The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-10-05
CONSERVATIVES GAVE CUBANS
ONLY ADVISORY POWER.
AMNESTY TO BE GRANTED PRISONERS
The Line Of Home Rule to Follow that of
Australia and Canada, These Countries
Being Cited as Examples Of
Complete Autonomy.

14Cl III SkStius II Is DeHeFSu, VIII Ue
- granting Of amnesty to most, if not
MI. of the American prisoners held in
Cuba and the pardon of many Cubans
condemned to Imprisonment in the island
Of Ceuta. Pending the completion or
the Sagasta Cabinet there has been no
official intimation that such action would
BE taken, but it is said to be a natural
and necessary part Of the new Spanish.
policy involving the withdrawal of Gen
eral Weyler and the adoption of more
conciliatory plans. The Competitor
prisoners, it is expected, will be released
early and Miss Cisneros also.
Concerning pending claims, such as
that in the case of DIR. Ruiz, it is said
that a commission win be proposed to
deal with all claims arising during the
rebellion, and there are intimations that
steps toward the creation of such a COM
mission are now under way.
Although there is continued reticencel
at the State Department concerning
Spanish-Cuban affairs, it is understood
that the government has been informed
that Spain will offer autonomy to Cuba
similar to that enjoyed by Canada and
in administration circles the prevalent
opinion seems to be that, if full meas
ure of real autonomy is offered, it should
bc dCCepttu Uy Tile CuDdDS. Inc III
coming of the Sagasta Cabinet is well
coined by the administration which sew
eral weeks ago was apprehensiye Of
possible early disturbance of our friend
ly relations with Spain.
The statements attributed to the net
Premier that he would favor the larges
measure Of autonomy has directed at
tention to the past efforts toward au-
tonomy. Those offered by the Csaserva-
tive Cabinet and made known to the
United States through the Spanish mln-
ister, Dupuy De Lone, contemplates Il
council of administration, elected in part
by the Cubans, which was to have an
advisory power in shaping the affairs Of
the island. This plan has taken the
form OF Il gthy decree, which has
been already cited, although it has
never been put ii effect III Cnba owing
to the disturbed conditions. The objec-
ton found to this plan was that, while ii
was in name autonomy, it did not give
real home rule as the Cuban council was
not to be u legislative body with final
powers OF making laws but merely an
advisory council. In contrast with this
it is said that the Liberal plan of au-
tonomy. as desired by the Autonomist
party of Cuba, contemplates cononial
pdfiiulftHt OF ltSlSidLuTP NlIn UHdf DOW
ers of Iaw-making, save the usual pow
er of veto preserved in all forms of con-
stitutional government. This would be
on the lines of the home rule operating
In Australia and Canada, and the latter
countries were cited as examples OF
complete autonomy by the Spanish
statesman, Castelar,, when autonomy
was first suggested for the island. Such
measure of autonomy, it is said, would
command much support in Cuba among
the substantial elements there, including
the Aut0nOmist party. In this connec-
tion 1t is understood that the newly
chosen president of the insurgents.
MendeZ Cap0te, is a man of conserya-
tive tendencies and during visit to
Washington some months ago said to
have expressed views favorable to a
close Of hostilities on some fair basis Of
compromise.
THE NEW MINISTRY.
Madrid, Oct. 4.-1he new ministry is
constituted as follows:
Senior Sagasta, President of the Coun-
Gil OF Ministers.
Senior Gullon, Minister for Foreign AZ
fairs.
Senior Groizard, Minister of Justice.
Gen. Correa, Minister of War.
Admiral Bermejo, Minister Of Marine.
Senior Puigcerver, Minister of Finance.
Senior Capdepon, Minister of the In
terror.
Count Xiguena, Minister Of Public
Works.
Senior Moret, Minister for the Colonies
The Ministers, after an informal meet
ing, proceeded to the Palace and took the
oaths of office
CABINET CONSIDERED STRONG
Madrid, Oct 4.-1he Cabinet is re.
garded as fairly strong, although some
disappointment is felt that Senol
Gamazo, Senior Maura, Senator ArmijC
and others who had been looked upon as
probable members are not included.
1t is understood that Senor Maura
who was the author of the first Cuban
home rule bill, felt that he could not
act satisfactorily with Senior Moret
while Senior Gamazo, who is a relative
of Senior Maura, feared that his presence
might imply leaning toward the Maura
scheme of reforms.
Consequently Senor Sagasta was com
PEELED to take less prominent men.
SPAIN PREPARED TO FIGHT.