Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-29
so,.v,xc THE CUBAN PROBLEM.

The New York Herald > h"'"
respondent telegraphs to that paper an
abstract of what he declares Is a" "o-
solutely authentic draft OF the so'''"
mental reforms Spain Is ABOUT ~
code 70 Cuba. and says he has author''y
% o,,s assurance that under certain
conditions the Cubans VIII "ooep.
reforms. The concessions are eA0eeoe' I
liberal. contemplating. as they W.
great a degree of autonomy 10 ~"
pr,,o,n accords her Colonies, ana oeins
much more IN line with pracucai "o'"'
rule than is the governmental maoni"e'
of the Colonial possessions OIL ""'
pean Continental Power.
The reform bill provides for 'uoa"
legislative assembly, composed OF 90"
ate and a lower House, the i"e"
bers to be elected by an eniareeu '"'
frage. This legislative body Is 10 nave
the sole power not only to vote d"
ospecial budget for the island, Out u
draw ND and control the budget OF I'M
nerial expenses-that Is, the expenses Vi
the Spanish army and navy, in so lar as
they are to be legitimately shared %
Cuba. The assembly is also to be Ves'eu
with the full and exclusive power vi
initiating all money and tariff DIS
Those concessions are especially I'M
nortant as spain's financial policy touch-
ing Cuba has been an eating cancer :"
the Cuban body polite, and one OIL INC
chief causes of discomfort on the is'ahu'
The financial measures will have 10 pe
approved by the Cortes, at Madrld' pu'
the home government cannot even con-
sider such measures until they shall nave
heen passed upon and sanctioned by the
| Cnban Assembly, restriction That VIII
| enable the people Of the island 10 cheoA
untold abuses that have been sapping the
very life blood out of them, ana nave
rendered per manent prosperity impossi-
| BILE.
The ACKNOWLEDGEMENT feature Is 10 De
retained. but the powers of that oihcia'
are IN be greatly curtailed. and his ac's
aro IN he subjected to careful super
vision. He is to have authority 10 APP
ooirt all officials in the Cuban Govern
mont with the exception of the directors
general or collectors Of the ports ana
the secretaries general of the GOV
ernor and civil governors OF the
nrovinces. who are TO be selected by popu-
lar vote but his appointees must De con-
6rmed by the assembly after the manner
of the confirmation by the United states
Senate of certain presidential appointees'
As TO the conditions under which the
Cubans will accept the reform measures
thew are. we are told. that the United
states become directly. or indirectly
Marty to the agreement. and that SPAN
give the United States so explicit pieuse
that they will be carried out as 10
make any failure to do so a breach
of good faith with this country. In iact'
as a condition precedent to acceptance
the Cubans will require that the pledge
70 this country shall be of such bind
inc character that its violation would
iustify from us serious remonstrance ana
| eventually, if necessary, actual inter-
ference.
That the Cubans should require from
Snain on this or any other proposition
she might make to them, a guarantee
powerful enough to force the mother
country TO keep faith is not surprising
considering their experience with Spanish
treachery after the long rebellion. Mr.
Olnev II Is said. had read to him in De-
cember last the reform bill. and gave II
his unqualified approval. and 1t is ihu
mated that potent influences have beer
and are at work to secure from SPAR
the pledge in question. If this infoI
! nation is correct. it may account Tor MI
OInev's bold stroke of diplomacy In SIDE
tracking the Cameron resolution ah1
preventing debate thereon. At any rate
II the United States, in justice to them
selves. can become SPANS suarantors oil
the Cuban-reform bill, and thus brin!
neace. autonomy and prosperity TO TN
now harried and blood-drenched island
6 most happy solution Of the troubl
will have been reached. We hardly thinl
spa;n would violate a definite agreemen
o entered into with the United State
regarding this matter, and for two yer.
good reasons In the first place she !
i, heartily tired of the struggle, which ha
proved no less exhausting to her thal
. II has to Cuba, and she would welcom
- "peace with honor" In the second place
, she has learned a great deal about thi
: country since the Cuban rebellion ma
heen ON. and would be exceedingly char
s of provoking us 10 war.