The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1897-12-06

was a preferential duty Of so per cent to
Spain Under the new law this Is cut down
to IS per cent Moreover, it should be I'M
derstood the preferential duties do not COW
err all the tariff schedules, as they did
when the United States and Canada had
a reciprocity treaty, but cover only a linn
tied number of articles. These articles
doubtless will be so chosen as not to affect
the trade between the United States and
Cuba, so that while Spain enjoys the pref
erence from her colony, 1t will not be
preference as against the United States.
When it was suggested to the minister
that among certain classes no plan OF
autonomy was acceptable he said:
Certainly! There irreconcilables on
both sides-Spanish irreconcilableS and Gu
ban irreconclables. But they are not the
ones to be considered. 1t is the people at
large and the material interests OF CUBA
that are to be considered The Cuban IRE
concilable says he will not accept this new
law He does not point out it's defects or
suggest remedies He simply declines 10
accept It, Such men are out OF court.
They are not open to argument or TeaSoh'
Spain Divi.es Debt with CUBA.
."rhero is another feature which should
he noted For the first time the govern
ment has said officially that Spain yin
assume a part of the debt OF CUBA nc
payment of this debt is to be arranged w
the cortes. but it is to be ON OASIS 50 l.
isfactory to both parties"
Recurring to the Legislative powers when
Cuba would enjoy, the minister was }skeo
If this was not qualified to some extent
by the right of approval reserved to the
governor general IN certain cases.
at will be found on examining the new
law" answered the minister. tnat ihe
governor general has the reserved rlfh'
only in three specific cases. while the gen
cral rule is that the laws go into tHect
without reserve Furthermore, these three
reservations are the same as those given
to the governor general Of Caniud. OF 10
any other colonial executive. MS VIII
be found by cX Examining the BrltiSh-A1hef-
can act of 1867 already referred 20. IN
short. there is nothing unusual in iheso
reservations in u few specific cases of
national character. but it is the universal
principle in the constitutional government
of colonies.
THAT honest investigation of tho new
law will show its broad scope and LIBERAL
provisions is shown by dispatch / nave
just received from a friend at M2drid'
continued the minister He states that
Mr.. GiberGa has a statement in The Ian
cral strongly approving The new Jaw. rms
Mr. G!berga is one of the most prominent
an autonom.st to the cortes. but declined,
owing to his hostility to the former gov
ernment Lately he has been in Paris.
and row gives this strong approval OF
the home rule law
The dispatch to the minister is as fol-
lows:
The Liberal prints a statement %! Gil
borga expressing his satisfaction in IN"
new rule and his confidence in its sue
cess. In the statement he makes a rcV.tW
of All the reforms. finds compla-e and
satisfactory the tariff .eform, Wht Sc pc.
rod of transition establish ID in the for
tieth art Gle. does not affect NE rrinr.rlc
of autonomous tariff. He says that all
these reforms commend Themselves TO in"
sympathy of every good utonomSt and
that no thinking person can doubt that
Cuba enters in new life of right and
dignity that assures to her political lib
crty and economical prOSperity.'