The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-12-07

ance with the needs and circumstances
of the time, and that these reforms
while designed to give full autonomy tc
the colony and to create virtual en-
tity and self-controlled administration
| shall yet conserve and affirm the SOW
ereignty of Spain by just distribution
of powers ard burdens. upon basis OF
| mutual interest, untainted by methods
of methods of selfish expediency.
ALL VERY BEAUTIFUL.
! The first acts Of the new government
lie in these honorable paths. The policy
! of cruel rapine and determination taat
| so long shocked the universal sentiment
| Of humanity has been reversed. Un Ter
the new military commando broad.
clemency 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 te
used not to spread ruin and deSolation,
| but to protect the resumption Of peace
| ful agricultural pursuits and productive
| industries. That past method. are futile
| to force a peace by subjugation is freely
admitted, and that ruin without concilia-
ton must inevitably fail to win Cor
Spain the fidelity Of contented depen-
dency.
GIST OF SPANS DEGREES.
DEGREES in application OF the foreshad-
owed reforms have already been pro-
mulgated. The fun text OF these de-
crees has not been received, but as fur
nished in a telegraphic summary from
our minister. are:
All civil and electoral rights Of penin-
.ular Spaniards are, in virtue of exist
ing constitutional authority, forthwith
extended to colonial Spaniards. A
scheme, Of autonomy has been proclaim
ed by decree, to become effective upon
ratification by the cortes. 1t creates a
Caban parliament which, with the insu-
lar executive, can consider and vote up
on all subjects affecting bcai order and
interests, possessing unlimited power
save a. to matters Of state, war ani
the navy as to which the goveror gsner-
al acts by his own authority, IS the dele
gate OF the central government. This
parliament receives the oath of the gov
ernor general to preserve faithfully the
liberties and privileges Of the colony,
and to it the colonial secretaries are re-
sponsible. II has the right to propose to
the central government, through the
governor general, notifications of the
national chatter and to invite new pro-
Jects of law or executive measures in
the interest of the colony.
Besides its local powers IL is incom
petent, first, to regulate electoral regis
tration and procedure and prescribe the
qualification of electors and the manner
of exercising suffrage; second, to organ
ize courts of justice with native judges
from members OF the local bar; the
power to frame the insular budget both
as TO expenditures and revenues, to
meet the Cuban share of the national
budget, which latter will be involved by
the national cortes, with the assistance
OF senators and sputies; fourth. to in
itiate or take part in the negotiations
of the national government for CONNER
cial treaties which may affect Cuban in
terestS; fifth. TO accept or reject COM
mercial treaties which the national gov
ernment may conclude without the par
ticipation of the Cuban government;
sixth, TO frame the colonial tariff, acting
in accord with the peninsular govern
ment inscheduling articles of mutual
commerce between the mother country
and the colonies. After introducing or
voting upon a bin, the Cuban govern
ment, or the chambers. will lay the pro-
ject before the central government and
epondence in such regard being made
public. Finally, all conflicts of jurisdic-
tion arising Between the different munic-
ipal, provincial and insular assemblies,
or between the latter and the insular
executive power and which from their
nature may not be referrable to the GEN.
trail government for decision, shall be
submitted to the courts.
GIVE SAGASTA A CHANCE.
That the government of Sagasta has
entered upon a course from whien recess
sion with honor is impossible can herdly
be questioned; that in the few weeks it
has existed it has made earnest Of the
sincerity OF its professions. is undenia-
rble. I shall not impugn its sincerity, nor
should impasience be suffered to embar-
rass il in the task it has undertaken.
1t is honestly due to Spain and to our
friendly relations with Spain that she
should be given a reasonable chance to
realize her expectations and 10 prove the
asserted efficacy of the new order OF
things, to which she stands irrevocably
committed
SYMPTOMS OF SINCERITY.
A.. H. hn>
brutal orders inflamed the American
mind and shocked the civilized world.
She has modified the horrible order Of
concentration and has undertaken 10
care for the helpless and permit those
VINO desire 70 resume the cultivation OF
their fields to do so and assures them
Of the protection of the Spanish gov
ernment in their lawful occupations.
she has Just released the Competitor
prisoners, heretofore sentenced 10 death,
ard vino have been the subject OF re-
peated diplomatic correspondence dur
ing bosh this and the preceding admins
tration. Not a single American citizen
Is now under arrest or in confinement
in Cuba. OF whom this government has
any knowledge.
WILL ACT IF NECESSARY.
The near future will demonstrate
whether the indispensable condition Of
righteous peace, just alike to the Cuoans
and 20 Spain as well as equitable to all
our Interests. so intimately involved in
the welfare of Cuba. is likely 10 De at
tanned. Il not. the exigency OF further
and other action by the United states
will remain 20 be taken When c1a;
time comes that action will De deter
mined in the line OF the disputaole
right and duty. II viii Se faced. with
o,rs n1fsgiving or hesitancy. In She light