Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 October 1897 — RELIEF GIVEN CUBA. [ARTICLE]

RELIEF GIVEN CUBA.

SAGASTA MINISTRY DECIDES TO GRANT AUTONOMY. Campaign to Be Continued So Bong as Rebellion Exists—Weyjcr Declares He Will Not Resign Seven Girls Die in a Fire. Spanish Butcher Defiant. At a cabinet council in Madrid the Spanish Government decided to grant autonomy to Cuba under the suzerainty of Spain, and to continue tjie campaign as long as may be necessary.* Senor Sagasta, the premier, has received a cable message from Captain General Weyler, who offers his services to the Government and says: “I shall not resign.” Senor Gallon, minister of foreign affairs, explained to the cabinet the position of the diplomatic negotiations with the United States. The first important step of the new Spanish Government was the decision to grant autonomy to Cuba. So far as learned in the meager telegrams received this plan of autonomy is to be subject to the suzerainty of Spain. Information is lacking as to its scope over legislation and taxation, the most significant factors in the self-government of any country. From the fact, however, that the statement is made that the Sagasta ministry intends to continue the campaign in Cuba so long as rebellion exists, the logical deduction is that the autonomy agreed on is limited —that it will not satisfy the insurgent leaders. But whether limited or liberal, it is feared this concession to the rebels will -create a storm in Spain. Taken in connection with a dispatch saying that Weyler has refused to resign as captain general, thus compelling the Sagasta government to recall him, the affair will furnish effective campaign material for the Spanish conservatives. The latter will undoubtedly point to Weyler’s determined operations against the Cubans and tell the electors that his withdrawal means the island will be lost to Spain. With relation to American intervention, Sagasta’s step is considered shrewd diplomacy in that it will tend to postpone a settlement Diplomats say that America’s hands are now virtually tied until the autonomy plan is given a trial in Cuba.