The record-union., 1897-02-10

claim, see absolutely no chance of
glory in Cuba and considerable danger
of disgrace, to say nothing of disease
and wounds.
AS this dispatch Is sent it is known
that the most prominent of the home
rulers here after consulting together
over the reforms projected for Cuba,
succeeded in sending cable dispatch
to the Madrid Government requesting
the latter toamplify the reform scheme,
adding that under its present form
there is absolutely no chance of its
meeting the wishes of the insurgent
leaders and bring about the pacifica-
ton of Cuba.
DR.. Caspar Betancourt, the Ameri-
lean dentist who was arrested on De-
cember 9TH as a political suspect, was
liberated last evening.
THE SPANISH REFORM DEGREES.
NEW YORK, Feb. "a dispatch to
the World" from Madrid says:
An unprecedented sensation has been
caused in Spain by the publication of
the reform DEGREES. The "Adroit' de
clares that declarations of Premier
Canovas, in his preamble, have awak
ened the great majority of Spains peo-
pie to the gravity of the situation, and
the necessity of the fulfillment of the
promises contained in the royal speech
the Minister'S statements and the re-
form law of 1895, as we'll as the expedi-
ency of settling the contest in Cuba in
harmony with public sentiment in
America and in Europe as well.
The preamble also shows the impos-
sibility of pacifying the West Indies
without home rule, through INSTALL
ments and the hOpelessness of winning
over all the insurgents even at that as
Senor Canovas admits that the present
struggle is war for independence
Critics Of the Government policy pub
licly asserts that they would have pro-
fered complete autonomy. The reform
policy is sure to bring on conflicts.
Though Senior Canovas has counseled
the Liberals to refrain from throwing
obstacles in the Governments way, the
party organs severely criticiSe the de-
creeS, insinuating that the Liberals
would further them if called to office.
Most of the newspapers, notably the
'Heraldo." the Impartial" the Carl
ist and the Republican papers try to
stir up the people against the new pol
/
that the test OF its success will be the
effect on Cuba and the United States
Most Spaniards are convinced that the
Government is confident of obtaining
the approval and support of President
Cleveland, Secretary of State Olney
and the American public The opinion
is general, too, that the policy cannot
succeed unless General WeyIer is
promptly recalled from Cuba.
Senior ArbazuZa, the author of the re-
form law of 1895, which Premier Cano-
vas proposes to amalgamate with his
own programme, and who was consult
ed before the DEGREES We're published
said in an interview
"Senor Canovas has adopted many of
my ideas, and also those of Senior Mau-
rasa, but he has developed them in a
very radical manner in the essential
features Of his programme, and in a
very conservative manner in other
points My plan was to harmonize
colonial ambitions with imperial inter
eSts, enlfsting in the support of pro-
gressive reforms all the elements likely
to work out colonial home rule without
playing into the hands of secession.
Undoubtedly Sonar Canovas' scheme
has good features, but everything de-
pends upon how the scheme is carried
out, and by whom. General Weyler'S
removal ought to be the first step. That
would prepare the way for a fair trial
of the new policy when the state Of the
colony would permit it. Under these
reforms it is easy TO see that the cOnsti-
tutional party in Cuba would be master
of the situation, unless the electoral
law is modified.
1T is hardly possible to guess the eff
feet on Cuba of the publication Of the
reforms, coupled with the postpone
mant of their execution. Persons most
competent to judge do not believe the
war will end soon''
The Cuban autonomist representa-
tives warmly denounce the DEGREES.
They are disappointed at Premier Can
ovas' silence on the electoral reform.
indispensable to make the new policy
acceptable, and Of the extraordinarily
elastic limitations upon the action of
the insular assembly and the councils
They object to the clauses giving to
the Governor General the Minister of
the Colonies and the Executive and the
Cortes the final decisions of the affairs,
treaties and all other really important
legislation
Strangely enough, the published re-
forms were most unfavorably received
by many of the Conservative West In
dian Senators and Deputies Yet they
knew that Premier Canovas had con-
suited and obtained the approval of
Romero, Roblado, Apetzeguia and 9th
ers and at their suggestion inserted at
the last hour restrictive clauses to re-
strain the Governor General, the Col
onial Minister, the Cabinet. and the
Ccrtes in almost all important matters.
especially political, commercial and fl
nancial affairs. Several of the most
influential find fault with the "exces-
sive powers" granted to the Council of
Administration, and prophesy that the
slightest electoral reform would be sure
to give the autonomists and separat-
lists control of the insular, provincial
and municipal councils.
REIGN OF TERROR BEGUN.
CINCINNATI, Feb. "a special to
the Commercial Tribune" from Jack
sonville, Fla, says:
An expedition landed in the southern
part of Pinal del Rio province last week
and brought on severe fight between
the Spanish coast guard and the Cuban
escort under Captain Petoris. The
Spaniards lost eighteen men and the
Cubans seven.
Fifteen men of Spanish patro! were
killed in Havana outskirts on Sunday
night. on the southwest side While
they were passing a large stone build
ing it was blown up, and twenty men
We're buried under it's ruins. Only five
were dug out alive. 1t is suspected to be
the beginning of the reign or terror
promised by Lieutenant Colonel Her.