Evening star., 1898-01-12
LAST OF AUTONOMY
A Shadowy Government Without
Practical Force.
AFRAID TO HAVE ELECTIONS NOW
No Power to Bring the insurgents
From the Field.
LITTLE INTEREST SHOWN
Copyright, 1898, by Charles NJ. Pepper.)
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.


HAVANA, January 8, 1898.
Could political institutions be furnished
Up as easily some other things, Spain
might hope for the success of autonomy in
Cuba. The new cabinet is housed in freshly
vanished surroundings. The exterior Of
the palace has not yet been repainted. The
creamy tint it once bore Is streaked with
the TT st of time and weather. The interior
of the palace has not been completely rem
ovated. There is still an air of the shabby
genteel of decayed splendor and magnifi-
cence. The quarters of Captain General
Blanco and the general staff retain their
soldierly qualities of Indifference to out
ward show, but the civil government is al
lowed the luxury of new furniture, which
is denied to the military arm. The rooms
are freshly painted and papered. The coun-
Gil room, where the autonomist cabinet
meets, is radiant with newness, even to the
point Of Saudiness. The desks are good
the chairs of state are comfortable the
inkstands justify the pride Secretary Cen
eral CongoSto took in them; the letter.
feads OF the government stationery are
unexceptionable. The visible representa-
ton of Spain's reformed colonial system is
compete. Is anything more needed to in
sure Its success? Something else, perhaps.
The functions which the cabinet have
thus far exercised have not been extensive
lhe captain general has blandly assured
4 SS'u~it HdiSSZ dUu his associates that
the civil power is now in their hands; but
II Is civil authority which must be ex-
ecuted under martial law. The cabinet is
convenience to the captain general 1t
enables him to get rid of many trouble
some subjects by referring them to the
secretaries del despacho," or cabinet off,
GERS. They, in their turn, pass tho subject
on to the governors of the provinces and
the endless chain works smoothly Tho
cabinet has not yet reached the point
Where Its individual members are able to
90 much IN administering their respective
departments. They are acting as q kind of
JOINT executive, and the matters which
come before them are such as have hereto-
lore been acted on by the governor general
~ Meo'withhstanding s,'th Gen; Blanco.s disclaimer
o! authority beyond the functions of
viceroy In representing Spain's sover-
eighty, his hand is felt in administra-
ton. The difference is that where form
err! spanish government in Cuba consisted
IN the bandos' or DEGREES issued by the
governor general. these are now supple
mented by the "bandos" of the cabinet.
Inc latter are harmless documents of linn
TIED scope. The DEGREES of the governor
general continue to be the real exercise of
authority. The secretaries are vet busted
making and receiving calls of congratula-
tion ti ana exchanging kilograms of felicita-
uon. Possibly the arrival of Mr. Clown
who is the head of the department of the
interior and justice, will cause more pro-
gress to be made in the direction Of practi-
cal admins tration. He is a man ~ forca
and influence. He has lived long enough
IN the United States to know that the best
way 10 gam support for government pol
icy Is 10 snow results. Montaro, Rodriguez
ana Zdyas are apparently men of theories
Mr Dolz, the other member of the cabinet.
mas not returned from Madrid,
Why Elections Are Postponed.
Probably not much can be written of
autonomy In operation until the council of
administration is named and the Cuban
congress Is chosen. bnt
far off that they do not come within the
range of present topics. Possibly the cleo
tions will be held in February Weeks ago
was told this was the plan. More recent
ly again made inquiry. You don't ex-
pect US to hold the elections when we may
be beaten? was the reproachful question
with which my inquiry was answered
w men the government is strong enough
the congress will be elected" This reply
showed an insight into politics that was
unexpected. The government is not sure 1t
could carry majority now. Though the
conservatives decided to withdraw into
thetr shell and take no part in public af-
fairs, they might come out suddenly. If
they should, they are strong enough in
numbers and influence to control the nomi-
nations. Therefore, the government does
wisely not to be too hasty. Before choos-
lES the members 1t must be sure Of a ma
jority. However, the census of electors.
which is to be the basis of the election, is
&c ing forward in some towns. 1t does not
seem TO show that large vote will be
pClled, though universal suffrage was es-
tablshed by one of the DEGREES which pre-
ceded the DEGREES of autonomy.
The members of this first Cuban cabinet
appear to recognize that theirs is transi-
tory tenure of power. The provision under
which they act was that the cabinet should
be formed by the nomination of the gov
ernor general, and with him should conduct
the interior affairs of the island until the
a ny to .I,-
When the two branches of that body are
organized the present cabinet ceases and
the governor general names new one,
which represents, "in his Judgment" in the
most complete manner, the majorities Of
the chamber of representatives and the
council of administration respectively. But
this is nominal limitation. Galvez. Mon
taro and Gown especially were made men,
berS OF the transitOry cabinet with the
known understanding that they would be
cfosen as permanent secretaries when that
stage is reached. They are too cautious to
exercise extended authority until the Span
lsh cortes has met and affirmed the DEGREES
OF autonomy which the Sagasta ministry
has promulgated. Retrospective legislation
may be certain. since the ministry in power
in Spain is always able to elect Its own
ccrtes, but the Cuban autonomists prefer
to see that done before they commit them
selves too extensively. For the present
they will go on conducting the interior af-
fairs of the island jointly with the gov
with him most of the joint responsibility.
Powers of the Council of Administra-
tiOn.
With the application of autonomy that
is now in effect 1t might be supposed that
early progress could be looked for in the
complete constitution of the colonial gov
ernment. All that, however, is indefinite
Until the elections are held much must re-
main unsettled, and the uncertain pros
pect regarding them has already been In
dicated. The council of administration can
not be formed at present because eighteen
Of Its thirty-five members are to be elect
ed. Doubtless the seventeen who are to be
selected by the governor general in the
name of the king could be found, though
more difficulty would be experienced than
Is imagined. The selection Of six members
Of the autonomist cabinet was a severe
labor. and the choice of seventeen coun-
cilors Of state, who would be willing to
take Official position as the special repre-
sentatives Of Spanish sovereignty would
be more severe If this council Of admins
tration 10 ever constituted the exercise Of