The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-10-05
"Spanish Autonomy,' -

General BOynton, the veteran Wash
ington correspondent, whose relations
with Major Mckinley have for many
years been peculiarly intimate, offers
in the New York Sun a guess at the
contents of General Woodford's letter
to Spain which, although unofficial in
Vites special attention. General Boyn-
ton represents that in the letter every
proper effort is made by the president
through the use. of perfect candor to
induce Spain to initiate a policy look
ing toward peace in Cuba. The letter
contains ample justification for the
concern of the United States in the Gu
ban war because of the losses sus-
tanned by Americans through that war
and the great expense put upon eur
government in it's incessant efforts to
preserve the neutrality laws. Spain is
informed in friendliest words that there
is no desire on the part of this govern
ment to provoke a conflict, neither is
there any territorial design on Cuba.
The wish of the government is for
peace and friendship. But the presi-
dent says very frankly that the state
of public opinion is such in this coun-
try that reluctance on Spains part to
receive this overture in good spirit and
to make earnest attempts to remove
the causes of irritation in Cuba would
| be likely to be followed by legislation
| by congress unfavorable to Spain.
| Such legislation he would be pOwerless
| to prevent.
The fact that the presentation of this
letter at Madrid was followed by the
| downfall of the Conservative cabinet
which stood committed to the policy
| of rule or ruin in Cuba, and then by
| the commissioning of a Liberal premi-
er, Senor Sagasta, may not have il
lustrated cause and effect, but in any
event we may now with freshened in
terest study the Sagasta programme
as it was authoritatively outlined on
July 10 last in speech by Senior Moret
Sagasta lieutenant, at Saragossa
According to that speech the new pre-.
mer of Spain will endeavor to effect
these reforms" in Cuba:
/. Spains constitution TO be enforced il
| Cuba without any of the restrictions con
tanned in decree of 1852, which practi
cally authorized the governor-gcneral tC
| ignore certain constitutional rights When
ever he saw fit.
. The inhabitants of Cuba to enjoy tn,
same political rights as those of Spain.
s. The establishment of an insuiar as
sembly whose members shall be elected
by suffrage. Another body, similar to tn
Spanish senate in its constitution, to b.
established later.
4. The insular assembly will have powe
to frame the budget fer the island's eN
penditures, as well as the budget for IN
receipts affecting both the islands and III
nations treasures; to legisldte upon al
local public services and to draft tarii
measures.
5. The home government will have tn
exclusive direction Of the affairs Of wal
navy, and foreign relations, and also a
regards the jurisdiction, competency, an
organization of tribunals, and the enact
ment of political and civil laws having
national scope. 1t will also fix the i'm
perial expenditures, and determine tn
amount to be paid by the insular treasury
9. The executive power in Cuba will b
in charge of a governor-general, assste
by council of delegates to be appointe
by him, and vino will be responsible to IN
Assembly. The executive functions in
clude all that relates to the royal patror
age, the appointment and dismissal, :
conformity with laws common to all tn
nation, of al civil and judicial function
aries, the local tribunals to be subordr
ated to the higher courts Of the nation.
1t will be noticed that this plan cor
cedes to Cuba merely non essential!
Spain under it would retain it's trad
| tional grip on the Cuban courts and th
Cuban treasury, and by also maintain
ing its hold on the affairs of war, nav
and foreign relations it would effeC
{ tually prevent Cuba from subsequent
acquiring her freedom save by the yer
sacrifices which she is at present under
going. Not a word is said by the es
I FOUNDER of the Sagasta policy concern
ing the disposition of the Cuban publ
: debt, now amounting to nearly $500
5 100000 or nearly $144O apiece for eac
8 male Cuban, with an annual intere,
charge exceeding the value Of the Il
lands entire production in it's presei
5 devastated state. If the Liberal pla
e is to put this burden wholly on Cuba
$ shoulders despite the fact that its a
I cumulation has been the work chief
5 of Spanish incompetency and dishone
:. ty, the insurgents might well pref
a death in war to lingering death und
: a hopeless financial handicap.
d Many facts are in evidence TO pro,
r that when Senor sagasta in behalf
Il Spain makes to the insurgent leade
! the foregoing proffer OF what he col