Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-26
SPAIN DEFENDED.
CONTINUED from page -

laws OlStlnCtlVely as Spain, put Lille
designation covers the entire empire
and old Spain is described as The
Peninsula
THE Cubans, even before the re-
forms of 1895. enjoyed several privi-
lcges which are not accorded to the
people of the Peninsula. They were
exempt from military service, while
the natives of the Peninsula served
three years in the active army and
nine years in the reserves; the Cuban
exchequer was not liable for the debts
of the national exchequer.
''All the revenue collected by taxation
in Cuba was applied to the expenses
of the local administration, and the
Cuban treasury did not contribute to
the expense of the Cortes, of the appel
late courts, nor to the salaries of dip
lomatic and consular representatives,
all of which discharge their functions
for the benefit of Cuba as well as of
the Peninsula
The inSurrection which broke out in
Cuba in 1868. as well as the present insur-
rection, operated to retard rather than
promote administrative reform and eco
the revolution of September 1865. in
Spain, to extend to Cuba and Puerto Rico
every reform adopted in the Peninsula
THE insurrection broke out at once
apparently in sympathy with the revou-
ton at home, and made it necessary to
postpone reforms and apply the military
forces of the home government to the
suppression of the insurrection
when the inSurrection was put down
in 1878, general amnesty was proclaimed
and full pardon for deSerters from the
Spanish army.
The liberal constitution adopted in the
Peninsula as the result of the revoliNi ion
of 1865 had already been extended to
Puerto Rico and was, now extended to
Cuba Freedom to express opinions,
orally or in writing. was included within
the privileges of Cubans freedom of
association the right to hold political and
other meetings. and the suffrage was eX-
tended to all who pay an annual tax of
So the tax from various sources being
added together to make up the necessary
qualification.
The civil law in force in the Peninsula
was proclaimed, the same penal laws. the
same commercial code. the law of mort
cages. the law regulating civil marriages
IN both houses of the Spanish Cortes
Provincial assemblies We're organized for
the inspection of municipal accounts
charities and public works.
Some of these reforms have only re
Gently been put in full force and it may
be admitted that the provincial assem-
blies and representation in the Cortes
have not yielded their full possible re-
suits. But If this is so. it is because of
the comparative youthfuness of the peo-
pie in self government.
The Autonomist party has selected its
members of the Cortes in Puerto Prin-
cipe and other provinces where the high
est standard of education prevails and
the most intelligent interest is taken in
politics.
The home government cannot be
blamed if the people of other provinces
are less capable of government and
of the presentation of intelligent reforms
n 10 and n ia cal nf Spoir,
Economic progress is some measure
of political freedom because people do
not labor with intelligence and zeal.
make investments and accumulate capt.
tai where property or life is insecure.
Tried by this test, cuba shows a progress
far greater than that of most of the free
republics which threw off subordination
to Spain two generations ago.
Her railway mileage represents A.
miles to every square mile of area. Il
miles to every 10@@ inhabitants. and 2oo
miles in the aggregate. This Is larger
proportion of railways per square mile
than amy country south of the United
States.
..The foreign trade of the island was
Sic. ass ,53 in 1892. compared with about
$50 900 600 in 1850. This is Il larger per
capita than any South American country.
and about three times the usual foreign
trade of the United States.
The sugar crop expanded from $50. sos
tons in 1873 to 1.0lS02S tons in 1894. and the
population advanced from l,o2ie0o in 1887
to l,b1l,bSi IN 1871. the investment OF
American capital in cuba. under the pro-
lection of Spanish law, is estimated by
Secretary Olney at s5oooo.ooo.
Il am informed that ii is the intention
of the home government to extend re-
forms just as rapidly as the capacity Of
the people for sefgovernment will jus
tify. 1t is felt in Spain that it would not
be wise to give to Cuba quite such com
prehensve privileges of local self-govern-
ment as are enjoyed in such provinces as
| Canada and Australia.
IF their assurances are sincere. how
| ever. the Spaniards intend to give the
| Cubans control of their local affairs as
| soon as the present instruction is put
| down, and to give them more and more
| control over the commercial affairs OF
| the island as they demonstrate their ca
| pacity for self government.
| 1T is a pretty safe venture that Spain
will not humble herself by granting re-
| forms under threats. The Spanish spirit
| is too proud for that and they make the
| suppression of the inSurreCtion the pri-
| mary condition of inaugurating reform.
| One of the real grievances of Cuba has
been the discriminating tariff in favor OF
| Spanish products.
This / have reason to believe. will be
| modified in favor of the United States in
| some such way as was done by the reel
| procity treaty of 1891 That treaty was a
| great diplomatic success for the United
| States, ard its termination probably had
| a good deal to do with the prevailing dis
| content.
CASTILLO STILL PROMISES.