Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-09-23
EVACUATION OF CUBA
Cuban Antonomists Wish to
Shape Terms.
THEY WILL Be IGNORED
The United States Iusints Upon Evacuation
Before Settling the islands Future.
Removing the Spaninrds IL
Tedious Task. ..
(BY Telegraph.l

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2.-Accordinr
to official dispatches from Havana ra-
ceived by one of the embassies here,
the colonial government of the island
is taxing hand in shaping the terms
on which the evacuation shall be exc
cuted. This. it is believed here, may
develop some new phases in the situa-
ton in Cuba. The colonial government
was established by Spain shortly before
ehe war broke out. there being q cab
met OF five officers at Havana and a
legislative body With two houses. 1t
carried out in Il measure the long pend
ing plan OF giving Cuba home rule by
means of an autonomous government.
out While in name autonomous it was
commended by the insurgent element
that genuine home rule was lacking
and that this colonial regime was a
continuance of Spanish domination.
Il appears. however. that these colonial
authorities are taking a very active
part in the present negotiations and
that there is more or less cooperation
between them and the Spanish govern
ment 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
autonomists administration Is very
thoroughly organized and can exert
much influence. 1t established Il regu-
lar legation in Washington prior to the
war. with several prominent public
men of Havana on the staff 1t num-
berS in its ranks much of the wealth of
CUBA, and claims to stand for the ed
ucated classes as against the insur-
gents ana illiterates. This makes two
distinct Cuban classes-the autonomsts
who are cooperating with Spain, and
the insurgents who are opposed to
Spain.
1t now seems clear from the official
as we'll as the press reports from Ha-
hot
element is taking up the claim first adj
Vanced by Spain that many incidental
questions as to Cuba must be settled
oe1ore the evacuation begins. But the
view among government officials here
is that the Cuban autonomists. as well
as the Spaniards, nave no questions to
advance or settle before evacuation is
determined upon. The time and place
OF evacuation is looked upon by the au-
thorities here as the only point involv-
ed. anu there Is likely to be a rude
awakening Of the pro- Spanish element,
elther as autonomists or as native
Span1ards, insist upon bringing in the
determination of the Cuban. debt fl,-
lure forms or government. rates OF tar
i1 for Spain. and many other subjects
as a preliminary to evacuation. The
american commissioners, according to
the understanding here, will insist on
strict adherence to the protocol for
an immediate evacuation OF the island.
49, - ieeu We VIII submit an ultima
tum against taking up subsidiary aues-
tons on Cuba's future
While the Cuban colonial government
is thus combining with the Spanish
government in bringing forward these
lncloental questions yet the opinion
was expressed today by 4 high diplo-
matte 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 newt
month. But it appears that the evac-
I atlofi VIII cover a much longer time
man has been anticipated There are
some ,a ioo,ooo Spanish troops in the is
port; a vessel leaving every day. #
Mog!d take 100 days. or over three
months for the evacuation. But the
a aesssis are not available for trip ev-
mat the time for departure will nrohs
aply far exceed three months