Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-16
FURTHER REFORMS FOR CUBA
Queen Regent of Spain Assents to Her
Premier's Suggestions.
SCHEME TO BE PUBLISHED NEXT WEEK
Among Future Possibilities for Island
liz II Protective Tnrin Measure
with u RcciprocitS Treaty
with United states.

Copyright 1897. by Press Publishing CompanyD
MADRID, Jan. 15.-(New York World
Cablegram-Special Telegram)-The queen
regent assentel gladly to the general out
limos of a scheme OF Cuban reforms which
Premier Canovas submitted to her today at
cabinet council over which che presided.
In explaining his plans the premier informed
tho queen that he believes the moment Is
fast approaching when 1t will be possible
and expedient 10 give Cuba more extensive
reforms than those recently granted to
Porto Rico.
The government has already drawn up
decrees which the minister of the colonies
will promulgate They embrace all that can
be done within the term OF the law voted by
the Cortes.
The council of state will be consulted
shortly concerning 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
government The CoItes will be conyoked
to ratify this act OF which the executive
assumes the responsibility.
With view to promoting the pacifcation
Of the West Indies general amnesty for the
Political press and ordinary offenders will
be proclaimed on the little kings saint day,
January %. and the Madrid newspapers be-
lieve the Cuban reforms Will be published
early in February without awaiting the re-
suits OF the military operations which Gem
eral Weyer Is now pushing most actively.
gather from the press and from political
circles that the government Will undertake
tariff reforms in the West Indies apart
from the political and administrative con-
cessions because the wishes Of the colonies
in that regard clash seriously with the Span
ish trade and manufacturing interests. But
in order to the good VIII of the
United States the Sepanish statesmen GER
tainy will oblige the protectiontsts to as
sent to West Indian tariff reform and a
reciprocity treaty with the United States
aiterward. The government Is obliged to
approach the reforming of the colonial tariff
cautiously on account OF considerations Of
home politics and also because a change in
the commercial regime naturally will affect
the revenue Of the Cuban treasury, which
is chiefly derived from customs.
The Spanish government firmly insists
upon the principle said to have been empha-
sized recently by the duke Of Tetuan in his
declaration to Secretary Olney that Spain
cannot admit the right of any foreign power,
however friendly, to enter uninvited into a
discussion of Cuban reforms Nevertheless,
/ learn upon trustworthy authority that
while carefully guarding the legal rights, the
Spanish government 10 much inclined, in ap-
probation OF the friendly attitude of Presi-
dent Cleveland and Secretary O!ney, to en-
ter into an informal discussion of what
should be done to secure peace.
The problem now being studied by the
two governments Is how to make the insular
councils o. administration as much as pcs
sible like the American Legislature with
out trenching upon the legislative jurisdic-
ton OF the imperial parliament and leaving
untouched all the powers and control of
executive and It's representatives in the
colonies. The Spanish government Is dis
posed to expand municipal administrative
authority and provincial self-government, but
not to grant to the colonies control over or
the initiative in taxation, finance or tariff,
except through their representatives in the
imperial parliament. But 1t Is willing to
allow the insllar councils TO express opiniors
On these matters, and to give them the right
OF petition to the executive for any mo1-
fcatiCn deemed eXpediCnt.