The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-10-28
DE LONE TALKS AUTONOMY.
spanish Minister Explains the New
Cuban Reform Scheme.

spanish Minister Explains the New
Cuban Reform Scheme.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 27-The Span-
1sh minister, Senior Dupuy de LONE.
consented for the first time TO-DAY tn
speak concerning the policy of auto
nomy which the Spanish government
proposes to apply to Cuba This has
peen discussed in general terms since
the advent of the Sagasta ministry.
but there has been lack of authentic
details. Before leaving for New York.
where the minister and his family will
spend several weeks, Senior Dupuy de
Lone gave the evOlutions through
which autonomy had passed. leading
UP TO the present policy, and the gen
eral outline of the policy itself.
Under the provisions Of the treaty Of
Zanjon, concluded in 1878, at the close
OF the last Cuban disturbance, he
said, it was provided that Cuba was
10 enjoy the same liberties as those
accorded to the island of Puerto Rico
This latter island had the same liber
lies as those of any province in Spain.
Ihls brought the autonomist party. So
called, into existence, it's essential
principle being that of self-govern-
ment for Cuba, and not treating Cuba
as province of Spain, as was the sys-
tenn in Puerto Rico. That partv
ADOPTED a platform and in 1886 offered
a complete programme of autonomy.
for the consideration of the country
"A peaceful agitation of this auto
nomy programme was then inaugu-
rated. In 1893, for the first time, a
minister in Liberal cabinet, Senior
Maurau, saw the mistake of the sys-
tenn of rule known as assimilation"
which treated Cuba as Spanish
province, and he presented a plan of
reforms. This was strongly opposed.
and after the two years of discussion.
1t was found impossible to put the
plan through the Cortes. Then COM
promise reform measure was framed,
which acknowledged Cuba as a sepa-
rate body. but under the Spanish flag.
These reforms having been considered
insufficient on account of the state of
the island, Premier Canovas procee ded
to greatly enlarge them. his plan be-
ing, however, short of absolute auto
nomy."
Now Mr. Moret, minister of the coll
onies in the new cabinet, fuIfills the
promises of the Liberal party when it
was in the minority and proclaims
that autonomy always demanded by
the home rule party of Cuba Under
C1iiS pCIICy, do dppIleu W CuDd, Ine
island will have a system on the lines
Of those of Canada, or of the Ameri-
can states, maintaining its Individual
tty on all internal affairs and yet re-
taining it's place as a part of the fed
eral system. 1t will have viceroy
or governor general as is always the
case in the maintenance of a colonial
system, such as that of Australia.
New Zealand or Canada.
'Tha island will have itc own 1epic-
lature, chosen directly by the people,
who will enjoy universal suffrage.
From the majority in the legislature,
the governor general will choose his
ministry. consisting of a president of
the ministry and four ministers, name
ly, minister of the interior, minister
of public works, minister of public in
struction. and minister of finance At
the same time Cuba will have represen-
tation in the Spanish cortes, as well
as her local legislature. The repre-
sentatives to the cortes will also be
elected by the people of Cuba, through
universal suffrage and will not be Sc
lected by the ministry as has been er
roneously stated The ministry will
be responsible to the legislature and
not to the governor general The sub
jects before the Legislature will tn~
clude those of taxation. tariff, public
instruction and all matters Of the in
ternal administration of the island, in
the broadest sense of this term
The departure of Minister Dupuy and
family for New York is said to have
no significance ard to be entirely Ler-
sonai. He gave up his present resi-
dence and took new quarters on Mas
sachusetts avenue. The new house
will not be ready for occupation until
Dec. 1. and in the meantime it is
agreeable to the minister to spend a
few weeks in New York. The legation
has already been removd to the Mas
sachusetts avenue house and it will
transact routine affairs during the
minister's absence, all of the larger
questions of politics and policy going
direct to him. The Spanish authori-
ties have received no information as
to the answer to Minister Wcodford,
bevond the fact that the answer was
nlSced in Mr.. Woodford's hands ON
Monday afternoon.
MADRID. Oct 27.-The cabinet sat
for hours this evening and d1scussed
all aspects of the Cuban question, both
in relation to the United States and TO
the finances, which according to Senior
Puigeerver, the minister of finance. OF
fer less serious complications than
have been reported. Lieut.. Gen Wey-
Ter has cabled the government renewed
assurances of his loyalty and OF his IN
tention to prevent all demonstrations
on his departure from Cuba.