The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-05
Senior Sagnstn, Ut Is Thought, Will
Give Autonomy to Cubans and Re-
lease American Prisoners.
NAMES OF NEW MINISTERS
THE SPANISH CABINET COMPLETE
AND READY FOR WORK.
BeIIicOse Utterances of One of the
Members, Who Probably Does Not
Speak for the Premier.
nec,aI TO the IndIanapolis journal.

Special TO the Indianapolis journal.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 4.-The press dis
patches from Madrid and confirmatory adj
vices which the State Department has re-
ceived from official sources give great sat
isfaction to the administration. 1t is clear
from this correspondence that a very much
better feeling exists at the seat of the
Spanish government towards this country
and Cuba than was possible while the irrec-
oncilable Conservatives were in power. Sa-
gasta has made it clear that the Liberal
policy will not be in approval of a continu-
ton of wholesale human butchery as
means of pacifying Cuba, and of bringing
erring Cubans back into full family fellow
ship. The administration looks with COM
placency on the latest developments and
sees in the no distant future reward for
the patience and forbearance which has
distinguished it's treatment of the very deli
cate and dangerous Cuban problem. The
fear of a rupture with Spain has been the
only cloud On the horizon of the business
world and the only possible obstacle in the
path of returning prosperity. With it's dis
appearance those who have large enterprises
in hand will be free to go ahead, and in
their train there will follow, in the opinion
of the experts of finance, a rush of general
activities.
One result of the formation of a Sagasta
Cabinet in Spain, it is believed, will 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 to the island of Ceuta- Pend
ing the completion of the Sagasta Cabinet
there has been no official information that
such action will be taken, but it is said to
be a natural and necessary part of the new
Spanish policy involving the withdrawal of
General Weyler and the adoption of more
conciiatory plans. The Competitor prison.
ers, it is expected, will be released early
and Miss Cisneros also. Concerning pending
claims such as that in the case of DR.. Ruiz,
it is said that a commission probably will
be proposed to deal with all claims arising
during the rebellion, and there are intima-
tons that steps towards the creation of
such commission are now under way.
Although there is continued reticence at
the State Department concerning Spanish
Cuban affairs, it is understood that the
government has been informed that Spain
will offer autonomy to Cuba similar to that
enjoyed by Canada, and in administration
circles the prevalent opinion seems to be
that If full measure of real autonomy is
offered it should be accepted by the Gu
bans. The incoming of the Sagasta Cabinet
Is welcomed by the admins trdtlon, which
several weeks ago was apprehenSlve OF a
possible early disturbance OF our friendly
relations with Spain.
The statement attributed to the new
premier that he would favor the largest
measure of autonomy has directed atten-
ton to the past efforts toward autonomy.
Those offered by the Conservative Cabinet,
and made known to the United States
through the Spanish minister, Dupuy de
LONE, contemplated a council of admins
tration, 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 lengthy decree,
which has been already gazetted, although
1t has never been put into effect in Cuba,
owing to the disturbed conditions. The OBJ
lection 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 a legislative body, with final pow
ers of making laws but merely an advisory
council. In contrast with this it is said
that the Liberal plan of autonomy, de-
sired by the autonomist party of Cuba, con-
templates a colonial parliament or legisla-
ture, with final powers of lawmaking, save
the usual power of veto preserved in all
forms of constitutional government. This
would be on the lines of the home rule Oper-
ating in Austria and Canada, and the latter
countries were cited as examples OF COM
plete autonomy by the Spanish statesman,
CASTELAR,, when autonomy was first Sug
gested for the island. Such a measure of
support in Cuba among the substantial ele-
mentS there, including the autonomist party.
In this connection it is understood that the
newly chosen President of the insurgents,
Mendez Capote, is a man OF conservative
tendencies, and during visit to Washing
ton some months ago is said to have ex-
pressed views favorable to q close of hos
tilities on some fair basis of compromise.