The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-10-05
PEACE IN SIGHT.
It is Believed in Washington That
the Cuban War viii End Soon.


the Cuban War Will End Soon.
Washington. Oct. 5.-One result of the
formation of a sagasta cabinet in Spain.
it is believed, will be the granting of
amnesty to most if not all, the
American prisoners held in Cuba, and
the pardon of many Cubans condemned
to imprisonment in the island of Cuba
Pending the completion of the Sagasta
cabinet, there has been no official init
nation that such action would be taken
but it is said to be natural and neces-
sary part of the new Spanish policy in
vOlving the withdrawal of General Wey-
Ter and the adoption of more conciliatory
plans. The Competitor prisoners, it is ex-
pected, will be released early. and Miss
Cisneros also.
Concerning pending claims, such as that
in the case of DR.. Ruiz, it is said that
a commission probably will be proposed
to deal with all claims arising during the
rebellion, and there are intimations that
steps toward the creation of such COM
mission are now under way.
Although there is continued reticence at
the state department concerning Spanish
Cuban affairs, it is understood that the
government has been informed that Spain
will offer autonomy to Cuba similar to
that enjoyed by Canada, and in admin
istration circles the prevalent opinion
seems to be that if full measure of
real autonomy is offered it should be ac>
cepted by the Cubans. The incoming of
the Sagasta cabinet is welcomed by the
administration, which several weeks ago
was apprehensive of a possible early dis
turbance of our friendly relations with
Spain.
The statement attributed to the new
premier that he would favor the largest
measures of autonomy, has directed at
tention to the past efforts towards au-
tonomy. Those offered by the Conserva-
tive cabinet and made known to the
United States through the Spanish min
ister Dupuy De Lone, contemplated
council of administration, elected in part
by the Cubans, which was to have an
advisory power in shaping the affairs of
the island. This plan has taken the form
of a lengthy decree, which has already
been gazetted, although it has never been
put into effect in Cuba, owing to the dis
turbed conditions. The objection found
to this plan was that while 1t was in
name autonomy. it did not give real home
rule, as the Cuban council was not to be
a legislative body with final powers of
making laws, but merely an advisory
council. In contrast with this, it is said
that the Liberal plan of autonomy, as de-
sired by the Autonomist party of Cuba,
contemplates a colonial parliament or
legislature, with final powers of law
making, save the usual power of veto
preserved in all forms of constitutional
government. This would be the lines
of home rule operating in Australia and
Canada, and the latter countries were
cited as examples of complete autonomy
by the Spanish statesman, CASTELAR,, when
autonomy was first suggested for the
island. Such a measure of autonomy, it
is expected. would command much sup
port in Cuba among substantial elements.
they including the Autonomist party. In
this connection it is understood that the
newly chosen president of the insurgents,
Mendez Capote, is a man of conservative
tendencies and during a visit to Wash
ington some months ago he is said to
have expressed views favorable to a close
of hostilities on some fair basis of com
promise.