The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-02-08
MOTH HEn SPAIN noyEs HER CHILD.
Leastwise She Says So in the Preamble to
Proposed Cuban Reforms.

Leastwise She Says So in the Preamble to
Proposed Cuban Reforms.
Washington, Feb. 1.-The Spanish le-
cation has received with the full alb
stract of the new reforms for Cuba and
Porto Rico the preamble of Senior Can
ovas announcing the terms Of the new
decree. This preamble expresses the
kindliest feelings toward the Cuban
Spain, is disposed, as she always has
been, to open her arms to them and TO
extend amnesty for past offences, and
declares that the application of the re-
forms only depends upon the lnsur-
gents.
Minister Dupuy de LONE, discussing
the scope of the reforms to-day, said,
In substance
The electoral reforms were not re-
ferred to at length in the decree of the
ministry as they will require the action
of the cortes / am informed, however,
that the government contemplates ex-
tending greatly the basis of the suf-
frage, but desires to do it in such a
way as to prevent undue influence be-
ing acquired by the illiterate portion of
| the population. 1t Is proposed to abol-
ish the requirement that man shall be
a taxpayer there in order to be a
voter.
THE recent law requires the payment
of taxes aggregating IS, except where
| the privilege of voting is extended to
the graduates of universities and other
members of the learned professions.
Any educational qualification which
may be suggested by the Cubans and
which seems reasonable and proper will
undoubtedly be adopted by the oortes
The subject must be regulated by that
body, but it is the serious intention Of
the Spanish government to adopt a
policy of electoral reform, which will
greatly broaden the existing basis of
suffrage and increase the number OF
Cubans who take part in the govern
ment of the island. Under the new law
any one may vote without regard to
the IS tax, provided he is not illiterate
1t is the purpose of the government to
snow the greatest generosity towards
insurgents who lay down their arms"
The reforms cannot be put in full
rofce until the sovereignty Of Spain is
acknowledged in all parts Of the island.
The government will not relax its mil
1tary activity in any degree if the in
surgents show disposition to continue
the contest. Spain has gone to the ut
| most limit Of her generosity to the
Cuban people, and has established a.
CNGta111 hxr xryt,t t1L - i1Ic =
after be governed in Cuba by it's resi-
dents, instead of being governed from
| Madrid
The tariff features Of the new decree
are very comprehensive In their scope
and mean great deal for the United
States as well as Cuba. The first col
| umn of the new tariff schedules, pro-
viding for revenue, will contain the
greatest number of items, leaving the
| list on which determinations are made
| in favor of Spain next exceeding 20
per cent of the value of the imports a
| comparatively short one. The duties
levied will be equal against all coun-
tries except Spain and American man
ufactures and exporters are likely to
appreciate the Importance of these
-
THE situation will be much more fav-
| orable to American trade than under
the reciprocity treaty of 1890. There
| We're in that treaty two schedules for
American goods, one of 25 per cent
and another of so per cent, but Spain
had the right to provide for the en-
| trance of her products free of duty,
thus giving her a marked advantage
over the United States. The Spanish
| West Indies are the best consumers Of
| United States products that you have
on this continent 1t will be necessary
for the home government to consult the
Cubans before reciprocity treaty is
| concluded.
"The new reforms provide that such
treaties may be suggested by the new
council of administration. The council
| of administration will not only contain
twenty-one members elected by the
| qualified voters of Cuban, but will con-
| tain Cubans among the other members
If they possess the qualifications to at
tain the position which entitle them to
seats.
1.-THE places are open to native Gu
| bans and Spaniards."