The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-10-05
AMNESTY FOR AMERICANS.
Those in Cuban Prisons LIKELY to be
Released Soon.

Washington oct. 4.-One result Of the
formation of the Sagasta cabinet in Spain
it is believed will be the granting of am
ne5ty to most If not all the American
prisoners held in Cuba and the pardon Of
many CdbaNls coGdsmned 20 LIFE impris-
onmant in the island of Cueta- Pending
the formation of the SagaSta cabinet
CheFe has been no iUJimatiCn that SUCH
action would be taken. but ii IS sad %
be a natural and necessary part of the
ncW Spanish policy involving the with
1rdWaI Of General Weyler and the adOD-
ton of moro cOnciEat0Ty plans. Inc
Competitor prisoners, 1t is expected, VIII
be released early, and Miss CisNsros also.
Concerning pending Claims, such as fhat
in the case OF Dr. Ruiz vt IS SAD th4L a
commission probably VIII be proposed to
deal WITH all claims arising during the
rebellion, and there ara intimatlOuS that
steps toward the creation of E1ch a SJUn-
mission are now under WAY
SPANISH CUBAN AFFAIRS.
Although there is redeence at the state
department concerning. Spflnlsh-Cuban al
FAIRS, it is understood chat the govern
ment has been informed mat Spain Will
offer autonomy to cuba similar 70 that
enjoyed Ky Canada. and in administers
ton circles the prevalent opinion seems
TO be that if q fuN measure OF real au-
t0nomy is offered it should be accepted
by the CubdnS. The incoming OF the Sa-
CASA cabinet is welcomed by the admin
istrat40n, Which several weeks ago was
appnshensive of possible early disturb
ance OF our IEleNQlS T%IaiL4JAS WITH sSysilu-
The statement attributed 20 Ine new
premier, that he would favor the largest
measure OF autonomy. has directed dtteIl-
ton to the past efforts toward autonomy.
those offered by the Conservative cabinet
and made know ntO the United SteIteS
through the Spanish minister, Dupuy de
LONE, cont en- plated a council OF admins
tIation, 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 de-
cree, which mas been already gaZeuted, al
though it has never been put in effect in
CUBA owing TO the disturbed conditions.
| The objection offered To this plan was
that while il was in name autonomy. it
did not give real home rule, as the Cuban
council was not to be a legislative body
with final powers of making laws, but
merely an advisory council In contract
autonomy as desired by the autOnOmiSt
party of Cuba, couterDplates colonial par
lament or legislature with final powers OF
laW-making. save the usual power of We
to preserved in all forms of constitutional
governments. This would be on the lines
of the home rule operating in Australia
and Canada and the latter countries were
by the Spanish statesman, CASTELAR,, when
autonomy was first suggested for the isl
and. Such a measure of. autonomy, II Is
said would command much support in
Cuba among the substantial elements
there including the autOnOIniSt party. In
| this connection il is understood that the
newly chosen president of the insurgents
/ is a man of conservative tendencies, and
| during a visit 10 Washington some months
! ago is said to have expressed views favor
/ able TO a close of hostnities on some fair
| basis of compromise.