The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-01
WHICH SPAIN WILL GRANT To
CUBA DECIDED UPON AT
MADRID.
C0RTES MUST GIVE CONSENT.
NO TROUBLE ANTICIPATED In Sc
CURING THE NECESSARY Of
FTCIAL ENDORSEMENT.
NEW YEARS GIFT TO PORTO RICO
Reforms to Go Into Effect In Cuba
as Soon the Island Is
Pacified.

WASHINGTON, Dec. S1-The form
Of autonomy which Spain is willing to
grant to Cuba was decided upon in
Madrid today at council Of the min
istry, presided over by the queen re-
gent. The decree still lacks the official
Endorsement Of the cortes, but this, 1t
Is believed, will be easily obtainable
when conditions have reached such a
point that the Spanish authorities be-
lieve the reforms can be introduced in
Cuba without disturbance and turmoil
from any discontinued factions.
This information reached the Span
ish legation tonight, and Minister de
LONE was authorized to make public
the concessions agreed upon. These
reforms are to go into effect imnedi-
ately in Porto Rico, and are announced
today in the desire to promulgate
them as New Years gift to the citi-
Zens Of Porto Rico. These same meas
ures Of relief, it Is said, will be an
nounced in Cuba SO soon as the pacif1-
cation Of the island is such that the
reforms can be brought about without
such revolt as would now be caused
by the insurgents.
1t Is claimed that, should the rebel
iOus portions Of the island Indicate
their willingness to accept the system
Of home rule suggested by Spain ani
cease the insurrection, the re-
forms Immediately would go into eff
feet. Though the decree Announced
tonight is intended at present for Porto
Rico alone, when the reforms are ef-
4ected in Cuba they will he on IN en-
large scale and Porto Rico also will
be favored with the larger rights al
lowed Cuba. Friends Of the Spanish
legation here state that these reforms
bxy no r1on6iQ-
ton Of the United States.
Senior de LONE said tonight:
The reform law was voted by the cortes
in February. 1895. 1t was accepted then by
nous vote in the cortes. Among the voters
were such conspicuous Autonomists as Mon
toro, Giberga, Labra, Ferry, Fernando and
Gonzales, all Cubans. The leaders Of the Au-
Madrid this winter, and the royal decree
entirely meets with their approval. What has
been printed as new plan of reform is
nothing but the law of 1895 published by the
Spanish legation in May last iii the pamphlet
entitled Spanish Rule in Cuba The restric-
lions on the appointment Of councillors are
not against the people, but a restriction CT
the powers Of the government. Nearly all
the councillors appointed by the crown are
to be taken from people thai have rcce:N ID
votes from the electors, or have been prom
inent in the business community, or are
among the principal taxpayers.
Enrique Varona, the member Of the New
YORK 1unta, ana, even people now IN the HELD,
could be appointed councillors by the crown,
and, of course, elected. The object Of the
reforms in Cuba and Porto Rico is to trans
fer to the council Of administration of each
island powers which hitherto have been at
tributes of the govrnment officials and eXer
cised in Madrid. The reforms, as announced,
state that this council Of administration Is
to be composed, in the case OF Porto Rico, Of
six provincial assemblymen of the region in
which the next biennial election shall take
place, and six councillors appointed by the
supreme government.
The council is to deliberate upon the general
estimates of expenditures and revenues of
the island, upon the general accounts which
the finance department of the island must
present annually within the six months fol-
lowing the end Of the financial year; upon
the removals or suspensions Of the mayor or
aldermen, and upon the petitions for legis-
lative reforms that emanate from the pro-
vincial assembly.
The provincial assembly shall resolve, in
accordance with the laws and regulations,
whatever it may deem proper for the man
agement in the whole island, OF public
works, posts and telegraphs, railways and
navigation, agriculture, manufactures, trade,
immigration and colonization, public instruc-
ton, charities and the health department,
without prejudice of the supervision and the
powers inherent to the sovereignty OF the
nation which the laws reserve to the SUI
prene government
The revenues for its appropriations shall
consist: First, Of the proceeds Of the lands
and rents that are the property of the prov
ince or Of the institutions, whose manage
ment pertains to the provincial assembly );
second, Of the surcharges, which the law may
authorize upon the taxes of the state, which
are collected by the finance department of the
island and third, of the contributions 1t may
demand from the municipalities, the contri-
buttons being apportioned among the munich
paltties in proportion to their revenues. 1t
shall be the duty Of the governor-general, as
supreme chief of the authorities Of the island,
to carry out the resolutions of the council.
Although the budget for the island must be
finally voted by the Spanish parliament, the
Antilles send a numerous and powerful rep
resentation to the cortes enjoying in this re-
spect great advantage over the English COLO
MES.