The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-10-28
The, Spanish Minister Consents TO Talk
About the New Cabinets Policy.
EVOLUTION OF THE MOVEMENT
More LtborRl Than tho Canoyns plnn
-Cubn to Have n Locnl Legislature
and Ministry With Representation
I'm the sPanisi, Cortes-subJccts Of
1.egisIntion.
washington. Oct. q. 1897.

washington, OCt. II, 1881.
The Spanish Minister, Senior Dupuy
de LONE. consented for the first time
to-day to speak concerning the policy
OF autonomy which the Spanish govern
met proposes to apply to Cuba. This
has been referred to in general terms
since the advent of the Sagasta minis
try, but there has been lack OF authen-
ic details.
Before leaving for New York to-day.
. 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 general
outlining Of the policy itself.
Under the provisions Of the treaty OF
San Jon, concluded in 1878, al the close
of the last Cuban disturbance II was
provided that Cuba was to enjoy the
same liberties as those accorded to the
Island Of Puerto Rico. This latter is
land had the same privileges as those OF
any province Of Spain
This brought the autonomIst party.
principle being that of self government
Tor cuba, and not treating Cuba as a
province OF Spain. as was the system
In Puerto Rico. That party adopted a
platform and in 1856 offered a complete
program OF autonomy for the conSidera-
.stEon OF the country. A peace agitation
4 Of this autonomy program was then in
sNaugurated 2In 1893, = for tf1e first time
a minister OF n Liberal cabinet, senor
Maura saw the mistake of that system
of rule known as 'tassimi!a tion," which
treated Cuba as a Spanish province
and he presented n plan of reforms
This was strongly opposed and after
two years of discussion 1t was found i'm
possible to put the plan through the
Cortes. Then a compromise reform
measure was framed which acknowl-
edged the personality of Cuba as n sep-
a-ate body. but under the Spanish flag.
These reforms having been considered
insufficient on account Of the state of
the island Premier Canovas proceed
ed to greatly enlarge them, his plan be-
Ing, however. short of absolute auton-
omy. Now Mr.. Moret. minister of the
colonies In the new cabinet fulfil!s the
promise of the Liberal party when IL
was in the minority. and proclaims that
autonomy as 1t has always been de-
manded by the home rule party in
Cuba
Under this policy as applied TO Cuba,
the Island will have system OH the
lines OF those of Canada or of the
American States. maintaining its in
divlduality on all internal affairs. and
yet retaining lis place as n part of the
Federal system.
1t wMl have Il viceroy or governor
general, az is always the case in the
maintenance of a colonial system, such
as that Of Australia New Zealand or
Canada The ISLAND will have lis own
legislature, chosen directly by the peo-
pie. who will enjoy universal suffrage
From the majority in the Legislature e.
the governor general will choose his
ministry. consisting of president of the
ministry and four ministers, namely
Minister of the INFERIOR Minister OF
Public Works, Minister of Public In
struction and Minister of Finance At
the same time Cuba will have II rcprc-
ta:lon in the Spanish Cortes as well
us her local legislature. The represen-
tative to the Cortea will also be elected
by the people Of Cuba, Through univcr-
sal suffrage. and will not he selected by
the Ministry as has been erroneously
stated. The Ministry will be RESPONSE
BILE to the legislature and not to the gov
ernor general The subjects before the
Legislature will include those Of taxa
taon, tariff, public instruction, and all
matters Of the Internal admin!sira ton
of the island. in the broadcast sense of
the term