Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-13
SPANS CUBAN POLICY. d.
1t VIII BE Outlined fin the Queen
Coming Address to Cortes.

1t VIII BE Outlined fin the Queens
Coming Address to Cortes.
1t is the expectation, based on informa-
ton from the best informed sources, that
the queen regents address to the Spanish
cortes at its forthcoming meeting will deal
largely with the Spanish-American situa-
ton, and will be material factor in the
present controversy as showing the policy
and purposes of the Spanish government.
Following this the cortes itself will deal
with the Cuban question, both as it relates
to Cuba and as 1t affects the United States.
The address of the queen will be, to some
extent, like the message of President Nc
kinley-a submission to the legislative
branch of the views Of the executive head
of the nation, with recommendations for
the future guidance of the legislative
branch.
The new cortes was elected about two
weeks ago, a large liberal majority being
returned. This will give the Sagasta min
istry, for the first time, a majority of it's
own political complexion in the cortes, and
viii facilitate the carrying out of the plans
of the ministry. The last cortes had a con-
servative majority and was opposed to the
SGgasta regime, supporting 1T only by suf-
france on the Cuban question. 1t had been
expected that the new cortes would deal
with the subject of autonomy in Cuba, pos
sibly enlarging it,
The present autonomy plan is based on
the ministerial decree, and it yet remains
to be sanctioned and developed by the cor
tez. While this has been in prospect, still
the critical aspect of affairs between Spain
and the United States may entirely change
vla TIM he of ha
cortez to new and more serious phases of
the subject. Preparations for the as
sembling Of the bodies of the two chambers
are now in progress. and the meeting will
occur in Madrid in about ten days.
In Cuba and Porto Rico.
The Spanish legation has received in
formation from Cuba that mo trouble has
been or is to be apprehended, and that the
Americans are not in the slightest danger
there, the alarm caused by General Lees
departure having no foundation whatever.
'In Porto Rico order prevails, and the
reports sent by Correspondent Rea are
false. Elections took place with tranquilli-
ty, although certain opposition people try
to make capital of an unimportant street
riot"
There is still no word from Cuba as to
with respect to the proposed armistice
Counting today, seventy-two hours have
passed, with the Spanish soldiers resting
their arms. During this time no word has
come of an aggressive movement by the
insurgents. 1t was thought that a skirmish
or a raid would serve to show that the
insurgents proposed to continue their fight
ing. No such move has occurred, however
and it is now stated that the absence OF
active operations by the insurgents will
not be significant in disclosing that they
accept the armistice.
Their plans of warfare, it is stated, are
Tot SO much aggressive as they are to
maintain their organization in the noun
tains, swamps and inaccessible places,
where they are satisfied with this organ
lied protest against Spains authority,
even though it does not take the form Of
a regular battle. 1t is said that this pas
sive resistance will operate as much in a
declination of the armistice as any open
hostiutes.