Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-02-11
pRoposEp spAsfsn REFoRns.
II Cuba Accepts DAILY Two Other Colonies
WiII Have rs aIuch Liberty.

IL CUBA lccepts Duiy TWO othoE N"toAfeS
WiiI Have rs Much Liberty.
Washington, ID. c.. Feb. H." No
colony In the world, with the exceptions
of Canada and Now South Wales, will
have as large measure Of liberty as
Cuba will have when the new reform
scheme is fully developed, said Senior
Depuy de LONE, the Spanish minister.
to day.
The minister had before him the full
project for the reformation OF the
system OF government OF Cuba, as
gazetted in Madrid yesterday, and had
been analyzing the document with TINS
result He pointed out that, under
tho project, there no longer could be
| complaint that the island was governed
by officials in Madrid or by people sent
from Spain for the purpose, and that
hereafter, If the plan is enforced, the
citizens of Cuba themselves would
govern their island.
He answered an adverse criticism
| that the government had undertaken
| to institute reforms, raj ticularly 10 the
judicial system of the island, that were
| beyond its constitutional powers by the
| statement that the preamble to the re-
| form measure showed that tho govern
l
| in an anticipated manner in this mat
ter, but that it pledged itself TO submit
\ 10 the Cortes, which body does have the
necessary power to make the changes,
the legislation required to give effect
to that portion of tho reform scheme
and also to do all in its power to cause
the ratification Of its anticipatory
| action.
The minister called attention TO the
provisions touching the granting of
electoral franchises. He said that this
would certainly result in considerable
extension OF the right of suffrage in
Cuba.
at present Cubans can vote if they
pay yearly tax amounting to not less
than S.. Now, said the minister, Spain
probably would be willing TO 60 further
and permit persous to vote even If they
did not pay any tag, provided they
could road and write
Under the proposed tariff, by far the
largest number OF dutiable articles are
placed in column imposing uniforms
duty and ore without discrimination
in favor even OF Spain. America and
Spain, asserted the minister, stand or
an equality, therefore, in the contest
for such trade. In the case of & SINAI
proportion OF articles 10 the aecnnC
column discriminating duty is allowed
in favor of Spanish products. Thi'
rate Of discrimination, however, ii
claimed not to be excessive, and alto
getber tho duties will be even mor'
favorable to them, it is said, than wa
the case under the reciprocity treat.
which did so much to stimulate Ameri
can exports to Cuba.
Senior De LONE cuuld not speak NOR
positively than did Senior Canovas as t
the date when the reforms will be in
augurated, but directed attention to tn
statement of the premier that this vii
depend entirely upon the Cubans them
selves. Doubtless minor amendment
in the plan might ba made if they ar
put in fashion to show that they ar
reasonable and exnedient.
In view of the fact that the reforr
? scheme has been gazetted 10 Madri
the minister consented TO make publ
, the preamble to the document. This
l according to the requirements of Span
ish parliamentary practice, is q state
3 ment usually furnished by the govern
I ment with all important measures upo
D their submission 70 tho Cortes explani
o tory of the necessity for tho desire
I legislation. This preamble, which is
! very long document in itself, says i
part:
with the present decree the govern
ment will have completed what Spai
Q has to do 10 hasten the termination
. the present misfortune of Cuba. III
material application Of the relo. II
g only depends on the insurgents. If, COT
= WINGED of the futility of their attemp
v they should griese over the ruin an
y desolation of their native land. then
J. is time for their mother, Spain,
= show her generosity, disposal, as Il
3 always is. to open her arms to them.
u 1t further says that il the insurgen
should not duly appreciate these col
o ce5sions TO tho Island OF Cuba Il
j.. actual government will not cease
J. maintain the war in defence OF the 50
s. ereignty of Spain with the same e
T. ergy as it has done up to the present.
1.-The government has not suflicio
10 motive to judge If tho time before Il
10 application OF reforms in Cuba 81
Il Puerto Rico will be short or Ion
although all the news is eatisfacto
r and the forecast Of the incoming pea
'e general. But whatever the conditio
may be, the government thinks that
% must be prepared 10 empty them wit
D. out the slightest delay when the oppc
70 tunity shall arrive, and for that the a
p vice of the council Of State will
IL urgently sought, Notwithstanding th
re- the government will not apply the d
70 cree until the Indispensable conditio
10 favorable for tho peace that Spain
Us sires aud will nevor cease to desii
and that the civilized world hopes ft
~ shall arrive"