Excerpt from Constitution Establishing Self-Government in the Islands of Cuba and Porto Rico: Promulgated by Royal Decree of November 25, 1897 Madam: In approaching the important problem of the introduction of colonial autonomy into the islands of Cuba and Porto Rico, a task which, together with that of the pacification of the island of Cuba, constitutes the obligations which the Government has contracted toward the nation, the ministers are of opinion that detailed explanations and comments on the complex matters which the project embraces should give place to a sober but complete exposition of its fundamental characteristics, of the spheres of action to which it extends, and of the consequences which, in their judgment, the system which they propose to Your Majesty for the government of the Spanish Antilles will produce. Criticism and analysis will very soon elucidate what refers to the details of this system; the essential principles and the spirit of the decree are all that can properly be set forth here and at this time. To do this is the more necessary, since the first and most essential condition of success in this class of reforms is absolute sincerity of purpose. With sincerity the Government has proceeded to consider the best form of autonomic constitution for the islands of Cuba and Porto Rico; and that the results have not fallen short of its intention it hopes to give in these observations complete proof. The Government proposed to itself to state the principle clearly, to unfold it in all its integrity, and to surround it with all the guaranties necessary to its success. For when it is proposed to intrust the direction of their affairs to peoples that have attained their majority, either autonomy should not be offered to them at all, or it should be given to them complete, in the conviction that they are thus put on the path ta prosperity, unhampered by restrictions or impediments springing from mistrust or suspicion. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.