Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-23
EVACUATION OF CUBA
COLONIAL GOVERNMENT IS HELP
ING TO SHAPE THE TERMS.
SPANISH POLICY OF DELAY.
Subsidiary Question. to BE Brought
in, But Our Commissioners Are
Expected to Demand Evacuation
Eirst. According 10 the Protocol.

WASHINGTON, September 2.-Accord-
ing to Official dispatches from Habana'
received by one of the embassies here
the Colonial Government OF the island Is
taking 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 a cabinet Of five ofiicers'
at Habana, and a Legislative body with
two houses. II carried out in measure
the long-pending plan of giving Cuba
home rule by means Of an autonomous
Government. but while in name autono-
nous. II was contended by the insur-
gent element that genuine home rule was
lacking. and that this Colonial regime
was continuance Of Spanish domina-
ton. 1t appears, however. that these
Colonial authorities are taking very ac-
tive part in the present negotiations
and there is more or less cooperation
between them and the Spanish Govern
ment This creates condition IN Whlcn
the United States must deal, not only with
Spain. but with those who claim TO repre-
sent the island itself, free from Spanish
control
The Colonial or Autonomist admin
istration is very thoroughly ORGANIZED
and can exert much influence. III es-
tablished a regular legation in Washing
ton prior to the war. with several prom-
nent public men in Habana on the stan
In nh re
of Cuba. and claims stand for the edu-
Gated classes, as against the insurgents
and the illterate This makes two as
tinct Cuban classes-the Autonomists,
who are cooperating with Spain, ana the
insurgents. who are opposed to Spain
PRo-sPANIsH PLAN.
II now seems clear. from the official as
well as the press reports from Hapana
and Madrid. that the Autonomist element
Is taking up the claims advanced by
Spain. that many Incidental questions as
"a Cuba must be settled before the eVacu-
alton begins But the view among govern
ment officials here Is that the CUBAN au-
| Economists, as well as the Spanierds, nave
no questions TO advance or settle betore
| evacuation Is determined upon. Inc time
| and place of evacuation are looked upon
by the authorities here as the only poih.s
| involved. and there Is likely 10 DE ruue
| awakening II the pro-Spanish element
either as autonomists or as native span
| iards. insist upon bringing in the determi'
nation of the Cuban debt, future forms OF
government rates Of tariff for Spain, anc
many other subjects, as preliminary &c
| evacuation.
The American commissioners. accord
| ing TO the understanding here, Will insist
| on a strict adherence to the protocol, as
| calling for an immediate evacuation oil
the island, and IL need be, will submit al
ultimatum against taking up subsidiary
| questions on Cuba's future.
ISSUE WILL BE AVERTED.
While the Cuban Colonial Government
is thus combining with the Spanish GOV
eminent in bringing forward these inch
dental questions, yet the opinion was ex'
pressed to-day by high diplomatic ON
Ger. based in recent advices from Ha
bana, that a serious issue would bt
averted, and that the actual evacuation
by the Spanish troops of Cuba would be
| gin within the next month. But It ap
pears that the evacuation will cover
much longer time than had been antici
pated. There are some 100000 Spanish
troops in the island. Allowing 1860 mel
on a transport, and vessel leavint
every day, 1t would take 100 days, o.
over three months, for the evacuation
but the vessels are not available for
trip every day for 100 consecutive days
so that the time for departure will pro
badly far exceed three months.