The herald., 1897-01-16

Havana, Is In this city on leave Of alb
sence from his post. He has had per-
sonal interview with Secretary Olney
and set out fully all that took place in
Havana during Gen. Lees absence
from that city, while he (Springer) act
ed as consul general and also the status
of affairs at the date Of his departure
for the United States. Mr. Springer was
also in conference today with Assistant
Secretary Rockhill. touching the condi-
tion of American citizens now in confine-
ment In Cuba, and the various claims
now before the state department pre-
ferred by persons who have suffered in
person or property from the war;
SPANISH PROMISES.
PARIS, Jan. 15.-A dispatch from
Madrid to the Temps referring to the
Cuban decree. says that later the Ques-
ton of reciprocity treaty with the
United States, more LIBERAL than the
convention of 1891 between Senior Can
ovas and Mr.. John w. Foster. will be
negotiated.
NOT UNDER COMPULSION.
LONDON. Jan. 15.-The Standards
Madrid correspondent with reference 10
the coming decree for Cuban reforms.
which he says the queen regent has COM
pletely approved, telegraphs as follows:
TT Is evident that the government
wishes to indicate that 1t has acted
spontaneously, even going beyond the
powers already voted by the cortes
which will have to grant a bill Of indem-
nifty for the new decree. The reforms
show how far Spain is prepared to SO
in decentralizing, without surrendering
any rights or prerogative of the home
government or the cortes. in which
Cuba and Porto Rico will have due rep
reservation.
1t will also be seen in the reform of
the tariff that Spain is disposed to make
sacrifices compatible with the needs of
the Cuban budget. More can hardly be
expected from a conservative cabinet,
and Spaniards will anxiousy wkatch
the efforts of this change of policy in the
new world"
The Standard says of this dispatch in
an editorial: THE plan owes its origin
to Senior Canovas. and it Is a foregone
conclusion that the council of state will
approve the reforms.
1t Is Spains only safe policy. She
incurs grave risk of rupture with the
United States by continuing the war.
She is right in refusing to quit her hold
of Cuba. If the insurgents are discon-
tented with the concession Spain is JUS
titled in the severe use of the sword.
"Senor Canovas has taken a courage
Gus line in Drawing a storm of popular
passion We hope there is enough COM
mon sense and loyalty in the country to
support him. The time could not have
been more wisely chosen. because there
is no appearance of yielding to Amer!-
can dictation."
A SMALL BATTLE
HAVANA, Jan. 15-At Canuo, near
Remedies, province of Santa Clara, on
January II, the column of troops COM
manded by General Solano was engaged
with an insurgent force. which left three
killad and a ~ tv Of a
tion on the field and retired with the
wounded. The Spaniards had a lieuten-
ant and two soldiers killed and captain
and fifteen soldiers wounded.
During a number of skirmishes in San
ia Clara. MatanZas and Pinar del Rio
recently the government troops have
destroyed many insurgent camps and
have burned large number of huts. The
insurgents left thirty men killed and
fourteen carbines on the scene of these
engagements and retired with their
wounded. The Spaniards had two men
killed and five wounded.
REVEREND OF MERIT.
HAVANA, Jan. 15.-It Is affirmed in
legal circles that Joaquin Vidal and
Magistrate Ricardo Maya of the tribun-
al which tried Julio Sanguilly and Luis
Someillan will be promoted respectively
to be president of the supreme court at
Rev. Samuel Payne. pastor of the Con-
gregational church, Sanford, Fla, has
writteiNiC United States Consul-General
Lee that he should look out for his son,
as he believes he has been captured IN
Cuba.
Authority has been given to commence
grinding cane in the province of Pinar
del Rio.
Gen. Weyler's edict of January 1 has
been still further extended SO as to ap-
ply to the province of Santa Clara.
THE REFORM SCHEME.
NEW YORK, Jan. IA Madrid
special to the World says: The queen
regent consented generally to the out
lines of the schemes for Cuban reforms
which Premier Canovas submitted to
her today at cabinet council over
which she presided.
In explaining his plans the premier in
formed the queen that he believed the
moment was fast approaching when it
would be possible and expedient to give
Cuba more extensive reforms than those
recently granted to Porto Rico.
The government had already drawn
up DEGREES which the minister of the
colonies will promulgate. They embody
all that can be done by the terms of the
law voted by the cortes. The council
of state will be consulted shortly con-
cerning another decree to be issued by
Premier Canovas himself to grant TO
both Cuba and Porto Rico still greater
concessions in the shape of self govern
ment. The cortes will be convoked to
ratify this act of which the executive
assumes the responsibility.
With view to promoting the pacifi-
cation of the West Indies general am
nesty for political and ordinary Of
tenders will be proclaimed on the little
kings saint day, January 2Sd, and the
Madrid newspapers believe the Cuban
reforms will be published early in Feb
.ruary, without awaiting the results Of
the military operations.
Tho government will not undertake
tariff reforms in the West Indies apart
from the political and administrative
concessions because the wishes of the
colonies in that regard clash seriously
with the Spanish trade interests. But
in order to secure the good will of the
United States the Spanish statesmen
certainly will oblige the protectionists
| to assent to the West INDIAN tariff re
| form and reciprocity treaty with the
United States afterwards.
A BOSTON BANQUET.
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