The herald., 1897-02-09
NO COLONY IN THE WORLD
Will Hereafter Enjoy Larger Measure
OF Liberty
The Date ofExecutiou Depends Upsn S2ain.s
Ability to Paclfy tire Island.
Reporter Scovei's Case
Associated Press Special Wire

oped," said Senor Dupuy de Iona, the
Spanish minister, last night.
The minister had before him the full
project for the reformation of the sys-
tenn of government for Cuba as gazetted
in Madrid yesterday and had made an
analysis of the document. with the re-
suit that he arrived at the conclusions
indicated above. Senior Dupuy de LONE
also gave out the preamble to the pro-
posed scheme of Cuban reforms.
1t records the political history of the
resurrection, which, from its very be-
ginning, 1t says, had a secessionist char
acter. One of the causes of the insur-
rection has been false ideas of Spain 5
weakness which the insurgents thought
would prevent her from subduing it,,
ard another was a distrust of being
able to achieve administrative auton-
omy by peaceful means.
The preamble says The war with all its
terrors has been rich in severe lessons,
showing that in the end peaceful and
constant progress is preferable to Nio-
lent triumph by WhomsoeVer obtained.
1t says in several paragraphs that al
though Spain has been obliged to dsiay
the application of ample reforms in the
administrative IHSlint, SlAS mas ilCNSt
abandoned the idea of establishing re-
forms nor has she failed TO recognize the
necessity of charging them in form
that will satisfy both Spanish and Gu
ans, giving to the island an administra-
tive and economical personality OF To-
cal character. which will make explicit
the total powers of the country to gov
ern its own affairs. although maintain
ing intact the right of sovereignty and
40 nd a hln conditions for its
maintenance. Spain has wished to sat
isfy the need that Cuba feels of expert
menting with what the English call self
government which in spain is termed
large decentralization ard which Will
give to the country the greater part of
the administration of its own affairs.
and will lay upon it the responsibility of
its doings.
This document also recalls the promise
made in the speech from the throne, and
in that Of the president Of the council
in the house of deputies. and al the same
time it assures the loyal fulfillment of
those reforms by all the governments
that can rule Spain and as a warrant
also of the loyalty of the actual gov
eminent it cites the history of its pres
ident who was the first to take meas
ures for the suppression of the slave
trade and who, thirty years ago, called
to Madrid an assembly of delegates or
the Spanish West Indies to modify in
those islands the administrative re-
gime and to suppress slavery. ard who
introduced in Cuba soon after the capt.
ulation of Sanjon, the political rights of
the constitution, and who, on March l9,
1895, aided the voting by the cortes of the
reform laws.
The preamble continues, stating that
with the present decree the government
will have completed what Spain has to
DO to hasten the termination of the pres
ent misfortune of Cuba. The material
application of the reforms only depends
on the insurgents. If convinced of this
futility of their attempts they should
grieve over the ruin and desolation of
their native land, then it is time for
their mother, Spain. to show her Gener-
Csity, as she always is disposed to open
her arms to them. 1t further says that
ii the insurgents should not duly appre-
ciate these conditions the actual govern
ment will not cease TO maintain lne war
in Cuba with the same energy as it has
done up to the present time. The govern
ment, it says. takes the responsibility
of assuming the functions of the legisla-
tive power and announces that il will
ask the Cortes for bill of indemnity
1t also says that the only point reserved
for the further resolution Of parlia
ment will be the dissemination OF the
imperial expenses. the organization of
the judiciary and the electrical reform.
This important document ends with
the following paragraph:
The government has not sufficient mo-
tive to judge if the time before the ap-
plication of reforms in Cuba and Porto
Rico will be short or long, although all
the news is satisfactory and the forecast
of the incoming peace general.
But whatever the conditions may be
tha i,l I,
pared to apply them without the slight
est delay when the opportunity shall az
rive, and for that the advice OF the cOun-
Gil of state will be urgently sought not
withstanding that the government will
not apply the decree until the indispen-
sable conditions favorable for the peace
that Spain desires and will never cease
to desire, and that the civilized world
hopes for shall arrive.
SCOVEL'S CASE.
HAVANA, Feb. S.-General Lee visit
ed General Ahumada, acting captain
general during the absence of General
Weyler this afternoon, on behalf of Syl-
Vester ScoVel the war correspondent of
the New York World, recently arrested
by Spanish guerillas near Tunas, in the
southern part of the province of Santa
Clara, General Ahumada, referring to
the case, said Scovel had been transfer
Ieu u odHctl SpllIus. he announced
that Scovel had been turned over to the
civil authorities, and that he would be
tried according to the treaty between the
United States and Spain.
Spanish troops, during q number Of
skirmishes recently in the provinces Of
Pinar del iRo, Havana and Matanzas
have captured eight insurgent camps
and have destroyed eighty huts The
enemy in these engagements left 20
killed. The well known insurgent lead
or, Jose Manuel Delgado, has been killed
in skirnish at Jover.
THE DAUNTLEsS DETAINED
JACKSONVILLE, Fla, Feb. 8.-The
steamer Dauntless made active prepa-
ration5 to leave port this evening, pre-
fumdbly on hlibustering expeditions
Tho captain expected to slip down the
river ana pass the revenue cutter Bout
we'll but was detained by Capt hilgore,
VINO learned OF the movements of the
Dauntless. Capt. Meyers Of the Dauut-
less was unable to give a satisfactory
explanation of his movements and the
boats papers We're taken by Cant. Kill
gore.
w ". Bisbee, owner Of the Da1,ntIase
protested at the detention of The boot
aEd threatened to leave port at any cost
captain Kilgore said he had the n7ears
TO detaln the boat and he should Use
then Il Necessary under orders from
Washington. Two OF the cutters's Off
GERS were placed on board the Dauntless
and it remains tied at its wharf.
BRUTAL WARFARE
CINCINNATI, O., Feb. S-A snecia,