New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-28
PLAN FOR AUTONOMY FOR CUBA.
THE SPANISH GOVERNMENTS SCHEME EX



P1AI.sED BY SENIOR DE LONE
Washington Oct. 27-The Spanish Minister.
Soaor Dupuy de LONE. consented for the hrst time
to-day to speak concerning the policy Of autonomy
which the Spanish Government proposes to apply
70 Cuba This has been referred to in general
terms since the advent Of the Sagasta Ministry.
but authentic details have been lacking. Before
starting for New-York to-day. where the Minister
and his family will spend several weeks. Senor de
L6ine gave the processes through which autonomy
had passed. leading up to the present policy and
the general outline of the policy Itself.
Under the provisions OF the treaty OF Zanjon.
concluded in 1878 at the close of the last Cuban
disturbance. It was provided that Cuba was to
enjoy the same liberties those accorded 70 the
island OF Porto Rico. This island had the same
liberties as those of any province OF Spain. Tnis
brought the Autoromist party. so called. :nto ex-
istence. its essential principle being self-govern-
-nent FOR Cuba. and not treating Cuba as prov
.nce Of Spain. as was the system in Porto Rico
That party adopted PLATFORM and In lNS6 o.
sered complete programme Of autonomy for the
consideration OF the country. peaceful agitation
Of this autonomy programme was then begun In
1893 for the first time. Minister IN lADeral
Cabinet. Senor Maura. saw the mistaHe OF ,na'
system Of rule known as Assimilation. whch
treated Cuba as a Spanish province. and ne pre-
sen.ed plan Of reforms. This was strongly op-
posed. and after two years OF discussion II was
found impossible 10 pu; the plan throush the
cortes Then a compromise reform measure was
framed which ACKNOWLEDGED the personanV ol
Cuba AS separate body. but under the spanish
sag.
These reforms having been considered 'nsu'noie'''
account OF the state Of the island premier "a
novas proceeded 70 enlarge them greatly his plan
being however short OF absolute autonomy NO"
sehor Moret Minister Of the Colonies in the ne"
Cabinet fulfls the promise Of the Liberal parry
when n was in the minority. and proclslins -
tonoiny as 1, had always been demanceo 10y ~
Home Rule party Of Cuba. Under thlS po'lc9 "
Island W n have a system on the Lines OF those ~ ~
Canada or OF the American States. mainta.nlns ils
indIvdualtv in all internal affairs. and YET ret"'
Ing lis place as a part Of the federal system. a. a.
Will have vceroy or ;,cb ms that
OF kustrsla New-Zealand or Canada. Inc islathu
Will have lis own Legislature. chosen drectEs - us
the people, who VIII enjoy ~ Ctverno-Cen-
eral will choose his Ministry. cchslstlus u ,.aiy
Gent OF the Ministry and four Ineih9sii W-orts
Minister OF the Inter or. Minister 9l f,or ~ ~
Minister of Public Instruction ana A'ni"'oi "a
At the same time Cuba will have represenitau au0h t
In tho SDanish Cores well as her locaI ,erts o
lature The representatives TO the tortSs wiz 60
be elected by the people Of Cuba through un.Fc. sa
suffrage and Will not be selected by ,nc 4,ry Mi
he RESPONSIBLE 10 the Legisla ture ana nor - to
Governor General The subjects before VIZ 1v7iic
ature will include those OF taxatlo, admin
Instruction. and all matters OF te o,ss of ms
The departure Of senor De LONE and his faini,gg ig
ier New-Yor is said TO have no ,n lis FORMER
70 be entirely personal He gave up ms nshnSe,ts. r
holse and took new quarters in MassachusS sac ,oS
ave- The house Will not Ds resuE re.E,, .,fyce il Il
noa until Decembsr J. ana IN snend sne few weeks
IN EewYork. The Legation mas aiIsa": al A. " 4
moved 20 the Massachusetts absence
al the larger questions Of politics ana l''0s s'''''
Irecl to him.