The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-01-01
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
The Form ofAutonomy Promised
to Porto Rico.
CUBA MAY TAKE ADVANTAaE0F IT

II the Insurgents Are willing to Rely
Upon Spanish Promises-A Provincial
Assembly Which Shall Enact Legislation
for Local Government.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-The form Of au-
tonomy which Spain Is willing togrant to
Cuba was decided upon in Madrid yester'
day at a council Of the ministers presided
over by the queen regent. The decree still
lacks the official Inducements OF the
cortss, but this, iti is believed, will be easily
obtRinabLe when conditions have reached
such point that the Spanish authorities
believe this reforms can be introduced in
Cuba without disturbance and turmoil
from any DISCONTINUED factions. This in
formation reached the Spanish legation
last night, and Minister de Lome was au-
thoriEsd to make public the concessions
agreed upon. These reforms are to go into
effect Immediately in Porto Rico and are
announced in the desire to promulgate
them as New Years gift to the citizens
of Porto Rico.
These same measures Of relief, Ii is said,
will be announced in Cuba so soon as the
qualification 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 rebellious portions of the island indi-
cate their willingness to accept the sys-
tenn of home rule suggested by Spain, and
cease the insurrection, that the reform
Immediately would go into effect. Though
the decree announced Is intended at pres
emit for Porto Rico alone, when they are
effected in Cuba they will be on an en-
largcd scale, and Porto Rico also will be
favored with the larger rights allowed
Cuba Friends of the Spanish legation
here state that these reforms were not
brought about by the intermediation Of
the United States. Senior do LONE said
today:
1.-The reform law was voted by the cortes
In February 1885. 1t was accepted then
by the Autonomist party, and received a
unanimous vote in the party. Among the
voters were such conspicuous Autonomists
as MentrO, Giberga, Labra, Ferry, Fer
pando and Gonzales. all Cubans The
leaders of the Autonomist party of Porto
Rico have been in 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 in the pamphlet entitled Span
ish Rule in Cuba
1.-The restrictions on the appointment
of councillors are not against the people,
but restriction of tho powers of the
government Nearly all the councillors
appointed by the crown are to be taken
from people that have received votes from
the electors or have been prominent in
the business community, or are among
the principal taxpayers Enrique Verona,
the member Of the New York junta, and
even people now in tho field, could be ap-
pointed councillor by the crowL, and Of
course elected
"The object of the reforms in Cuba and
Porto Rico is to transfer to the council of
administration of each island powers
which hitherto have been attributions Of
the government officials and exercised 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 nssemblymen of the region
| in whi2h the next biennial elections shall
take place and councillors appointed by
tho supreme government
.nThn councillors appointed nv the poy-
eminent must he oualified as follows: To
he or to have been. president of u cham.
| her of commerce If tbe Economic Society
If Frienls of the Country or the Associa-
| tion of Apricult1rists: director of the In
! stitute of San Juon M damn of the cornora-
tions of LAWYERS of Juan de Porto Rico;
Ia he. or to have for four wears previously,
one OF the nth principal taxpayers of the
| island; to have been u senator or repre-
sentative to tho cortes in two or more
legislatures; to have been elected two or
moro times president Of the provincial
assembly, or two years mayor of San Juan
de Porto Rico.
"The council is to deliberate upon the
general estimates of expenditures and rev.
enues Of these islands; upon the general
accounts which the finance department of
| the island must present annually within
tho six months following the end of tho
financial year; upon the removal or sus-
| pensions Of mayor or aldermen, and upon
the petitions for legislative reforms that
emanate from from the provincial assem-
| bly,.
1.-THE provincial assembly is to consist
of twelve assemblymen, six from each re-
IL, d.