Text of the New Reform Measure for the Island of Cuba: Expository Preamble and Royal Decree presents Spain’s formal plan to reform Cuba’s governance through a self‑government framework, as laid out in a 1897 royal decree.
This edition translates the expository preamble and the decree into accessible English, clarifying the scope and aims of the reforms.
The material frames a shift toward local administration on the island, with Cuban natives and long‑settled residents sharing in governance. It outlines how the reforms would operate in Cuba and, where compatible, in Porto Rico, and it notes how the plan relates to broader political currents in Spain. Readers will see the stated goals of autonomy, the roles of appointed and elected bodies, and the government’s stated intent to balance self‑rule with the unity of the kingdom.
- How the reform measure declares the aims of self‑government and local administration for Cuba.
- The structure of authority, including the Governor General, the Council of Authorities, and the role of Cuban and Spanish officials.
- Electoral and administrative provisions, how reforms might be applied in Cuba and Porto Rico, and the process for putting them into effect.
- Contemporary reactions and supporting statements from political leaders and public figures of the era.
Ideal for readers of Caribbean history, colonial policy, and 19th‑century reforms, this edition helps you understand a pivotal moment in how Spain sought to govern its islands.