The morning times., 1896-04-21
CUBIHs DECLINE TO BITE
Regard Reforms Held Out in the
Light of Experience.
END OF THEWARNOTINSIGHT
Spanish Government Insists That the
Insurgents Must Lay Down Their
Arms as the First Step Toward an
Adjustment-Gen Fitz. Lees Plans
Are Yet Undecided.

In the oral discussions of Cuban affairs
which have taken place Between the Span
ish minister aud Secretary Olney during
the last few weeks, an Informal memor-
andum OF sore fifty or sixty reform meas
ures which under certain contingencies,
the Spanish Government is willing to accord
to Cuba, is understood to have played
an important part.
These concessions are entirely distinct
from the decree Of the 9th OF March, 1895.
which was promulgated by the Spanish
queen regent seventeen days after the
outbreak of the insurreetion. and which
was countersigned by Buenaventura de
AbarZuZa. minister OF the colonies, himself
u native OF Hava ma.
That decree proyideda a system OF govern
ment for the Islanl OF Cuba andfo the re-
adjustment OF its civil administration, but
left, as now, absolute reVisionary power
i'll the ha nds OF the governor general.
DEFEAT THEMSELVES.
Tie new proposals of reform, which
have been informally brought under discus
sion between the Spanish minister and
Secretary oiney, are broader and more
liberal than the DEGREES, and approach more
nearly TO political autonomy, but are
accompanied byconditions which apparently
render their adoption or even their oonsiG-
GRAFTON by the insurgents a matter of
impossibility.
As in the case in the ten years war,
Spain insists as a preliminary TO negotia'
tiuns that the insurgents shall first lay
down their arms as il is against the dignity
of the Spanish crown To treat with armed
rebels.
The Cuban leaders assert that when they
complied with similar conditions in 1878
in order to secure the reforms pledged to
them by Martinez Campos, the pledges
then made We're chiefly left untitled, and
they emphatically decline to be again
deceived in a like manner.
Consequently the proffered measure Of
reform is likely to fall to the ground as far
as Cuba is concerned, though some similar
provisions may probably be rendered TO
Puerto Rico where no rebellion exists.
Nothing in the suggested plan as IL now
stands holds out any prospect of speedy
termination OF the desolating war.
GEN. LEES INTENTIONS.
Private bdvices re eceived here from Havana
indicate that the hopes which Were at
first expressed that the appointment of
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee as consul general TO
Havana might open up some way Of ad-
justment, have died away 1t is doubted
whether Gen. Lee will be able TO take up
his new duties fol months TO come.
This is the beginning of tie most sickiy
season in Cuba. The cares and worries
and the responsibilities of the office OF
consul general al Havana to an unacclimated
man of Gen. Lees portly physique, 1t Is
said, would be likely 10 bring on IN at
tack of yellow fever, recovery from which
might be doubtful.
He could not take re fuge in the mountains
because The hundreds of alleged natural
lied American citizens who are clamoring
for protection and Teparation from Spain
would render such an escape impossible.
Friends Of Gen. Lee who have been long
residents in Cuba are said TO have written
10 him strongly -dissuading him from at
tempting TO take up his duties until the
rainy season is over.