reached us—they give the Cubans control of educational matters, tariff, customs, charity, and public works.
A governor or viceroy is to be chosen by the mother country, and he is to have the right to choose the officers who are to form his cabinet.
There is to be a Cuban parliament, divided into upper and lower houses, which is to settle all the affairs of the island except those which concern foreign policy, naval and military matters, and the manner in which the law is to be administered. The acts of this parliament are, however, to be subject to the approval of the Governor.
The Cuban parliament is to elect the men who are to go to Spain to represent Cuba in the Cortes.
General Blanco is already on his way to Cuba. Before he left Spain he stated that he felt convinced that the United States would soon find that there was no further necessity to interfere on behalf of Cuba. He said that Spain had only the best and kindest intentions toward the Pearl of the Antilles (as Cuba is often called). He declared that peace would soon be restored.
While the reforms offered are not all that can be desired, still Spain seems sincerely to desire to restore peace to Cuba, and it therefore becomes the duty of all peace-loving people to withhold criticism, and wait to see what Spain will do before venturing an opinion.
The Cubans are not elated over the prospect. It is stated that they will refuse the Home Rule offered them, and persist in their attempts to win their freedom.
Señor Estrada Palma, the Cuban delegate in this country, declared that he was in a position to state that the Cubans will accept no compromise from Spain. They are willing to give up their lives for their country's freedom, but they will never accept Home Rule as a solution of their struggle for independence.