The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-03-05
NO REFORMS FOR CUBA YET
SPAIN DECIDES TO WITHDRAW ALL
HER PROMISES.

No Use in Trying TO give Cubs n BETTER Cow
erbment-Cnnovns hacks Down ana ssEn.ta
Supports Him-rho whole scheme Merely
n shnm TO Deceive US for n Pew weeks.
HAVANA, March 4.-After all the talk about
reforms for tho island Of Cuba and the pub
ncation OF the decree signed by the Queen Re-
gent OF Spain, nows came yesterday that there
will be no reforms Of any description for the
J present.
A cable despatch from Madrid published here
contains an extract Of an article printed In La
Epocd Of Madrid. in which II Is said that after
careful deliberation and consultation with the
authorities In Cuba. the Government has do
cided that the time In not yet ripe 10 institute any
kind Of reforms In tho administration OF tho
island.
The news produced . great sensation here, and
all the more when Il became known that this
new attitude Of the Government OF Senior Cano-
vas Is strongly supported by tho Liberal party
at Madrid.
The despatch announces that Senior Sagasta,
leader OF the Lberals, has expressed his opinion
that 1t will DO a mistake for Spain to concede
reforms to Cuba after tho interference of the
United States In favor OF them.
The more" said senior Sagasta, that Spain
comedies to Cuba at the request OF the Yankees
the more they will ask, and AS their policy with
regard TO us Is based upon bad faith, the game
will be endless II we lot It go on"
The resolution OF the Government was adopted
after a long conference held in tho Office OF
Senior Canovas between tho President Of tho
Council Of Ministers and the Duke Of Tetuan,
Minister OF Foreign Affairs, and Gen. Azcarraga,
Minister OF War.
The press censor has suppressed IN tho pub
lishod despatch Of La Lucha, a paragraph in
which 1t Is said that tho Duko OF Tctuan pro-
scnted several communications from Senior
Dupuy do LONE. Spanish Minister in WASH
ington, In which IL is affirmed that tho reforms
will not produce any favorable effect in tho
United States. as public opinion has already re-
jcctcd them as a sham scheme; and. moreover,
that the Information from Cuba IL positive about
the energetic refusal Of tho Insurgents to occept
even home rule IA liberal as that enjoyed by tho
Dominion OF Canadn.
Gen. Azcarrags corroborated these assertions.
The position of La Epocd, as the official organ
OF the party Of Senior Canovas, gives to the news
a double Importance. 1t is we'll known that
Senior Escobar. Marquis Of vnldcisleisias and
editor OF La Epocd, receives daily inspiration
for his paper from Senior Canovas himself.
The Cubans in Havana, rs well as tho REFORM
lists. consider the nows as a confirmation OF their
views, reported in THE Sun when the decree Of
reforms was published, that the whole scheme
was merely a diplomatic trick OF Spain TO dis
tract puDllC opinion IN tne lnltcu states uurlHS
tho last days OF Mr. levcland's administration.
The Marquis OF Montoro has been called to
Madrid by Senior Canovss, and tho report Is ro-
itcrated In Havana that ho will be appointed
Minister OF the Colonies.
Several sugar plantations in the provinces Of
Havana, Matanzas. and Santa Clara are grind
ing. paying heavy taxes both to tho insurgents
and the Spanish Government.
Big frauds havo been discovered in the Lottery
OF Havana, controlled by the Government. II is
said that the latest prize OF $4,000 was won by
trickery.
The Matanzss, Bernardo Quintana Barrora,
jose Hernandez Martinez, and Jos6 Alfonso y
Alfonso will be shot by the Spaniards as revolu-
uonists.