The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-23
AUTONoMIsIs TAKE A HAND.
Colonial Government Dealing With
Terms of Evacuation

VI
Washington, Sept. 22.-Accordlng to dis
patches from Havana received by one of
the embassies here, the colonial govern
ment of the island is taking a hand in
shaping the terms on which the evacua-
tion shall be expected. This, il is believed
here, may develop some new phases in the
situation in Cuba.
The colonlai government was established
by Spain shortly before the war broke out,
there being a cabinet of five officers at
Havana and a legislative body with two
houses. 1t carried out in measure the
long pending plan of giving Cuba home
rule by means of an autonomous govern
ment, but while in name autonomous 1t
was contended by the insurgent element
that genuine home rule was lacking and
that this colonial regime was a continuance
of Spanish domination.
1t appears, however, that these colonial
authorities are taking a very active part
In the present negotiations, and that there
is more or less cooperation between them
and the Spanish government. This creates
condition in which the United States
must deal not only with Spain, but with
those who claim to represent the island it.
self, free from Spanish control The colo
nial, or autonomist administration, is very
thoroughly organized and can exert much
influence. 1t established a regular legation
in Washington prior to the war with sew
eral prominent public men of Havana on
the staff. 1t numbers in its ranks much of
the wealth of Cuba and claims to stand
for the educated classes as against the in
surgents and illiterate. This makes two
distinct Cuban classes-the autonomists
who are cooperating with SPAIN and the
insurgents who are opposed to Spain.
1t now seems clear from the official as
well as the press reports from Havana
and Madrid, that the autonomists element
is taking up the claim first advanced by
Spain that many incidental questions as
to Cuba must be settled before the evacu-
alton begins. But the view among gov
ernment officials here is that the Cuban
autonomists as well as the Spaniards,
have no questions to advance or settle be-
fore evacuation is determined upon The
time and place of evacuation is looked up
on by the authorities here as the only
point involved, and there Is likely to he
a rude awakening if the pro-Spansh ele-
ment, either as autonomists, or as native
Spaniards, insist upon bringing in the de-
termination of the Cuban debt, future
forms of government rates of tariff for
Spain, and many other subjects, as a pre-
liminary to evacuation.
The American commissioners. according
to the understanding here, will insist on
a strict adherence TO the protocol for an
immediate evacuation of the island. and,
if need be, will submit an ulumatum
against taking up subsidiary questions en-
Cuba's future.
While the Cuban colonial government is
thus combining with the Spanish govern
ment in bringing forward these incidental
questions, yet the opinion was expressed
to-day by high diplomatic officer, based
on recent advices from Havana, that a Sc
rious issue would be averted, and that the
actual evacuation of the Spanish troops
from Cuba would begin within the next
month. But il appears that the evacua-
ton will cover much longer time than
has been anticipated There are some 100,
coo Spanish troops in the island Allowing
1000 men on a transport and a vessel leav
ing every day, it would take one hundred
days, or over three months for the eVac
uation But the vessels are not available
for a trip every day for one hundred con-
secutive days, so that the time of depart
ure will probably far exceed three months.