The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-23
American Commissioners VIII Insist
ON Strict Adherence to the Protocol,
and May Issue an UItimatum.
ORDER ISSUED BY GEN. GOMEZ
CUBAN INSURGENTS NOTIFIED TO CO.
OPERATE WITH AMERICANS.
ARRAYS Between Spaniards and Pa
triots Growing Frequent-Stars and
Stripes Still Waving at Havana.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22.-Oficial dis
patches received by one of the embassies
here from Havana confirm the reports that
the colonial government of the island is
taking a hand in shaping the terms on
which the evacuation shall be executed.
This, 1t is believed here, may develop some
new phases in the situation in Cuba. The
colonial government was established by
Spain shortly before the war broke out,
there being q. Cabinet of five officers AT
Havana, and q legislative body with two
houses. 1t carried out in measure the
long pending plan of giving Cuba home rule
by means of an autonomous government,
but while in name autonomous, it was con-
tended by the insurgent element that gen.
uine home rule was lacking and that this
colonial regime was a continuance of Span
ish domination. 1t appears, however, that
these colonial authorities are taking very
active part in the present negotiations. and
that there is more or less cooperation be-
tween them and the Spanish government.
This creates a 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, or autonomist administration, is
very thoroughly organized and can exert
legation in Washington prior to the war,
with several prominent public men of
Havana on the staff. II numbers in its
ranks much of the wealth of Cuba, and
claims TO stand for the educated classes as
against the insurgents and illiterates. This
makes two distinct Cuban classes: The au-
Economists 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 autonomist element is
taking up the claim first advanced by Spain
that many incidental questions as to Cuba
must be settled before the evacuation be-
gins. But the view among government Off
cials here is that the Cuban autonomists,
as well as the Spanards, have no questions
to advance or settle before evacuation is
determined on. The time and place of evac-
uation is looked on by the authorities here
as the only point involved, and there is
likely to be rude awakening if the pro-
Spanish element, either as autonomists
as native Spaniards. insist on bringing in
the determination 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 COM
missioners, according to the understand
ing here, will insist on a strict adherence
to the protocol for an immediate evacuation
of the island, and if need be, will submit an
ultimatum against taking up subsidiary
questions on 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
serious issue would be averted, and that the
actual evacuation of the Spanish troops
from Cuba would begin within the next
month. But 1t appears that the evacuation
will cover much longer time than has
been anticipated. There are some 100000
Spanish troops in the island. Allowing 1000
men on a transport and vessel leaving
every day, it would take 100 days. or over
three months for the evacuation. But the
vessels are not available for a trip every
day for one hundred consecutive days, so
that the time for departure would probably
far exceed three months.