Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1897-10-09

WI The Granting OF Amnesty to Ameri.
frisoners the Terms that the Sa.
gs4ta Cabinet. 1t IN Believed. VIII Onet
fo& Cessation OF uostiiities in the Is
iapN Regarded Eavorably at Washing.
toa
WASHINGTON, Oct. 5.-One result OF
the formation Of Sagasta cabinet in
Spain, 1t is believed, will be the grant
ins ,of amnesty to most, if not all OF
The, American prisoners held in Cuba,
andthe pardon of many Cubans con-
ieiraed to Imprisonment in the island
of teuta. Pending the completion OF
the Sagasta cabinet there has been no
otliSal intimation that such action
wonld be taken, but it is said t, be a
natdfal and necessary part of the new
spanish policy involving the with
ifawal Of Gen. Weyler and the adop-
a8onlf re conciliatory plans, The
qtaletl Or prisoners, it is ex pected,
Essil be released early and Miss cisneros
also.
Concerning pending claims, such as
that in the case of DR.. Ruiz, it is said
that commission probably will be
proposed to deal with all claims aris.
ing during the rebellion and there are
intimations that steps toward the crea-
tion of such a commission are now un-
der way.
Although there is continued ret.
cence at the state department concern
ing Spanish-Cuban affairs, il is under
stood that tho government has been in
formed that Spain will offer autonomy
to Cuba similar to that enjoyed by
Canada, and in administration circles
the prevalent opinion seems to be that
il a full measure of real autonomy is
offered, it should be accepted by the
Cubans. The incoming of the Sagasta
cabinet is welcomed by the administers
tion which, several weeks ago, was
apprehensive of possible distur-
bance of our friendly relations with
Spain.
The statement attributed to the
new premier that he would favor the
largest measure of autonomy, has di-
rected attention TO the past efforts to-
ward autonomy. Those offered by the
conservative cabinet, and made known
to the United States through the Span,
lsh minister Dupuy de LONE, contom.
| plated council OF administration,
elected in part by the Cubans, which
was to have an advisory power in shap-
ing the affairs of the island. This plan
has taken the form Of a lengthy decree
which has been already gazetted, al
though it has never been put into eff
feet in Cuba, owing to the disturbed
conditions.
The objection found to this plan was
that, while it was in name autonomy,
it did not give real home rule, as the
Cuban council was not to be legisla-
tive body with final powers Of making
laws, but merely an advisory one. In
connection with this it is said that the
plan of autonomy, as desired by the
automonists of Cuba, contemplates q
colonial parliament or legislature with
final powers of law-malling, save
the usual power OF veto preserved
in all forms of constitutional govern.
/ ment This would be ON the lines OF
home rule operating in Australia and
Canada, and the latter countries were
cited as examples OF complete auton.
omy by the Spanish statesman, Ca,tel-
lar, when autonomy was first sug
gested for the island. Such a measure
OF autonomy, it is said, would com
mand much support in Cuba among the
substantial elemcnts there, including
the autonomist party
In this connection, it is understood
| that the new ly-chosen president of the
insurgents, Mendez Capote, is a man OF
conservative tendencies, and during a
visit to Washington, some months ago,
is said to have expressed views favora'
| bic to q close of hostilities on some
| fair basis of compromise.