New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-08
DE LONE ON THE REFORMS.
THE SPANISH MINISTER EXPLAINS
THEIR SCOPE AND INTENTION.

TOWARD THE cUBASs-rHE QUESTION OF
suFFRAGE-THE REVENUE PROVISIONS.
Washington, Feb. THE Spanish Legation
has received. with the full abstract OF the new
reforms for Cuba and Porto Rico, the preamble
Of Sehor Canovas announcing the terms OF
the decree. This preamble expresses the
kindliest feelings toward the Cuban people and
declares that their mother Spain. is disposed. as
she always has been. TO open her arms to them
and to extend amnesty for past offences. and
declares that the application Of the REFORMS only
depends upon the insurgents
Minister Dupuy de LONE discussed the scope
of the reforms to-day with representative
OF the United Associated Presses. He said In
substance:
1.-THE electoral reforms were not referred to
at length in the decree Of the Ministry. for the
reasons stated in the preamble OF Senior Cano-
vas that they will require the action OF the
Cortes. am Informed, however. that the Gov
eminent contemplate extending greatly the
basis Of the suffrage, but they desire to do 1t
In such way to prevent undue influence
being acquired by the iiterate portion OF the
population.
1T Is proposed to abolish the requirement that
a man shall be a taxpayer there in order TO be
a voter. The present law requires the payment
OF taxes amounting in the aggregate to 3d. ex-
cept where the privilege of voting Is extended
10 the graduates Of the universities and other
members OF the learned professions. Any edu-
cational qualification which may be suggested
by the Cubang and which seems reasonable and
proper will undoubtedly be adopted by the
Cortes. The subject must be regulated by that
body. but 1t is the serious intention OF the
Spanish Government to adopt policy Of cleo
hvnn don
existing basis OF suffrage. and increase the
number Of Cubans who take part in the gov
eminent OF the island. In other words. under
the new law any one may vote without regard
to the 50 tax provided he Is not illiterate.
1T is the purpose Of the Government 20 show
the greatest generosity toward the insurgents
who lay down their arms. The reforms cannot
well be put In full effect until the sovereignty
OF Spain Is acknowledged In all parts OF the
island. The Government will not relax Its mill
tary activity In any degree II the insurgents
show n disposition TO continue the contest and
fail to appreciate the great concessions made
by the home Government.
Spain has gone to the utmost limit In her
generosity to the Cuban people. and has estab-
lished a system by which the island will here
after be governed in Cuba by residents OF the
island. instead OF being governed from Madrid
The right TO hOld ONCE Is given 10 Spanldfd5
who have lived two years IN Cuba. because they
have become in "a large degree Identified with
the interests OF the island.
In this respect. the proposed policy is not
unlike that which has been pursued by the
United States where members OF both political
parties have delighted to honor citizens born
outside the country. Conspicuous examples are
found in the cases OF Mr.. Wilson. OF Iowa. who
is 20 be a member OF the Cabinet Of your next
President, who was. | believe. born In Scot
land and Of Carl Schurz who was born in
l.fv of In.
under the Administration OF President HAYES.
THE tarifr features OF the new decree are
very comprehensive in their scope, and mean
a great deal for the United States as well az
for Cuba. The first column OF the new tariff
schedules providing for revenue Will contain
the greatest number Of Items, leaving the list
on which determinations are made i'm favor OF
Spain, not exceeding - per cent Of the value
OF the imports. a comparatively short one. The
duties levied will he equal against all countries
except Spain. and American manufacturers aud
exporters, in view Of their familiarity with Gu
ban trade and their nearness TO the island. are
likely to appreciate the importance Of these con-
cessions.
THE situation will be much more favorable
to American trade than under the reciprocity
treaty Of 1880 There were In that treaty two
schedules FOR American goods, one or -, vcr
cent and another OF 30 per cent. but Spain had
the right to provide for the entrance OF her
products free OF duty. thus giving her marked
advantage over the United states. The Span.
ish West Indies the best consumers Of
United states products that you have on this
continent. 1t viii be necessary for the home
Government 10 consult the Cubans before "A
reciprocity treaty is concluded The new re-
forms distinctly provide that such treaties MAJ
be suggested by the new Council Of Admins
tratiCn.
THE Council Of Administration VIII not only
contain twenty-one members elected by the
qualified voters Of Cuba but Will contain Gu
bans among the other members. II they possess
the qualifications 10 attain the position which
entities them to seats. The members Of the
Council Of Administration. who will sit 10y yir-
tue of their places as president OF the Cham
Der OF Commerce. the Planters Association. and
other bodies. may just well 10 Cubans as
persons born In Spain. II they show the quail
ties which naturally advance them 70 those
places The places are entirely open 10 native
Cubans we'll as Spaniards"