The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-01
WHAT SPAIN WILL GRANT.
The Kind of Autonomy She Will Give
to Cuba is Decided Upon.

Washington. Jan. 1.-The form of au-
tony which Spain is willing to grant to
Cuba was decided upon in Madrid yester-
day at a council of the ministry presided
over by the queen regent. The decree
still lacks the official Endorsement of the
cortes, but this, it is believed is easily
obtainable when conditions have reached
such a point that Spanish authorities be-
lieve the reforms can be introduced in
Cuba
This information reached the Spanish
legation last night and Minister de LONE
was authorized to make public the con-
cesSions agreed upon. These reforms re
to go into effect Immediately in Porto
Rico and are announced today in the de-
sire to promulgate them as a New Year 5
gift to the citizens of Porto Rico. These
same measures of@relief, it is said. will
pacification of the island is such that the
reforms can be brought about without
such revolt as would now be caused by
the insurgents.
Friends OF the Spanish legation here
state that these proposed reforms were
not brought about by the INTERPRETATION
tonight: The object of the reforms in
Cuba and Porto Rico is to transfer to the
powers which hitherto have been attri-
buted to the government officials in Mad
rid The reforms as announced state that
TINS council OF administration IS to be
composed, in the case OF Porto Rico, OF
six provincial assemblymen of the re-
gion in which the biennial election shall
take place and six counsellors appointed
by the supreme government. The cOun-
sellers appointed by the government must
be qualified as follows:
ITO be or to have been president of a
chamber of commerce, of the economic
society of friends of the country, or of
the division of the argiculturists.
ITO be or have been director of insti-
tute of San Juan or dean of the CORPORA
tons of lawyers of San Juan de Puerto
ITO be or to have been for four years
previously, one of the fifty principal tax
payers of the island.
ITO have been a senator or representa-
tive to the cortes in two or more legisla-
lures.
times president of the provincial assem- bly,
or two years mayor of San Juan de
Puerto Rico.
The council is to be elaborate on the
general estimates of expenditures and
revenue OF the lsland, upon the general
accounts with the finance department OF
the island; must present annually within
the six months following the end of the
financial year reports upon the removals
suspensions of the mayor aldermen,
and upon the provisions for legislative re-
forms that emanate from the provincial
assem- bly,; in accordance with the laws
and regulations must appropriate what
ever it may deem proper for the manage
ment in the whole island. of public works,
posts and telegraphs, railways and navi-
cation, agriculture. manufacturers. trade,
immigration and colonization, public in
StructiOn, charities and the health de-
partment and the powers inherent to the
sovereignty of the nation, which laws
| reserve to the supreme government.
The revenues for its appropriation
First the proceeds of lands and rents
that are the property of the province or
Oh the INSTITUTIONS whose manaSement
pertains to the provincial assembly; Sec
| ond, of the surcharges which the law may
authorize upon the taxes of the state,
| which are collected by the finance de-
partment of the island: and third. of the
| contributions it may demand from the
municipalities, the contributions being
apportioned among the municipalities in
proportion to their revenues.
1T shall be the duty of the governor
| general as supreme chief of the authori-
! ties of the island, to carry out the reso-
buttons of the council. Although the
budget for the island must be finally
| voted by the Spanish parliament, the
/ Antilles will have numerous and power
| full representation in the cortes, enjoying
/ in this respect great advantage over
| the English colonies