The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-10-08
rHE EFFECT OK CUBA
OF ihe Change Of tho Spanish Ministry.
Americans and Many ban to be Liber
ated-FuIl Autonomy to be Granted Cuba

Washington, October 4-One result or
the formation of a Sagasts cabinet in
Spain. II is believed. win 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 CT the island Of Cueta.
Pending the completion Of the Sagasta
cabinet. there has beer no official inti-
nation that such action would be taken,
but IL is said to be a natural and neces-
sary part OF the new Spanish policy, in
yoiving the withdrawal OF General Wey-
Ter and the adoption Of more conciliatory
plans. The Competitor prisoners, IL IL
expected. will be released early. and Miss
Cesneros also
Concerning pending claims. such as
hat in the case Of DR.. Ruiz. IL Is said
that n commission probably viii be pro-
posed to deal with all claims arising
during the rebellion. and there are inti-
nations that steps toward the creation
OF such Il commission are now under
way.
Although there is continued reticence
at the state department concerning
Spanish Cuban affairs. II is understood
that the government has been Informed
hat Spain will offer autonomy to Cuba
similar TO that enjoyed by Canada, and
in administration circles the prevalent
III SNttGl w tt AAAaA IL " ANai fhNpE-
ure of autonomy Is offered. IL 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 friend
ly relations with Spain. The statement
attributed to the new premier that he
would favor the largest measure of au-
tonomy has directed attention TO the past
efforts toward autonomy. Those offered
by the conservative cabinet and made
known to the United States through the
Spanish minister contemplated n council
of administration, elected in part by the
Cubans. which was TO have an advisory
power in shaping the affairs of the island.
This plan has taken the form OF "A
engthy decree. which has been already
gazetted. although il has never been put
into effect in Cuba. owing to the dis
turbed conditions. The objection found
to this plan was that, while II was in
name autonomy, it did not give real
home rule. as the Cuban council was not
to be a legislative body with final pow
ers of making laws. but merely an advis-
is said that the liberal plan of autonomy
as desired by the autonomist party of
Cuba, ~contemplateS a colonial parliament
or one with final powers of law making.
in all forms of constitutional govern
ment. This would be on the line of the
rule operating in Australia and Canada,
and the latter countries were cited as
OF complete autonomy by the
Spanish statesman. Castelar,. when au-
tonomy was first suggested for the
island. such a measure of autonomy. ii
is said. would command much support
in Cuba among the substantial element
there, including the autonomist party.
In this connection it is understood that
the newly chosen president of the insur-
gents, Mendez Capote. is a man of con-
sentative tendencies, and during a visit
to Washington some months ago Is said
to have expressed views favorable to
a close of hostilities on some fair basis
Of compromise.