The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-01-01

DR.. Palma's representative smiled in
credulously and said: You can say that
the Cuban Juntta believes that Maceo is
dead, and THAT he died in the manner
described in the circular recently issued
by the Junta. We have fully satisfied
ourselves of his death. We place no Gre
dence in these repeated reports THAT Ma
Geo is alive"
AN APRIL FOOL RUMOR.
Havana, Dec. 31.-The correspondent
| of the Associated Press here made inqui-
! ries this afternoon regarding the state
ments attributed to Sonora Mirabel,
widow of the insurgent Colonel Limo
Nirabel, THAT she was informed before
| beaving Cuba for the United States that
Maceo was alive. The Spanish officials
! quietly remarked that Dec %, Monday
last Was Havana ''Innocents' union,
Otherwise April Fool Day." and they
assert that ''some buffoon must have cir
! cuiated the report that MaceO was alive.
| Nobody in official circles here seems
! to have any doubt THAT the great in
surgent leader is dead
| GOMEZNS "PEACE" OVERTURES.
| Madrid, Dec. 31.-The newspapers here
| publish what is said to be the text of a
! letter which AaximO Gomez, the insur-
| gent leader wrote to Gen. Martinez de
| Campos, four days before the latter was
replaced as Captain General Of Cuba
by General Weyler, expressing a wish for
peace provided Spain offered acceptable
terms 1t is added that Martinez De
Campos communicated the contents Of
the letter to General Weyler and TO the
Spanish government.
WHAT SPAIN PROPOSES TO GIVE
CUBA.
Washington, Dec 31.-The form If
autonomy which Spain is willing to grant
TO Cuba was decided upon in Madrid
to-day at council of the Ministry, pre-
sided over by the Queen Regent The
decree still lacks the official endorsement
of Cortes, but this, it is believed, will be
easily obtainable, when conditions have
reached such point that Spanish au-
| thorities believe reforms can be intro
duced into Cuba without disturbance
and turmoil from any diseontented fac
tions. This information reached the
| Spanish legation tonight, and Minister
DE LONE was authorized to make public
the concessions agreed upon.
These reforms are to 20 into effect
Immediately in Porto Rico, and are an
nounced to-day IN the desire to promul-
gate them as a New Years gift to the
citizens of Porto Rico. These same
measures of relief, it is said, will be an.
nounced in Cuba so soon as the pacifica
tion Of the island is such that the reforms
can be brought about without such re-
volt as would now be caused by the insur-
gents. 1t is claimed that, should the re-
heilious portions Of the island indicate
their willingness to accept the system Of
home rule suggested by Spain and cease
the insurrection, the reforms would in1-
nediately go into effect. Though the
decree announced tonight is intended for
Porto Rico alone, when they are effected
in Cuba they will be on an enlarged
scale, and Porto Rico will also be favored
with the larger rights allowed Cuba.
Friends OF the Spanish legation here
state that these reforms were not brought
about by the intermediation of the Unit
ed States.
Senior De LONE said tonight: 'Fhe
object of the reforms in Cuba and Porto
Rico is to transfer to the council Of ad-
ministration of each island powers which
hitherto have been attTibutions Of the
government officials and exercised in
Madrid. The reforms as announced,
state that this council Of administration
| is to be composed, in the case of Porto
Rico, Of six provincial assemblymen of
the region in which the next biennial cleo
| tion shall take place, and six councillors
appointed by the supreme government.
The council is to deliberate upon the
! general estimates of expenditures and
| revenues of the island; upon the general
accounts; upon the removals or suspen-
sions Of Mayor or Aldermen, and upon
the petitions for Legislative reforms that
emenate from the provincial assembly
The provincial assembly shall resolve,
| in accordance with the laws and regula-
| aions, what ever it may deem proper for
the Management in the whole island.
lit shall be the duty of the governor
general, as supreme over the authorities
Of the island, to carry out the resolutions
| OF the council.
Although the Budget for the island
| must be finally voted by the Spanish par
liament, the Antilles send a numerous
and powerful representation to the
Cortes, enjoying in this respect a great
| advantage over the English Colonies.
| MACEO'S SUCCESSOR WOUNDED.
Havana, Dec. 31.-GeneraI Ruls Riv-
| era, who succeeded Antonio Maceo at
the head OF the patriot forces in the pro-
| vince Of Pinar del Rio is wounded, ac-
cording to adyices received here from
| Artemisa. 1t was stated here this even
ing THAT General Rivera subsequently,
| died of his wounds. 1t is further stated
that Brgadier Salvador Rios, who was
wounded in an engagement at Peralojo,
| died some time later.
| Private advices received from Col. Ci-
rujeda, says that ait the fight which took
| place near Cayo Rosa, the insurgent
General Silverfo Saudhez, was among
the killed.
CAN'T GET PAPERS FROM SPAIN.
Washington, Dee. 31.-If either of the
suspected flibustering craft, Dauntless
or Commodore, sail from Jacksonville
for Neuyitas or Santigo, Cuba, they will
do so without clearance papers from the
Spanish Consul, and therefore will be de-