The Liberals, or "Autonomists," desired such reforms in the administration as would assure the exercise of self-government and yet preserve the bond with the mother country.

On the other hand, the Radicals, or "Nationalists"-- the party of "Cuba Free"-- would be satisfied with nothing short of absolute independence.

All these differences of opinion were sharpened by the activities of a sensational press.
From about 1890 onward the movement toward independence gathered tremendous strength, especially when the Cubans found popular sentiment in the United States so favorable to it.

Excitement rose still higher when the Spanish Government proposed to bestow a larger measure of autonomy.

When, however, the Cortes decided upon less liberal arrangements, the Autonomists declared that they had been deceived, and the Nationalists denounced the utter unreliability of Spanish promises.
Even if the concessions had been generous, the result probably would have been the same, for by this time the plot to set Cuba free had become so widespread, both in the island itself and among the refugees in the United States, that the inevitable struggle could not have been deferred.
In 1895 the revolution broke out.