Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-28
AUTONOMY FOR CUBA
EXACTLY WHAT rs NOW PROPOSED
ny SPAIN.
SYSTEM LIKE THAT OF CANADA.
individuality In All Internal Anairs
and Yet Retention OF Place as Part
of Federal Systematic own Legis-
lature.

WASHINGTON. october 27.--The Span
consented for the first time to-day TO
speak concerning the policy OF autonomy
which tho Spanish Government proposes
10 apply TO Cuba. This has been re-
ferred 10 in general terms since the ad-
vent of the Sagasta ministry, but there
has been lack OF authentic details. Be-
fore leaving for New York to-day. where
the Minister and his family will spend
several weeks. Senor Dupay de LONE
gave the evolutions through which
autonomy has passed. leading up TO the
present policy. and a general outline OF
the policy itself
Under the provisions of the treaty. con-
Guided in 1878. at the close of the last
Cuban disturbance. it was provif,d that
Cuba was TO enjoy the same liberties as
those accorded to the Island of Puerto
Rico. This latter island had the same
liberties as those OF any province OF
Spain. This brought the Autonomist
party, so-calied, into existence its essen
tsai principle being that Of self-govern-
ment for Cuba, and not treating Cuba
as a province Of Spain. as was the system
In Puerto Rico. That party adopted a
platform, and in 1886 offered a complete
programme Of autonomy for the conside-
ration of the country. A peaceful agita-
;ion OF this autonomy programme was
then inaugurated
In 1893, for the first time. a Minister
in a Liberal Cabinet Senior Maura. saw
the mistake Of that system Of rule known
as assimilation" which treated Cuba
as a Spanish province. and he presented
plan OF reform. This was strongly
opposed, and after two years of discus
sion 1t was found impossible TO put the
plan through the Cortes Then a com
promise reform measure was framed.
which looked To the personality of Cuba
"a a separate body. but under the Span
ish flag.
CANOvAS's IDEA.
These reforms having been considered
insufficient, on account of the state OF
the island, Premier Canovas proceeded
10 greatly enlarge them. his plan being,
however. short of absolute autonomy.
Now Mr. Moret Minister for the Colo
MES in the new Cabinet. fulhls the pro-
mise of the Liberal party when 1t was
IN the minority, and proclaims that auto
many as 1t had always been demanded
By the home rule party of Cuba.
BY this policy, as applied to Cuba, the
Island will have a system on the lines OF
those of Canada or Of the American
States. maintaining its individuality in
ell internal affairs. and yet retaining it's
place as a part Of the Federal system.
II will have vceroy or GoveTnor-Gene-
raj as is always the case in the main
tenance Of n Colonial system. such as
that of Australia. New Zealand, or
Canada. The island will have its own
Legislature. chosen directly by the peo-
pie. who will enjoy universal suffrage.
From the majority I'm the Legislature
the Governor-General will choose his
ministry. consisting of president OF
the ministry and four ministers-a minis
ter OF the interior, a minister of public
works, a minister OF public instruction
and a minister of finance.
The ministers VIII represent the Span
ish Cortes, as well as the local Legisla-
ture. The ministry will be responsible
TO the Legislature, and not to the Gov
ernor-General. The subjects before the
LEGISLATURE will include those of taxa
tion. tariff. public instruction, and all
matters regarding the internal admins
tration of the island, in the broadest
sense. of the term.