Red Lodge picket. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1889-1907, 1897-12-11
FAITH IN SPANS PROMISES.
Believes That Cuba Would BE Ruled
In Mode "a ton.
FAITH
T. PROMISES.

But should such a step be now taken.
When it is apparent that hopeful change
has Supervened in the policy of Spain
toward Cuba? A new government has
taken office i'll the mother country. I is
pledged in advance to the declaration that
ali the effort in the world can not suffice
to maintain peace in Cuba by the bayonet:
that vague promises of reform after sub
juSation afford no solution of the insular
problem; that, with a substitution Of com
manders, must come change of the past
system OF warfare for once in harmony
with a new policy which shall no longer
aim to drive the Cubans to the honorable
alternative of taking to the tEicket or
succumbing in misery; that reforms must
be Instituted in accordance with the needs
and circumstances of the time, and that
these reforms. while designed to give full
autonomy to the colony and to create a
virtual entity and self-controlled admin
istration, shall yet conserve and affirm
the sovereignty of Spain by a just distri-
button of powers and burdens upon a
basis of mutual interest untainted by
methods of selfish expediency.
The first acts of the new government lie
in these honorable paths The policy of
cruel rapne and determination. that so
long shocked the universal sentiment of
humanity, has been reversed. Under the
new military commander a broad Glenn
ency is proffered. Measures have already
been set on foot to relieve the horrors Of
starvation. The power of the Spanish
armies, it is asserted. is to be used not
to spread ruin and desolation. but to pro-
tect the resumption of peaceful agricul-
tural pursuits and productive industries
That past methods. are. futile to enforce
a peace by subjugation, is freely admitted
and that ruin without cancellation must
inevitably fail to win for Spain the fidelity
of a contented dependency.
DEGREES in application to the fore
shadowed reforms have already been pro-
mulgated. The full text of these DEGREES
has not been received. but, as furnished in
Geographic summary from our minister,
are:
All civil and electoral rights OF penin-
sular SpaniaTds are, in virtue of existing
constitutional assembly, forthwith ex-
tended to colonial Spanards A scheme
Of autonomy has been proclaimed by de
cree. to become effective upon ratification
by the cOrteS. 1t creates a Cuban par
lament, which, with the nsular executive
can consider and vote upon all subjects
affecting local order and interests pos
sessing unlimited powers save rs to mat
ters of state war and the navy. as to
which the governor general acts by his
own authority as the delegate OF the CEN
trail government.
This parliament receives the oath of
the governor general to preserve faithful
ly the liberties and privileges of the col
ony. and to it the colonial secretaries are
responsible. 1t has the right to propose
to the central government. through the
governor general. notifications of the
charter and to invite new projects of law
or executive measures in the interest of
the colony.
Powers of the Assembly.
Besides its local powers it is competent
first to regulate electoral registration and
procedure and prescribe the uualilica-
tions of electors and the manner of ex-
ercising suffrage: second to organize
courts Of justice with native judges from
members of the local bar: third, to frame
the insular budget, both to expendi-
lures and revenues to meet the Cuban
share of the national budget. which latter
will be voted by the national cortes with
the assistance of Cuban senators and
deputies: fourth, to initiate or take part
in the negotiations of the national govern
ment for commercial treaties which may
effect Cuban interests; fifth. to accept or
reject commercial treaties which the ma
tional government may have concluded
without the participation Of the Cuban
governments. sixth, to frame the colonial
tariff. acting in accord with the penin-
sular government in scheduling articles of
mutual commerce between the mother
country and the colonies.
Before introducing or voting upon bill,
the Cuban government the chambers
viii lay the project before the central
government and hear its opinion thereon: 4:
all the correspondence IN such regard be
ing made public: Finally, all CONFLICTS of
Jurisdiction arising between the different
municipal. provincial and insular assem-
blies or between the latter and the msular
executive power, and when from 1nelr
trail government for decision, shall be sub
mitted to the cortes
That the ecvt: Hment of Sagasta has en-
tered upon course, from which recession
with honor is impossible, can hardly be
questioned; that, in the few weeks it has
existed. it has made earnest of the SINGER
ity of its professions is undeniabe. l
shall not impugn its insecurity, nor should
impatience be suffered to embarrasS il in
the task it has undertaken: 1t is honestly
due to Spain and to our friendly rela ions
with Spain that she should be given a
reasonable chance 10 realize her exnecta-
tons and to prove the asserted efficacy
of the new order of things to which she
stands irrevocaby committed. She has
recalled the commander whose brutal
orders innamed the American mind and
shocked the civilized world. She has mod
flied the horrible order of concentration
less and permit those who desire to re-
sumo the cult;va ton of their fields t. 40
SO, and assures them of the protection Of
the Spanish government in their lawful
occupations. She has just released the
Competitor prisoners, heretofore sentenc-
Ell to death, and who have been the sub
ject of repeated diplomatic correspondence
during both this and the preceding adj
ministration. Not single American citi-
zen is now under arrest or in confinement
in Cuba of whom this government has
any knowledge.
h. Prepared for Exigency.
err the indispensable condition of right
eous peace, just alike to the Cubans and
to Spain, as we'll as equitable to all our
interests, so Intimately involved in the
welfare Of Cuba, is likely to be attained.
If not, the exigency of further and other
action by the United States will remain to
be taken. When that time comes that ac-
will hn dot iyy1l ~ fl,n Of IN