The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-12-04

Summary of spanish DEGREES Reint-
ing 10 Cuba md Porto Rico.

ing Ia Cuba md Porto Rico.
Madrid, Nov. 29.-The Official Ca
zette publishes the royal decree grant
ing autonomy for Cuba and Porto Rico.
An outline follows:
Article / explains the principles OF the
future government OF the two Islands.
Article DEGREES that the government or
each island shall be composed OF an insular
parliament divided into two chambers.
while a Eovernor-general. representing the
home government, viii exercise in Its
name the supreme authority.
Article declares that the faculty OF max
ing laws on colonial Affairs rests with the
lnsular chambers and the governor-gen-
eral
Article directs that the insular repre-
sentatlon shall be composed OF two cor
poratlons with equal powers. viz: cham
Der OF representatives and a council or ad-
mlnistration.
Article provides that the council OF adj
mlnlstration shall consist OF 30 members,
of whom is shall be elected and II be nom-
mated by the home government
Article provides that the members OF
the council OF administration must be
spaniards. at least IS years OF age, who
were born In the island or who have re-
sided there continuously for four years.
II specifies numerous officials such as sem
ators. presidents OF courts and OF cham
bers OF commerce and other bodies as
eligible 10 election 10 the council
Articles 10 II inclusive deal with nom
nations and the conditions Of election to
councils
Article rs empowers the throne, or the
Northumberland 10 conVoke, suspend or
dissolve the chambers. with an obligation
10 reassemble them within three months.
Articles iG 10 q deal with the procedure
OF the chambers and grant Immunity to
members.
Article % empowers the insular parlia-
mcnt 20 receive tho governors oath ana
make effective the responsibility OF the
secretaries forming the governors council
Secretaries may be impeached by the
chambers. I'm which case they are 10 DO
Judged by the council OF administration
Negotiations for treaties OF commerce
are 10 be made by the home government,
with the assistance OF the secretaries or
the island
Article 30 confers upon parliament the
imposing Of customs duties.
Article 40 deals with tho commercial rela-
lions of the islands with the peninsula ana
provides that no import or export tax may
differ to the prejudice Of the productions
OF either island or the peninsula. list
VIII be formed OF articles coming from
Spain direct. which will be granted favor
able treatment IN regard TO similar articles
coming from abroad, and the same viii bo
done for productions Of the Islands en-
terlng Spain, the dinerential duty IN no case
to exceed 80 per cont.
The remainder OF the decree explains the
governor-generar powers lie viii eXer-
else supreme command, be responsible Tor
the preservation OF order. have free power
TO nominate officials. and his secretaries
he will publish and execute the laws anc
DEGREES. international treaties and con
ventions, etc, and win have the power oil
pardoning, suspendlng constitutional guar
untces and ordering state OF siege shoul1
circumstances require II.
Washington. Nov. 29.-Spain's latest
scheme for autonomy for Cuba is not
well received in Washington. The pub
lication made in the Official Gazette OF
Madrid, containing n summary OF tho
ROYAL DEGREES, has produced most un
favorable impression here. Careful eN
animation of the scheme discloscs tina
string is attached TO every pretended
concession to Cuba. and leadsinevitably
10 the conclusion that the Spanish
statesmen are at their old tricks o
throwing dust into the eyes OF thu
world in general, and OF the people o
the United States in particular. 1t j.
already apparent that Spain is not abb
TO deceive anyone with these DEGREES
The Cubans say they will have none o
such autonomy, which is at best n mer
sham, leaving everything Of impor
lance subject 90 the control OF Spain.