The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Concluded from First Page)

tonomy has been proclaimed by decree to
become effective upon ratification by the
COrteS.
1t creates a Cuban parliament, which,
with the insular executive, can consider and
vote upon all subjects affecting local or
der and interests, possessing unlimited pow
ers save as to matters of state, war and
the navy, as to which the governor gen
eral acts by his own authority as the dele
gate Of the central government This par
lament receives the oath Of the governor
general to preserve faithfully the liberties
and privileges of the colony and to 1t the
colonial secretaries are responsible. 1t has
the right to propose to the central govern
rnent, through the governor general, mod
ifications of the national charter and to
invite new projects of law or executive
measures in the interest of the colony.
Besides its local powers, 1t is competent,
first to regulate electoral registration and
procedure and prescribe the qualifications
of electors and the manner Of exercising
suffrage; second, to organize courts of JUS
tice, with native judges, from members of
budget, both as to expenditures and rev.
enues, to meet the Cuban share or the ma
tional budget. which latter will be voted by
the national Cortes, with the assistance OF
Cuban senators and deputies; fourth, to in
itiate or take part in the negotiations of
the national government FOR commercial
treaties which may affect Cuban interests;
fifth to accept or reject commercial treat
les which the national government may
have concluded without the participation OF
the Cuban government sixth, to frame the
colonial tariffs, acting in accord with the
peninsular government in scheduling ar
ticles of mutual commerce between the
mother country and the colonies.
Before introducing or voting upon DILL
the Cuban government or the chambers,
will lay the project before the central gov
eminent and hear it's opinion thereon, all
the correspondence In such regard being
made public. Finally, all conflicts of Jur1s-
diction arising between the different munich
pal, provincial and insular assemblies. or
between the latter and the insular eXecu-
tive power, and which, from their nature,
may not be referable to the central govern
ment for decision, shall be submitted TO the
courts.
SAGASTA FULFILLING PROMISES.
That the government of Sagasta has en-
tered upon a course from which recession
with honor is impossible can hardly be
questioned; that in the few weeks it has ex-
listed it has made earnest of the sincerity
of it's professions is undeniable. l shall not
impugn its sincerity, nor should impatience
be suffered to enibarrass it in the task it
has undertaken. 1t is honestly due to Spain
and to our friendly relations with Spain
that she should be given reasonable
chance to realize her expectations, ind to
prove the asserted efficacy of the new order
of things to which she stands irrevocably
committed.
She has recalled the commander whose
brutal orders infiamed the American mind
and shocked the civilized world. She has
modified tive horrible order of concentration,
and has undertaken to care Tor the helpless
and permit those who desire to resume the
cultivation of their fields to 90 SO. ana as
sures them of the protection of the Spanish
government in their lawful occupations: she
has rele ased the Competitor prisoners here
tofore sntenced to death. and who have