The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-09-23
THE EVACUATION OF CUBA
Our Commissioners Will Brook
No Unnecessary Delay.
AUT0NOMISTS SHOW UP
There Is an Element in the Island That
Would iii to Thrust Minor Cues
tons Into the Foreground,
but 1t Won't Work.

Washington, Sept. 22.-OhiciaI dis
patches received by one of the embas-
sizes here from Havana confirm the re-
ports that the colonial government of
the island is taking a hand in shaping
the terms on which the evacuation shall
be executed. This, it is believed here,
may develop some new phases in the
situation in Cuba.
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 while in
name autonomous, ii was contended by
the insurgent element that genuine
home rule was lacking and that this
colonial regime was a continuance of
Spanish domain. 1t appears, however.
that these colonial authorities are taking
a very active part in the present ne
gotiations and that there is more or less
cooperation between them and the
Spanish government. This creates a
condition in which the United States
must deal not only with Spain, but those
who claim to represent the island itself,
free from control. The colonial or au-
tonomy administration is very thorough
Iy organized and can exert much in
huence. Ii established a regular lega-
ton at Washington prior to the war,
with several prominent 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 insurgents and illiterates.
II now seems clear that the autono-
mist element is taking up the claim
first advanced by Spain, that many in
cldental questions as TO Cuba must be
settled before the begins.
But the view among government Off
Gals here is that the Cuban autono-
mists, as well as the Spaniards, have
no questions to advance or settle before
evacuation is determined upon. The
time and place of evacuation is looked
upon by the authorities here as the only
point involved and there is likely to be
a rude awakening if the pro-Spanish
element, either as autonomists or as ma
tive Spauiards, insists upon b~ringing. in
the determination of the Cuban debt.
future forms Of rates of
tariff for Spain and many other sub
Jects, as a preliminary to evacuation.
The American commissioners, according
to the understanding here, will insist on
a strict adherence TO the protocol for
an evacuation of the island, and If need
be. will submit an uItimatum against
taking up subsidiary questions of
Cuba's future.
While the Cuban colonial government
is thus combining with the Spanish
government in bringing forward these
Incidental questions, yet the opinion
was expressed to-day by a high diplo-
matte officer, based on recent advices
from Havana that a serious issue
would be averted and hat the actual
evacuation of the Spanish troops from
Cuba would begin within the next
month. But ii appears that the evacua-
ton will cove a much longer time than
has been anticipated. There are some
loo ,OOO Spanish troops on the island.
Allowing 1000 men on a transport and
vessel leaving every day, il would
100 days, or over three months. for
the evacuation. But the vessels are not
for a trip every day for 100
consecutive days, so that the time for
departure would probably far exceed
three months.