Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-01-09
SPANISH REFORMS.
Concessions Granted 10 Porto Rico
Not Satisfactory.
sELF.GOyEINMENr NOT INTENDED.
1hs Relations Between spain aud Her
Colonies and the United States
More Clearly Understood.

NEW York, Jan. "a special to
to the World from MaIrid says:
The decisive stage is rapidly APP
preaching for asosttaining the real
drifts in the relations between Spain
and her West Indian colonies, and
between Spain ana the United States.
The issue now rests entirely with
the Madrid government, as all Aspects
aud the eventualities OF the question
have been kindly, iconsideratejy, fully
and frankly laid before the duke OF
Tetuan and Premier Csnovss, very
lately. 1t is no secret IN political and
diplomatic circles in Madrid that the
American government cannot accept
the reforms decreed for Porto Rico.
But the United States executive might
induce Congress AMI public opinion n
the United States to take them az a
definite form Of what Spain intends to
place on record a. her II al conces.
Fions for the settlement of the Cuban
question.
People outsideloi Spain jumped at the
erroneous conclusion that tae Madrid
government was on the high road to
granting to the West Indian colonies
selfgovernment, similar to that Of
Canada and Australia. Nothing Of
the kind was ever intended, either by
the present government or by any
Spanish political party.
Premier Capovas only expressed the
sentiment Of the ma jority Of the span.
inrdr, when he SAID recently that
Spain could never 60 so far in her col.
onial reforms az to tablish Cana
uian regime. Autonomy in the Eng.
lish eense of the word was not ON.
tenn plated by Senior Sagasta az PREMIER,
and Senor AbArseua us colonial m mis-
ter, when they requested and ex.
planned the assent OF all the Spanish
parties in January, 1896. 10 the famous
bill which Premier CHnovaa aud his
minister for the colonies made use OF
In Issuing on New Year day In 1897.
DEGREES Ieorganiziu. and increasing
the powers OF the governor and grant
ing only administrative, municipal
snd provincial reforms in Porto Rico.
In fact under the DEGREES the munici.
pal aud provincial councils there will
be organized on much the same lines
rs the Spanish provincial ncils
and municipalities with about the
came control over purely local matters
and over that part Of the revenues from
taxation destined for public works,
education and strictly local ndminisira.
ton, sui, ject TO the supervision and
'he veto the superior authorities and
the governor appointed by Spain. The
majority OF the insuier council are to
be composed Of nominees OF the crown.
The minority Is 10 be- elective. This
council Ia not intended TO be In any
way q legislative body but IN assembly
which will be- consulted in well de-
fined cases and may express wishes or
opinions not at all binding ON the
government. The insular council is
not u parliament but consulting as.
Bembly, with limited control over the
acts OF the provincial and municiual
councils.
Porto Rico will continue to be
represented in the Spanish cories by
two senators aud twelve deputies
elected in the island by every restricted
franchise.
Tbs imperial parliament will con-
tinue to uiscuss and Vote legislation
budgets nnc tariff for tue West Indios
drawn up and presented by the min
lister for the colonies. A II branches Of
the civil service and customs Will con-
tinue to be- recruited IN the mother
country. The army, navy anu police
will remain in the hands OF the i'm.
perial government and the governor
Will have full control OF The local
militia and the volunteers.
The imperial parliament, above all.
Will retain power to regulate the trade
and tariffs OF the colonies whose
treaties Of commerce will bs negotiated
by the Madrid government.