, 1897-10-05
CHANGE OF POLICY.
The Bloodthirsty Dons Are Pulling in
Their Horns.

Washington, d. c., Oct. 4.-One re,
suit OF the formation of a Sagasta cab
met in Spain. II is believed, will Re the
granting Of amnesty to most. if net all
line American prisoners held in Cuba.
and the pardon * many Cubans n
dsmned to life imprisonment in the ISL
and OF Cueta. Pending information O.
the Sagasta cabinet there has been Nc
official Inclination that suoh action
would be taken. but it is said to be a
natural and necessary part Of the new
Spanish policy involving the withdraw
al Of Gen. Weyler and the adoption o.
mere c0nciliatory plans. The Compost
tor prisoners, it is expected. will be re-
leased early. and Miss Cisneros also.
Concerning pending claims. such as
chat a commission probably will be pro-
posed to deal with all claims arising
during the rebellion, and there are init.
nations that steps toward the creation
OF such a commission are now under
way.
Although there is continued reticence
a. the state department concerning
Spanish-Cuban affairs, ii IS understood
that the government has been informed
mat Spain will offer autonomy 20 Cuba
similar to that enjoyed by Canada, and
T., oJ-., - -, ;~aln. 49, ~N.
opinion seems tt lie that if a full eas
ure OF real autonomy is offered ii should
be accepted by the Cubans. The incOn>
ing Sagasta cabinet is welcomed by the
administration. which several weeks
was a~pprehensive CT a possible early
disturbance Of our friendly relations
with Spain.
The statement attributed to the new
premier. chat he would favor the larg.
est measure of autonomy, has directed
attention. b the past efforts toward au,
1cnomy. Those offered by the conser,
vative cabinet and made known to thu
United States through the Spanish min
iscer Dupuy de LONE. contemplated a
council Of administration. elected in
part by the Cubans. which was to nave
an advisory power in shaping the ar
sairs OF the island. This plan has taken
the form Of a lengthy decree, which ha,
been already gaZet,ed, although 1t has
never been put into effect in Cuba, ow.
ing to the disturbed conditions. The
objection found in this plan was that
while it was in name autonomy, it did
ut give real home rule, as the Cuban
council was not to be a legislative body
with final powers OF making laws. but
merely an advisory council. In contrast
with this, it is said thai the liberal plan
OF autonomy, as desired by the autono>
mist parry OF Cuba, con emplates colon
ial parliament. or Legislature. with final
powers OF law-making. ave the usual
power Of veto preserved in all forms Of
constitutional government. This would
be on the lines of the home rule operat-
ing in Australia and Canada, and the
latter countries were cited as examples
Of complete autonomy by the Spanish
statesman, Castelar,. when autonomy
was first suggested for the island. Such
4 measure OF autonomy, it is said. would
command more support i'm Cuba among
the substantial elements there, includ-
ing the autonomist party. In This con
nection it is understood that the newly
chosen president Of the insurgents, Men
DEE Capote. is a man OF conservative ZEN
denotes. and during a visit to Washing.
ton some months ago Is said to have ex-
pressed views favorable to a close OF hos
talfties on some fair basis OF compromise.