The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-02

SPANS Offers Made Public-0 hat Has
Been Granted in Porto Rico.

WASHINGTON. Jan 1.-The following
was given out here last night for pub
LEGATION:
The form of autonomy which Spain Is
willing to grant to Cuba was decided
upon in Madrid yesterday az a council of
the Ministry. presided over By the
queen Regent The decree still lacks the
official Endorsement OF the COrtcs. but
this, il is believed. Will Doe easily obtain
able when conditions have reached such
"a point that the Spanish authorizes De-
lieye the reforms can Dee iutrcuuced lh
Cuba without disturbance ana luimoli
from any discontinued factions This in
formation reached the Spanish legation
last night. and Minister de LONE was
authorized 10 make public thu conces-
si0us agreed upon. THESE reforms are 10
20 into effect Immediately m Porto Rico,
and were announced yesterday iu the dee
sire Co promugate them IA % New Year
gift 10 the citizens of Porto RiCO
These same measures OF reItt. 10 D.
said. will Dee announced iu Cubh so soon
as the pacilcation OF the isiaui ls such
that the reforms can be brought about
without such revolt ass would ROW Dee
caused boy the insurgents. III BIS claimed
that. should the rebclliOus portions OF tAe
islands indicate their Willingness TO ace
tcpt the system OF home rulc tu8AesitA
10y Spain, and cease the lnSurrectlOu. the
feet Though the decree announced last
night Is intended no present for Porto
Rico alone. when they are elected lh
Cuba they will Dee on an enlarled scale.
and Porto Rico also will be- iavdred with
the larger RIGHTS allowed Cuba Friends
of the Spanish legation here slate that
these reforms were not brought about nl
the Instrumentation OF the United states
Senior De Lone said last night: The
reform law was voted 10y the '"rtes in
% D..
the Aut0nOmist party and received a
unanimous vote in the party. AmpI- tnr
voters We're such conspicuous AutonO-
mists as MOntOre. Gilbcrga, La3ra, Fer
ry Fernando. and Gonzales. ai Cubans.
The leaders OF the aufOnOmlst party of
Porto Rico have been in Madrid this win
ter and the royal decree entirely meets
with their approval What tss been
printed as "a new plan Of reform Is notn-
ing but the law OF 1895 published by the
Spanish Legation In May last I'm the
pamphlet entitled Spanish Rus in Gu
ia.' The restrictions on the appoint
mcnt OF councillors are not against the
people but "a restriction OF the uowets
of the government. Nearly all the
councillors appointed by the Cr3wn are
to be taken from the people that have
received votes from the clectOrf or have
been prominent in the business commu-
nifty or are among the principal iaN-pay-
ers. ENRIQUE NarOna, the minuer or
the New York junta. and even people
now In the field. could be- appointed cOun-
cilor by the Crown. and Of curse be
elected.
The object Of the reforms in Cuba and
Porto Rico is 20 transfer 20 the council
OF administration OF each island movers
which hitherto have been attrit uuons or
the government officials and exercised In
Madrid
The reforms as announced state that
this council OF administration Is 70 De
composed Ia the case OF Porto RICO. OF
six provincial Assomblymen or the region
In which the next biennial election shan
take place. and six Councillors appoint
ed hv the government must be- qualified
as follows.
To be or 10 have been President OF
Chamber OF Commerce. Of the Economic
Society OF Friends OF the Country, or OF
the Association OF Agrlculturalists
To be or 10 have been director or the
Institute OF San Juan, or dean OF the
corporations of lawyers OF San Juan de
Puerto Rico.
Ia b. ar 10 hAva been for four years