New-York tribune., 1896-12-30
PRICE THREE CENTS.
HOME RULE FOR CUBA.
THE SPANISH MINISTRY ENGAGED IN
DRAFTING REFORMS.
REPEATED ASSURANCES GIVEN TO PRESIDENT
CLEVELAND THAT THE MEASURES WILL BD
PUT INTO EFFECT WHEN PINAR DEL
RIO IL PacIFIED-AN EXPLANA-
TioN FROM THE STATE
DEPARTMENT

Washington. Dec. 29.--While the Spanish Cow
ernment may not accept the mediation or the
United States in giving autonomy to Cuba, II has
been known here for several weeks that the
Ministry purposes giving to the Cubans larger
measure OF home rule than they have heretofore
enjoyed President Cleveland has been repeat.
edly assured that these reforms will he put into
effect when the Province Of Pnar del Rio has
been paci1ed. Maceo and his followers have
been in this province for the last year. and since
Maceos death the work OF pacifcaton has been
considerably expedited. The time is now be-
ieved to be ripe for the home rule to he institute
ed there and also in the provinces Of Matanxas
aid Havana where the insurgents have never
secured a foothold.
1t has frequently been asserted by Spain that
the intended reforms would have been put In
operation long ago but for the insurrection. and
that some of the leaders among the insurgents
started the rebellion in order to prevent the re-
forms. These reforms embrace the election os
the entire Cuban delegation In the Cortes. In
stead Of delegation OF fifteen elected members
and fifteen appointed by the Queen Regent and
also the-complete control by Cuba Of her tariff.
The Spanish Ministry is now understood to he
engaged In drafting the proposed reforms bus
thus far the only evidence respecting them II of
a general nature. It is believed that they will
be completed within the next fortnight. and II Is
not unlikely that a copy will be cabed to Secre-
tary Oney. by permission Of the Spanish Gov
ernment before public announcement Is made.
At the State Department II s declared that
there has been no substantial alteration In the
international aspect Of the Cuban question since
President Cleveland wrote the following in his
annual Message of December Z: 1t was init
mated by this Government to the Government
Of Spain some months ago that. IL a satisfactory
measure Of home rule rendered to tho
Cuban insurgents. AID would be accepted by
them upon a guarantee Of It's execution. the
United States would endeavor to find a way not
Objectionable to Spain of furnishing such guar
antee. While definite response to this inu-
nation has yet been received from the Spanish
Government, il is believed to be not altogether
unwelcome. while already suggested. no rea-
son is perceived why it should not be approved
by the insurgents"
II Is explained that, for domestic reasons. the
present Spanish Cabinet could not take what
would be to II q suicidal step. Of putting down
in black and white complete acceptance or the
suggested mediation between a sovereign Power
and her crown colony. There has been at least
q tacit understanding between secretary Oiney
and the Spanish Premier, disclosed by Presi-
dent Cleveland's double negation and the only
matter left unsettled was the acceptance OF the
suggestion by the insurgents.
IL is said that President Cleveland. in speak,
ing OF the insurgents does not refer to the
Junta in this country which would be satisfied
with no compronise. but to the actual conf
batants under Gomez and other leaders, a. that
time including Maceo. who according to ths
information OF the State Department, were at
that time not averse 70 putting an END 10
hostties. II the reforms promised by Spain
were put into operation with the tacit Suaran-
tee of the United States. and amnesty were
granted to them and their followers. The gree.
difficulty has been and still! is IN the power OF
the United States Ito find a way not ooJec-
tionable to Spain" in accomplishing this part
Of the ARRANGEMENT. IL is believed that ths
death Of Maceo may have simplihed the PROB
lem.
II has been found an exceedingly delicate un-
1er,aking To make any progress i'm the matter
without that publicity which would onend ths
Spanish people and cause an uprising IN Spains
and for this reason the authorities here preserve
extraordinary reticence about the at'air. IL IS
pointed out that the matter rests exclusively
with the President and. under no circum-
stance pending its conclusion. could Congress
fairly expect to learn anything about IT,