The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-28
THE AUTONOMI DECREES.
summary of the Documents and the
Powers Conferred.

MADRID, Nov 2.-The Official Gazette
this morning publishes the imperial de-
crees granting autonomy for Cuba and
Porto Rico.
Article l explains the principles OF the
future government OF the two Islands.
Article ? DEGREES that the government OF
each island shall be composed OF an lnsu-
lar parliament, divided into two chambers
while a governor general, representing the
home government, will exercise IN us
name the supreme authority.
Article declares that the faculty OF
making laws on colonial affairs rests with
the insular chambers and the governor
Article declares that the insular rep
resontatiOn shall be composed or Two cor
poratiOns with equal powers, VIZ
chamber Of representatives and council
of administration.
Article provides that the council Of
administration shall consist OF thirty-lve
members, OF whom eighteen shall be elect
ed and seventeen be nominated by the
home government.
Article provides that the members or
the council Of administration must be
Standards at least thirty-iiVe years or
age who were born In the Island or VINO
have resided there continually Tor TOUR
years IL specifies numerous officials such
as senators, presidents OF courts ana
OF chambers Of commerce and other bod
les, as eligible TO election TO the council.
Articles ! 10 IA. inclusive, deals with
nominations and the conditions OF election
Article l5 empowers the Throne or the
governor general 10 cOnvoke suspend or
dissolve the chamber. with an oplgation
10 reassemble them within three months.
Articles l6 to 2S deal with the procedure
Of the chambers and grant immunity 20
members
Article 20 empowers the Insular Parlia.
ment 10 receive the Governor Oath ana
make effective the responsibility or the
secretaries forming the governors coun-
ell Secretaries may be mpeached by the
chambers, in which case they are 10 De
Judged By the council OF administration.
| Negotiations for treaties Of commerce are
70 be made by the home government win
the assistance OF the secretaries OF the
island
Article 80 confers upon Parliament the
imposing Of customs duties.
Article 40 deals with the commercial re-
lations OF the islands with the peninsula.
and provides that no import or export
tax may differentiate 10 the prejudice or
the productions Of either island or the
peninsula.
list will be formed of articles coming
from Spain direct. which will be granted
favorable treatment In regard TO similar
articles coming from abroad and the same
will be done for productions or the iflands
entering Spain. the dneren;ial duty IN no
case 10 exceed IS per cent.
The remainder OF the decree explains
the Governor Generals powers. He VIII
exercise supreme command, be responsiolc
for the preservation of order. have free
power TO nominate officials and his sec
retariate; ne will publish and execute
the laws and DEGREES international trea-
Pies and conventions. etc, and Will have
the power Of pardoning. suspending leg
,slative guarantees and ordering a state
OF selge, should circumstances require IT,.
ms LAuRADA RELSASEp.
WILMINGTON, DEL. Nov. 2I.-The q
steamer Laurada. which has been held
Nv tho United states Government on the
f,arPe that she had carried nlibuster-
ing expedition 20 Cuba. was released to-
| day. This step was taken by the Gov
| eminent after United States Senator
| Grey, counsel for the owners OF the YES
| sci had entered a bond OF 81 900 and paid
| 81 800 10 cover the costs. Thomas J.
| Nolan. Of Philadelphia. will enter the IA
| nous vessel IN the Klondvke trade.
NEW YORK, Nov. H.-Tomas Estrada
| Palma, the Cuban delegate in this city.
| speaking to-day on the terms OF the au-
tonomy decrees. said:
These propositions were scorned In
| advance OF their presentation. They can
receive no consideration now. With Cuba
| II Is as It has been since the war began,
and will be until 1t Observation-Disclosures
or death"