New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-07

ure Of right and duty, the Executive will
take It.
Intervention upon humanitarian grounds has
been frequently suggested. and has not failed to
receive my most anxious and earnest con-
slderation. But should such step be now
taken. when 1t Is apparent that hopeful change
has supervened in the policy Of Spain toward
Cuba? new government has taken Office in
the mother country. 1t is pledged in advance
to the declaration that all the effort in the world
cannot suffice to maintain peace in Cuba by the
bayonet; that vague promises Of reform after
subjugation afford no solution Of the insular
problem; that with a substitution Of command
ers must come change Of the past sys-
tenn Of warfare for one in harmony with a new
policy which shall no longer aim to drive the
Cubans to the horrible alternative Of taking to
the thcket or succumbing in misery; that re-
forms must be instituted in accordance with the
needs and circumstances Of the time. and that
these reforms. while designed to give full au-
tonomy to the colony and 70 create virtual
entity and self-controlled administration. shall
yet conserve and affirm the sovereignty Of Spain
by just distribution Of powers and burdens
upon basis Of mutual interest untainted by
methods Of selfish expediency.
The first acts Of the new Government lie In
the honorable paths. The policy Of cruel rapine
and determination that so long shocked the
universal, sentiment Of humanity has been re-
versed Under the new military commander
broader clemency Is proffered. Measures nave
already been set on foot to relieve the horrors
Of starvation. The power Of the Spanish armies,
1t is asserted, is to be used not to spread ruin
and desoation but to protect the resumption OF
peaceful agricultural pursuits and productive In
thndo
a peace by subjugation is freely admitted. and
that ruin without Cancellation must ineVitaoiy
fail to win for Spain the fidelity Of contented
dependency.
THE REFORMS IN CUBA BEGUN
DEGREES in application Of the foreshadowed re-
forms have already been promulgated. Inc tuii
text OF these DEGREES has not been received, OUT
as furnished in a teegraphic summary from our
Minister are: All civil and electoral rights OF
peninsular Spaniards are. In virtue OF existing
constitutional authority. forthwith extenoed 10
colonial Spaniards. A scheme OF autonomy mas
been proclaimed by decree, to become enectVe
upon ratification by the Cortes. II creates
Cuban parliament. which. with the lnsuiar eA-
ecutive. can consider and vote upon all subjects
affecting local order and interests, possessing
unlimited powers save as to matters OF STATE
war and the navy, as to which the Ho'erno'
General acts by his own authority as the oeie-
gate OF the central government. This parma
ment receives the oath Of the Governor-General
to preserve faithfully the liberties and privileges
~ the colony. and to it the colonial secretaries
are responsible 1t has the right to propose 10
the central government. through the Governor
General. notifications Of the national charter'
and to invite new projects of law or executive
~ he
Besides its local powers. it Is competent. hrst,
IN rsyu,ate electoral registration and procedure
and prescribe the qualifications Of electors and
tho manner Of exercising suffrage; second to or
ganize courts Of justice with native judges from
members OF the locol bar; third. to frame the
insular budget. both as to expenditures and
revenues without Limitation Of any kind. and
to set apart the revenues to meet the CUBAN
share of the national budget. which latter VIII
be voted by the national Cortes, with the as
distance of Cuban Senators and Deputies;
fourth. to initiate or take part In the negotia-
tions OF the national Government for CONNER
cial treaties which may affect Cuban interests;
afth to ACCEPT or reject commercial treaties
which the national Government may have con-
cluded without the participation OF the CUBAN
government; sixth, to frame the colonial tarll'
acting In accord with the peninsular Govern
ment I'm scheduling articles OF mutual COM
merce between the mother country ana the
colonies. Before introducing or voting upon a
hill the Cuban government or the chambers
will Law the project before the central Govern
ment and hear its opinion thereon. all the cor
respondence In such regard being made public
Finally, all conflicts Of jurisdiction arising be-
tween the different municipal. provincial and
lnsular assemblies. or between the latter and
the insular executive power. and which from
their nature may not be referable TO the central
Government for decision, shall be submitted to
the courts
SPANS PROFESSIONS SINCERE.
That the Government Of Sagasta has entered
upon a course from which recession with honor
is impossible can hardly be questioned; that in
the few weeks it has existed 1t has made ear
nest of the sincerity OF its professions is unde-
niable I shall not impugn its sincerity, nor
should Impotence be suffered to embarrass II
in the task IL has undertaken. 1t Is honestly
due to Spain and to our friendly relations with
Spain that she should be given a reasonable
chance to realize her expectations. and to prove
the asserted efficacy Of the new order OF things.
to which she stards irrevocably committed.
She has recalled the commander whose brutal
orders infiamed the American mind and shocked
the civilized world. She has modified the hor-
rible order Of concentration and has undertaken
to care for the helpless and permit those who
desire to resume the cultivation Of their fields
to do so. and assures them the protection OF the
Spanish Government in their lawful occupa-
TONS She has just released the Competitor
prisoners, heretofore sentenced to DEATH and
who have been the subject Of repeated diplo-
matte correspondence during both this and the
preceding Administration.
NO AMERICANS IN ARREST NOW.
Not single American citizen is now in arrest
or confinement in Cuba of whom this Govern
ment has any knowledge The near future Will
demonstrate whether the Indispensable cordi-
ton OF righteous peace. just alike TO the
Cubans and to SPAIN as we'll as equitable to all
our interests so intimately involved in the well
fare Of Cuba, is likely to be attained II not