The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-21
SUSPICIOUS OF THE SPANISH.
CUBANS WON'T DISARM ON MERE
PROMISES OF REFORMS,

The Cuban Leaders Recall the Fact
That the Promises Made in 1878
Under Similar Conditions Were
Never Carried Out-An Informal
Memorandum of Fifty or sixty Re-
forms Discussed by OIney and De
Lone.
Washington, April 20.-In the oral dis
cussion of Cuban affairs, which have tax
en- place between the Spanish minister
and Secretary Olney during the last few
weeks an Informal memorandum of some
fifty or sixty reform measures, which un-
der certain contingencies. the Spanish
government is willing to accord to Cuba,
is understood to have played an important
part These concessions are entirely dis
tinct from the decree of March 15 1895,
which was promulgated by the Spanish
queen regent seventeen days af-
ter the outbreak of the in
surrection, and which was coun-
tersigned by Buenaventura de Abarzuza,
minister of the colonies, himself a native
of Havana. That decree provided a sys-
TEN of government for the island of Cuba
and for the readjustment of its civil ad-
ministration, but left. as now, absolute
revisionary power in the hands of the gov
ernor general At the very outset of the
plan it was provided that: Whenever
the governor general shall judge any de-
cision of the council to be contrary to the
laws or the general interests of the ma
ton he shall suspend its execution and
shall himself take such provisionary
measures as the public needs, which would
otherwise have been neglected because Of
such suspension, may require, immedi-
gfThmiffinR d
ter Of the colonies
The new proposals Of reform, which have
been informally brought under discussion
between the Spanish minister and Sec
retary Olney, are broader and more liberal
than the decree, and approach more nearly
to political autonomy, but are accompa-
MED by conditions which apparently rem
der their adoption or even their consider
alton by the insurgents a matter of inn
possibility. As in the case of the ten-year
war, Spain insists as a preliminary to ne
gotlation, 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 1873 in order to secure the
reforms pledged to them by Martinez Cam
pos, the pledges then made were chiefly
left untitled, and they emphatically de-
cline to be again deceived in a like man.
ner. 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 ten
ueTcQ 10 GueftO Rico, Wnefe no TeDelllOn
exists. Nothing in the suggested plan as
it now stands, holds out any prospect of
a speedy termination of this desoiating
war.
Private advices received here from Ha-
vana indicate that the hopes which were
at first expressed that the appointment
of Gen. Fitz Hugh Lee as consul general
to Havana might open up some way Of
adjustment, have died away, 1t is doubt
ed whether Gen. Lee will be able to
take up his new duties for months to
come This is the beginning of the most
deadly sickly season in Cuba. The cares
and worries and responsibilities of the
office of consul general at Havana to
an unacclimated man of Gen. Lees portly
physique, 1t is said, would be likely to
bring on an attack of yellow # er. re-
covery from which might be doubtful.
He could not take refuge in the noun
tains because the hundreds of alleged
naturalized American citizens, who are
clamoring for protection and reparation
from Spain, would render such escape i'm
possible. Friends of Gen Lee, who have
been long residents nlCuba, are said to
have written to him strongly dissuading
him from attempting to take up his duties
until the rainy season is over