The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-09-23
Taking a Hand in Shaping Terms on Which
Evacuation is to Be Executed.
American Commissioners Will In
sist Upon a Strict Adherence to
the Protocol, and Will, If Need
Be. Submit an U1timatum
Against Taking UP Subsidiary
Questions of Cuba's Future.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22.-Official
dispatches received by one of the En-
bassies here from Havana confirm the
reports that the Colonial Government
of the island is taking a hand in shap-
ing the terms on which the evacuation
shall be executed. This, it is believed
here, may develop some new phases IN
the situation in Cuba.
The Colonial Government was estab-
lished by Spain shortly before the war
broke out, there being a Cabinet of five
officers at Havana and a legislative
body with two houses. 1t carried out in
a measure the long pending plan of Civ
ing Cuba home rule by means of an
autonomous government, but while in
name autonomous. it was contended by
the insurgent element that genuine
home rule was lacking and that this
colonial regime was a continuance of
Spanish domination. 1t appears. how
ever, 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. This creates condi-
ton in which the United States must
deal not only with Spain, but those
who claim to represent the island itself,
free from Spanish control.
1t now seems clear, from the official
as we'll as from the press reports from
Havana and Madrid, that the autono-
mist element is taking up the claim first
advanced by Spain that only incidental
questions as to Cuba must be settled
before the evacuation begins. But the
view among Government officials here
is that the Cuban autonomists, as We'll
as the ,Spaniards, have no questions to
advance or settle before evacuation is
determined upon. The time and place
of evacuation is looked upon by the
authorities here as the only point in
volved, and there is likely to be rude
awakening if the pro-Spanish element,
either as autonomists or as native
Spaniards, insists upon bringing in the
determination of the Cuban debt, flu
ture forms of government, rates of tar
.iff for Spain and many other subjects.
as a preliminary to evacuation.
The American Commissioners, ac-
cording to the understanding here, will
insist on a strict adherence to the pro-
tocol for an evacuation of the island.
and, if need be, will submit an ultima
tUili tdhIlS up SQDSluldTy questions OF
Cuba's future
While the Cuban Colonial Govern
ment is thus combining with the Span
ish Government in bringing forward
these incidental questions, yet the opin-
ion was expressed to-day by a high dip
lomatic officer, based on recent advices
from Havana, that a serious issue
would be averted, and that the actual
evacuation of the Spanish troops from
Cuba would begin within the next
month. But it appears that the evacu-
alton will cover a much longer time
than has been anticipated. There are
some 100000 Spanish troops in the ISL
and. Allowing LOCO men on a trans
port 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 100 consecutive days. so
that the time for the departure would
probably far exceed three months.