The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-01
Form Of Autonomy Said
to Be Decided On.
II Lacks, However, the En-
dOrsement of the COrteS.
Spanish Minister d: LONE An
nounces the, Concessions.

Washington. Jan. 1.-The form OF au.
onomy which Spain Is willing TO grant
20 Cuba was decided upon In Madrid yes
lerday. at q council OF the nlnintry pre-
sided over by the queen regent The de-
cree still lacks the official endorsement
OF the cortes. but this, II is believed. will
be easily obta,nable when conditions
have reached such point that the span
ish authorities believe the reforms can
he inu oduced IN Cuba without disturb
0nce and turmoil from any discontented
factions. THIS information reached the
Spanish legation last night, aud Minister
DE Lone was authorized 70 make public
the concessions agreed upon.
These reforms are 10 go into effect i'm
- 'ately IN Porto Rico. and are an
iced In the desire 10 promulgate
them as New Years gift 10 the citizens
OF Porto Rico.
These same measures OF relief, Il Is
said, VIII be ennounced In Cuba as soon
as the pacliication of the island is such
that the reforms can be brought about
without such revolt as would now be
caused by the insurgs nts. 1t Is claimed
taat should the rebellous portions of the
islaHd indicate their willingness to ac-
cept the system OF home rule suggested
by spain. and cease the insurrection.
That lhe retOrI,s immediately would 20
into effect. Though the decree an
nounced Is intended at present for Porto
RICO alone, when they are effected In
Cuba they WI be on an enlarged scale,
and Porto Rico also will be favored with
the larger rights allowed Friends OF
the Spanish legation here state that
these reforms were not brought about by
the intermediation OF the United States.
Senor De Lone said last night: The re.
form law was voted by the cortes in Feb
ruory,f 1895. II was accepted then by the
autonomist party. and received a unani-
nous vote In the cortcg. Among the
voters were such conspicuous autono-
mists as Mentsro. G!bsrga, Labra, Ferry.
Fernando and Gonzales. all Cubans. The
leaders OF the outonomist party Of Porto
Rico have been In Madrid this winter,
and the royal decree entirely meets with
their approval. What has been printed
as new plan Of ret Im Is nothing but
the law OF 1927. published by the Spanish
legation In May last In the pamphlet en-
titled Spanish Rule in Cuba" The re-
strictions on The appointment OF counsel.
lors arc not against the people. but re-
stsictlon Of the powers OF the govern.
meat. Nearv all the counseliors APP
pointed by the crown are TO be taken
from the people that have received votes
from the electors, or have been promi-
nent In the business community or are
among the principal taxpayers. Enrique
Varona, the member OF the New York
tunta, and even people now In the field.
could be appointed counsellor by thu
crown and OF course elected.
The object Of the reforms In Cuba and
Porto Rico Is 10 transfer to the council
OF administration of each island powers
which hitherto have been attribr tions
os government officials and exercised In
Madrid. Tie reforms as aanunced state
tat this council OF administration is to
be corapcsed, In the case CT Porto Rico, of
six provincial assemolymen of the re-
sion In which the next biennial election
shall take place, and six councillors ap-
pointed by the supreme government.
The coancIl Is to deliberate upon the
general estimates OF expenditures and
revenues OF the island; upon the general
accounts which the finance department
OF the islard must present annually
within the six months following the end
OF the fiscal year; upon the removals or
Suspensions OF mayor or aldermen, and
uponthe petitions for legislative reforma
thayn elngnate from the provisional as
senibly.
Porto Rico consists of one province.
divided In two regions. In this II differs
from Cuba, which Is divided into six
provinces.
The provincial assembly is TO consist
OF IL assemblymen. six from each
region. Terms of Office four years.
The election to I'll the vacant seats is
to take piece every two years, the
region OF San juan voting at one
esection and tho region Of Ponce at an.
other.
The provincial assembly to elect its
own president. to Judge OF the elections,
returns and qualifications Of the as.
semblymen and to decide all questions
referring TO its own organization under
the law.
only the supreme court of the island
shall have jurisdiction over the appeal
from the decision OF the provincial as.
scmbly In these questions.
The provincial assembly shall re.
solve in accordance with the laws and
regulations, whatever 1t may deem
proper for the management In the whole
island Of public works. posts and tele-
graphs. railways and navigation. agri.
culture manufactures. trade. immigra-
tion and colonization. public instruction,
charities and the health department
without prejudice Of the supervision anc
OF the powers inherentto the sovereignty
of the nation. which the laws reserve to
the supreme government. Each year
it shall prepare and approve the esti
mates. with sufficient appropriations
for those departments and shall exer
else the functions that the law OF munl
cipelities and other special laws shall
attribute 20 IL. IL shall audit. ord. In
the proper cases. approve the accounts
Sf the provincial revenues and expen.
diturss. which accounts shall be rem.
dered every year by the section OF locai
administration. and shall determine th,
liabilities therein incurred by officials
The revenues for its appropriations
sha;l consist:
First. Of the proceeds of the lands and
rents that are the property Of the prov
irce or OF the Institutions whose man
asement pertains to the provincial as