The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-23
LOOKS LIKE A TRICK
CUBAN COLONIAL GOVERNMENT
MAY ANNOY AMERICAN EVACU-
ALTON COMMISSIONERS
GREAT INFLUENCE IN HAVANA

That Would Materially Affect the
Work of Clearing the Island of
Spanish Soldiers - Believed the
United States VIII Brook No Such
Interference.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 22.-The Of
fetal dispatches received by one of the
embassies here from Havana confirm
the reports that the colonial govern
ment Of the island is taking a hand in
shaping the terms on which the evacu-
alton shall be executed. This, it is be-
HeVed here, may develop some new
phases in the situation in Cuba
The colonial government was estab-
Iished 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
autonomous government, but, while in
name autonomous, it was contended by
the insurgent element that genuine
nome rule was lacking, and that the
colonial regime was q continuance of
Spanish domination. It appears, how
ever, that these colonial authorities
are taking very active part In the
present negotiations, and that there is
more or less cooperation between them
and the Spanish. This creates a rule
that the United States shall not onlv
deal with Spain, but with those who
claim to represent the island itself. free
no T1ic
autonomist administration, is very
thoroughly organized, and can exert
much influence. 1t established q reg
uIar legation in 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 edu-
Gated classes as against the insurgents
and illfterates. This makes two dis
tnct classes, the autonomists, who
are operating with Spain, and the in
surgents, who are opposed to SPAIN
1t now seems clear, from the official as
we'll as the press reports from Ha-
Vana and Madrid, that the autonomIst
element is taking up the claims ad-
Vanced by Spain that many Incidental
questions as to Cuba must be settled
before the evacuation begins. But the
view among government officials here
is that the Cuban autonomtsts, as well
as the SpaniardS, have no questions to
advance or settle before evacuation is
determined upon. The time and place
of evacuation are looked upon by the
authorities here as the only points in
awakening If the pro-Spanish element
either as autOnomists or native Span
iards, insists 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 preliminary of 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- submit an ultimatum
against taking up subsidiary questions
ON Cuba's future.
While the Cuban colonial government
is thus combining with the Spanish gov
ernment in bringing forward these in
cidental questions, yet the opinion was
expressed here today by a high dipIo-
matte officer, based on recent adyices
from Havana, that a serous 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 the evac-
uatlon will cover a much longer time
than was anticipated. There are 100,-
600 Spanish troops in the island AL
lowing 1000 men on transport, and a
vessel leaving every day, it would re-
qu1re 100 consecutive days, so that the
time for departure would probably far
exceed six months.
The cabinet composed Of the colonial
secretaries meets daily, and pardon is
granted to a great many of the pris-
oners, who are thereupon turned into
the streets of the city. 1t is reported
that Bartolomeo Maso, president of
the so-called Cuban republic, who has
been sick, went to Santa Cruz del Sur
last week. but returned, still sick. to
his estate at La Esperanza, in the
province of Puerto Principe.
PASS APT COMPARISONS.
La Lucha, in an editorial yesterday,
treating upon the question of the fu-
ture Of Cuba, concludes with saving:
''The difficulty existing between our
selves and the Americans Is that thew
occupy themselves with material inter
ests and the organization of public
wealth, while we write verses to liberty
and sonnets to the moon as a solution
Of our very terrestrial problems. We
are supporters and followers Of ideals
and the muses., while they are staunch
dependents upon reality and earthly
things. We are of heaven and they are
of the earth. Victory, therefore, can
not be doubtful, unless we change our
tastes, ambitions and temperament"
Advices from the interior continue re-
porting want and distress existing
among Cuban troops Private sub
scriptions Of money, food and clothes
and medicines are doing what thew
can for their relief. In several of the
interior towns more hospitals, where
the sick can enjoy at least care and
nursing from gentle, womanly hands.
have been opened.
Capt. Gen. Blanco, amplifvins
his decree of Aug. %, has pardoned 11s
prisoners who were exiled from tho
island for all kinds of crimes.