New-York tribune., 1896-04-21
NEW REFORMS FOR. CUBA.
sPAIN.s PROPOSALS APPROACH NEARLY
To- PRACTICAL AUTONOMY.
THEY ARE ACCOMPANIED. HOWEVER. BY CoNDI-
TIoNs WHICH RENDER 1T IMPOSSIBLE FOR
THE INSURGENTS TO ACCEPT THEM
GENERAL LEES MISSION


LIKELY TO FAIL
Washington. April 20-In the discussions Of
Cuban affairs which have taken place between
the Spanish Minister and Secretary Olney dur
ing the last few weeks an informal memorn-
dunn. of some fifty or sixty reform measures
which under certain contingencies the Spanish
Government is willing to accord to Cuba Is un-
.derstood to have played an important part.
These concessions are entirely distinct from the
decree Of March Is. 1896. which was promulgated
by the Spanish Queen Regent seventeen DAYS
after the outbreak Of the insurrcction. and which
was countersigned by Buenaventura De Abar-
suza Minister of the Colonies himself native
of Havana That decree provided a system OF
government for the island of Cuba and for the
readtustment of its civil administration but left.
as now, absolute revisonary power in the hands
Of the Governor General At the very outset OF
the plan it was provided that whenever the
Governor-General shall Judge any decision CT
the Council to. be contrary to the laws or to the
general interests of the Nation. ne shall sus-
pend it's execution and shall himself take such
provisional measures as the public needs-whIch
would otherwise have been neglected because Of
such suspenson-rnay require, Immediately sub
m.tting the matter to the Minister Of the Colo
nies."
informally brought under discussion between the
Spanish Minister and Secretary Olney, are
broader and more liberal than this decree. and
ar proach mora nearly to practical autonomy, but
are accompanie by conditions which apparently
render their adoption or even their consdera-
ton by the Insurgents matter Of imposslbty.
as In the case Of the ten years war. Spain
ir ssts preliminary to negotiation that the
insurgents shall first lay down their arms. as
1t is against the dignity Of the Spanish Crown
to treat with armed rebels.
The Cuban leaders assert that when they
compiled with similar conditions in 1875 in order
to secure the reforms pledged TO them by Mar
tnez Campos. the pledges then made were
chiefly left unfulflled and they emphatically
decline to be again deceived in Ike manner.
Consequently the proposed measure of reform is
likely to fall to the ground far Cuba Is
concerned although some similar provisions
may probably be rendered to Porto Rico. where
no rebellion exists. Nothing in the suggested
plan, as It now stands, holds out any prospect
of speedy termination of the war.
Private advices received here from Havana
indicate that the hopes which were at first eSs
pressed that the appointment OF General Fltz-
hugh Lee as Consul-General to Havana might
epen some way of adjustment have died away.
1t is doubted whether General Lee will be able
to begin his new duties for months TO come.
This is the beginning Of the most deadly season
| in Cuba. The cares and worries OF the Office
of ConsAl1General at Havana to an unaccli-
mated man of General Lees porty physique, II
is said, would be likely to bring on an attack
Of yellow fever the chances of recovery from
which might be doubtful. He could not take
refuge IN the mountains beccuse the hundreds
Of alleged naturalized American citizens who
are clamoring for protection and reparation
| from Spain would render such an escape impos-
sible Friends of General Lee who have been
long residents in Cuba. are said to have written
20 him, strongly dssuadng him from attempt
ing to begin his duties until the rainy season is
over. 80