The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-13
CUBAN HOME RULE
PRESIDENT LEvE1AANDss SUCCESS
TION EXPECTED TO BRING
ABOUT AN EARLY RESULT.
PLAN ALREADY PREPARED.
COMPLETE LOCAL CONTROL. OVER
TARIFF LAWS ITS MOST I'M
PORTANT FEATURE.
CANADA UTILIZED AS A MODEL.
Scope of Freedom Embodied in the
Reform Similar to That Enjoyed
by the Dominion.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21.-President
Cleveland's suggestion, in his recent
message, that Spain grant a large
measure of home rule to Cuba as a
means Of terminating the present con-
fict there, is expected to bring about
early and favorable action by Spain in
that direction, provided 1t is apparent
that her power in Cubaf Is supreme,
and already the terms of Spain's plans
of home rule for the island have been
practically determined. They are more
comprehensive than the proposition of
home rule suggested in the speech of
the queen regent to the last Spanish
cortes, and embodied in draft of re-
forms submitted to Secretary Olney
some months ago.
They will preserve the essential fea-
lures of that plan. but win more fully
carry out the spirit of home rule and
self government. The most essential
addition to the former plan will be that
giving to Cuba enlarged, If not COM
plete control, over the framing of her
tariff laws, which, owing to the extent
of trade with the United States, is of
first importance to the people of the
island. In a general way, the scope of
the home rule plan is claimed to--.be
somewhat similar to that which Can
ada has, as a colony Of Great Britain,
the Canadian parliament making it's
own tariff, irrespective of the revenue
policy of Great Britain. The new
measure of home rule, according to it's
advocates, is in pursuance of policy
entertained by the Spanish government
for many months, which would have
been put into execution before the
present time had not the insurrection
created obstacles.
1t now develops that one of the main
purposes Of the return of Gen. Campos
to Spain was to formulate measures
Of home rule based upon his acquain-
tance with the island 1t was found,
however, that the inability to secure
an accurate census of the inhabitants
of the island entitled to vote under the
proposed reforms interfered with the
full development of the plan. 1t has
proceeded with such speed as was pos
sible during the disturbed condition of
Cuba, and in view of the position taken
in Mr.. Cleveland's message on the
question of home rule for Cuba, it will
be brought to mature and final state
at an early day. It's main details are
known by officials in Washington. Of
these, the wide power given to Cuba to
make her own tariff laws is regarded as
the most essential
AS the proposed plan of reform will
be an enlargement and extension Of the
home rule proposition Of some months
ago, the latter becomes important as
indicating the general lines of the plan.
This was drawn in due form of law
NJ GNr
under article 2, of the document pro-
viding for a council of administration
or Cuban legislaturesssThe council was
| to consist Of Cubans, fifteen of them to
be appointed by the crown and fifteen
elected by the people for terms of four
years each. The council was given
| power over "the nfanagement of the
whole island, of public works, post and
telegraphs, railways and navigation,
agriculture, manufactures, trade, imni-
| grafton and colonization, public in
| struction, charities and health depart
| ment," these powers to be exercised
under the supervision Of the Spanish
government.
On the question. OF training the tariff,
the article specifiedssthat the Cuban
council should have advisory power,
submitting an annual budget during
the month of March to the minister
of the colonies at Madrid. While the
details or the extension cannot be Civ
en-, yet in substance; the change is said
to give Cuba complete, instead of ad-
visory power, on this subject
! AS a whole, the proposed plan is ex-
pected to be up to the suggestions of
home rule made in the presidents re-
cent message. From the fact that Spain
has contemplated t-for some time, the
plan will not be. open to the sugges-
ton that it has come unwillingly as a
result of the attitude Of the United
/ States.