The record-union., 1897-02-04
The Cabinet Agrees Upon a Scheme 70 be
Submitted 10 the Queen Regent,
Who is Expected to Attach Her sigma
ture Thereto To-Day.
However, the Debate Upon Which the
Reforms Will be Carried Into
Effect is Dependent Upon the
Progress of the Military Opera
tionS i'm the Island.

MADRID, Feb. 3.-The Cabinet has
hnally agreed upon a scheme for Gu
ban reforms, which Will be submitted
70 the Queen Regent for signature to-
morrow. The text viii probably be ga
zetted Saturday The Council of state
VIII examine the programme for re-
forms after publication. The date upon
which the reforms will DE carried into
effect will depend upon the progress
of the military opera tons in Cuba.
The terms of the scheme proposed are
not fully known. but they are based
on the bill previously passed by the
Cortes, though more liberal conces-
sions viii be adopted
Spain, however. reserves the right Of
making commercial treaties with for
eign countries in behalf of Cuba. the
administration of which viii not BE- so
independent as has been stated in the
United States.
PREPARED PROGRAMME.
LONDON, Feb. "A dispatch to the
Times from Madrid says that the
scheme for reforms on the island OF
Cuba, which Will be submitted TO tha
Queen Regent for signature to-day.
contains a large number of elaborate
DEGREES, and viii occupy several pages
of the gazette
The correspondent of the Times" at
Madrid announces that he has been I'M
able to obtain Il copy of the proposed
programme for reforms, but that it is
understood the most important changes
consist of the creation of an assembly
10 be called the Council of AdminfStra-
ton. This assembly will be composed
of thirty-ffve members. Twenty-one Of
these members will be elected by the
people of Cuba, six will be elected by
the different corporations, and the re-
ma1nder viii be selected, one a magis-
trate, one a university professor, one
an Archbishop and five former Senators
or Deputies
This Council of Administration Will
be empowered, firstly, TO prepare the
budget; secondly, to examine into the
litne.F o. Ga~cials appointed; tllird!y,
to make z. tariff, subject to the condi-
ton that Spanish imports are to have
an advantage over the imports from
other countries.
The Governor General will represent
the Spanish Government, and will have
the right to nominate officers. which
resided two years in Cuba. Neverthe-
less, the men filling the office of Gov
ernor-General may exercise a wise dis
erection in the nomination of high func-
tionaries, such as magistrates, projects,
etc.
Other DEGREES concern the organiZa-
ton of the provincial municipalities,
which are to be literally representative
of the municipal council. They will be
generally empowered to elect their
Presidents. and will have exclusive
control of the matter of public educd-
ton
According to the decree the Govern
ment reserves to itself extraordinary
powers in event of any disturbance of
the public order III Cuba. Cuba Will
continue to elect Senators and Deputies
to the Spanish COrtes, as at the present
time.
Taken as a whole the new scheme Of
Cuban reforms is along lines of much
broader decentralization than We're
found in the plan of reforms granted
Porto Rico. The powers of the Gov
ernor-Genera1 are much more extended,
and while the Council will. it is said.
be fairly representative of all parties
and all interests, the Spanish Govern
ment will continue to vote budgets and
treaties for colonies.