Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-05
SAGASTA'S CABINET.
1T Is REGARDED AS A FAIRLY
STRONG BODY.
new POLICY TOWARDS CUBA.
Proposal of Autonomy ON Certain
COnditions-Amnes for Ameri-
Manufacturer Reforms.

| madrid, ONtOptT sine new InihiS
/. try Is constituted as follows:
Senior sagasta. President OF the Coun-
ell Of Ministers.
/ Senior Gullon, Minister for Foreign AT,
fairs
Senior Grolzard, Minister OF Justice.
General Correa, Minister Of War.
Admiral Bermejo, Minister Of Marine.
Senior Puigcerver. Minister OF Finance.
Senior Cap de Pom, Minister OF the In
terror.
Count Xiguena, Minister OF Public
Works.
Senior Moret, Minister for the Colonies.
The ministers, after an informal meet
ing. proceeded to the palace and took the
oath of office.
CABINET APPOINTMENTS.
MADRID. october AT a Cabinet
council this evening II was decided TO
appoint Senior Salvador, Minister Of
Finance in the Sagasta Cabinet of 1897,
director of the Bank of Spain.
! Count ROmanone has been appointed
Mayor Of Madrid, and Senior Agurula
Perfect of the city.
SAGASTA FOR CAA1POS REFORMS.
LONDON, October A special dis
patch from Madrid, published here this
afternoon, gives the substance Of an in
terview between newspaper CORES
pendent and an unnamed member OF the
new Spanish Cabinet. The latter IS
quoted as saying that Senior Sagasta
will carry out the Cuban reforms pro-
posed by Marshal Martinez de Campos,
ten years ago. These include the grant
ing OF autonomy to Cuba on condition
that she ahall take over the Cuban debt,
including the war debt, and accept
! Spain's customs tariff.
Continuing, the new Cabinet Minister
is said to have declared that Premier
Sagasta would not consent to a customs
! union between the United States and
| Cuba, and that if the former were not
satisfied Spain was prepared to fight.
/ as the Spanish navy was regarded as
| equal I'm strength TO the navy of the
! United States. Further, if necessary,
| Spain, according to the Cabinet Minis
| ter, would have recourse by privateering.
In conclusion, the new Minister is
alleged to have said it was impossible
that Spain should consent 10 recognize
the insurgent debt, but Premier Sagasta
would not prevent the new Cabinet from
dealing with II.
AMNESTY IN CUBA.
WASHINGTON, October 4.-One result
of the formation Of a Sagasta Cabinet in
Spain. It is believed, will be the granting
OF amnesty to most, if not all, Of the
American prisoners held in Cuba and the
pardon OF many Cubans condemned TO
Imprisonment in the Island Of Cuba.
Pending the completion of the Sagasta
Cabinet, there has been no official intlma-
ton that such action would be taken but
IL is regarded as a natural and necessary
part of the new Spanish policy. The inn
mediate withdrawal Of General Weyler
and the adoption Of more conciiiatory
measures are also expected.
Concerning pending claims, such as that
of DR.. Ruiz, it is said that commission
probably will be appointed to deal with
all the claims arising during the rebel
lion, and there are limitations that steps
towards the creation of such commits
sion are now under way.
Although there is great reticence at the
State Department concerning Spanish
Cuban affairs il is understood that the
government has been informed that Spain
will offer autonomy TO Cuba similar 10
that enjoyed by Canada. and I'm admins !
tration circles the prevalent opinion !
seems to be thai if a full measure Of real |
autonomy is offered it should be accepted |
by the Cubans.
The incoming of the Sagasta Cabinet is |
welcomed by the administration. which |
several weeks ago was apprehensive of a |
possible early disturbance of our now |
friendly relations with Spain. The state
ment attributed to the new Premier,
that he would favor the largest measure |
Of autonomy, has directed attention To
the past efforts toward autonomy.
PLANS OF AUTONOMY.
Those offered by the Conservative Cabi
net and made known TO the United
States through the Spanish Minister, Du-
puy De LONE, contemplate a council OF
administration, elected i'm part by the Gu
bans. which is to have an advisory power
in shaping the affairs OF the island. This
plan has taken the form Of q lengthy de-
cree, which has been already gazetted,
although IL has never been put into effect
in Cuba owing 10 the disturbed conditions.
The objection found 10 this plan was that.
while it was IN name autonomy, it did
not give real home rule as the Cuban
Council was not 10 be an executive body.
with the final power Of making laws but
merely an advisory council.
In contrast with this, IT is said that
the Liberals plan Of autonomy as de-
scribed by the Autonomist party Of Cuba,
a Colonial parliament or
legislature, with final powers Of law
making. save the usual power OF veto,
preserved i'm all forms of legislative gov
eminent. This would be on the lines of
home-rule operating 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 a measure Of autonomy. il Is said |
would command much support In Cuba
among the substantial elements there.
including the Autonomist party. In this
connection, II is understood that the new
lv-chosen President of the insurgents,
Mendez Capote, is a man of conservative
tendencies. and during a visit 10 Wash
ington some time ago Is said TO have
expressed views favorable 10 a close OF
hostilities on some fair basis Of COM
promise.
The Cabinet is regarded as fairly
trong. although some disappointment is
cit that Senior Gamazo. Senior Maura,
senator Armijo. and others who had
,een looked upon as probable members
re not included. 1t is understood that
senior Maura, who was the author of the
rst Cuban home-rule bill, felt that he
ould not satisfactorily serve with
;enor Nloret. while Senior Gamazo who
relative Of Senior Maura's, feared
hat his presence might imply a leaning
oward the Maura's scheme Of reforms.
Senior Sagasta was COM
eled to take less prominent men.
- :
CawdOr Castle.