Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-09-29
SPANISH EVACUATION.
The Autonomist Government OF
Cuba Endeavoring to Make
Itself a Factor.
WAS oasAHlzED JUST BEFORE THE WAR.
II h Trying to Play Into the Hands Of
Spain by Advancing Questions for Con-
alteration In Advance of Evacuation
There Is Likely to be Sharp Awaken
Ing Very Shortly.

Washington, Sept. 23.-Official dis
patches received by one of the embas-
sizes here from Havana confirm the re-
port that colonial government is TAX
ing hand in shaping the terms ON
which the evacuation shall be exc
cuted.
This, it is believed here, may develop
some new phases in the situation in
Cuba.
The Colonial Government Organized by
spain.
The colonial government was estab-
lished 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 a measure the long-pending plan
of giving Cuba home rule by means of
an autonomous government, but willie
IN name autonomous, it was commended
by the insurgent element that genu-
ine home rule was lacking, and that
this colonial regime was a continu-
.ance of Spanish domination 1t ap-
pears, however, that these colonial au-
thorities are taking a very active part
in the present negotiations, and that
tween them and the Spanish govern
mcnt. This creates condition in
which the United States must deal not
only with Spain, but with those who
claim to represent the island itself,
free from Spanish control.
The Colonial Autonomists Thoroughly
Organized.
The colonial or autonomist admins.
= A. Ill
and can exert much influence. 1t es-
tahlished a regular legation in Wash
rington prior to the war, with several
prominent. public men of Havana on
the staff. 1t numbers IL its ranks
much of the wealth of Cuba, and
claims to stand for the educated
classes against the insurgents and IL
literates. This makes two distinct
Cuban classes: The autobomists, who
are cooperating with Spain, and the
insurgents, who are opposed to Spain.
The Autonomist Element Taking Up
Claims First Advanced by Spain.
1t now seems clear, from the official
as well as the press reports from Ha-
-vana and Madrid, that the autonomist
element is taking up the claim first
advanced by Spain that many inciden-
tai questions as to Cuba must be set
tied before the evacuation begins.
But the view among government Off
f. Gals here is that the Cuban antono-
mists, as well as Spaniards, have no
= questions to advance or settle before
evacuation is determined upon. The
. time and place of evacuat:cn is looked
upon by the authorities here as the
only point involved, and there is likely
to be rude awakening if the pro-
. Spanish element, either as autono-
mists or as native Spaniards, insists
upon bringing in the determination of
the Cuban debt, future forms of gov
eminent, rates of tariff for Spain and
many other subjects as a preliminary
TO evacuation. The American commits
psioners, according to the understand
ling here, will insist on strict adher-
ence to the protocol for an immediate
evacuation of the island, and, if need
be, will submit an uItimatum against
taking up subsidiary questions on
Cuba's future.
Cuban-Spanish Combine.
While the Cuban colonial govern
zment Ii thus combining with the Span
i7sh government in bringing forward
these incidental questions, yet tn,
-epinion was expressed to-day by a
nigh diplomatic officer, based on recent
=advices from Havana, that serious
Issue would be averted, and that the
actual evacuation of the Spanish
troops from Cuba would begin within
the next month. But it appears that
che evacuation will cover a much
No1Uer time than has beeu anticipated
There are some 100000 Spanish troops
an the island. Allowing 1000 men on
n transport, and a vessel leaving every
day, it would take 100 days, or over
three months, for the evac nation. But
che vessels are not available for trip
every day for 100 consecutive days, so
the time for departure would proba,
bly, far exceed three months.