The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-09-23
ARE DELAYING
EVACUATION.
Gu ban Autonomists Suggesting
Questions For Discussion--The
Army Reorganization.

Washington. Sept. 23.-An official dis
patch today from Havana reports that
the colonial government OF the island Is
taking hand In shaping the terms on
which the evacuation shall be executed.
This may develop new phases in the
situation In Cuba. The colonial govern
ment was established by Spain shortly
before the war broke out 1t carried out
In a measure the long pending plan of
giving Cuba home rule by means of an
autonomous government. While In
name autonomous. II was contended by
the insurgent element that genuine home
rule was lacking, and that this colonial
regime was continuance of Spanish
domination. 1t appears. however. that
the colonial authorities are taking a very
active part in the present negotiations.
and there Is more or less corporation
between them and the Spanish govern
ment. This creates a condition In which
the United States must deal not only with
Spain. but also with those who claim to
represent the island itself, free from
Spanish control. ear
The colonial or autonomist admins
tration Is very thoroughly organized,
4
lished a regular legation in Washington
prior TO the war. with prominent men of
Havana on the staff. 1t numbers in it's
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 autonomists, who are cooperating
with Spain. and the insurgents. who are
opposed to Spain
II 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 begins: but the view among
government officials Is that the Cuban
autonomists, 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 involved, and there is
likely to be a rude awakening IL the pro-
Spanish element. either as autonomists
or as native Spaniards. insists upon
bringing in the determination Of the
Cuban debt. future forms of government.
Jects as a preliminary to evacuation.
The American commissioners, according
to the understanding. will insist on a
strict adherence to the protocol for an
immediate evacuation of the island, and
II need be will submit an ultimatum
against taking up subsidiary questions
or Cubas future.
While the Cuban colonial government
Is thus combining with the Spanish gov
ernment in bringing forward incidental,
questiors, yet the opinion Is expressed
by diplomatic officer. based on recent
: advlces from Havana. that a serious
issue will be averted and that the
actual evacuation Of the Spanish troops
from Cuba will begin within the next
month.
1t appears that the evacuation will
occupy 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.
The vessels are not available for trip
every day for 100 consecutive days so
that the time for departure would prob
ably far exceed three months.