The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-11
WITH CUBA'S PRESIDENT.
\ GLANCE At THE CIVIL ADMINLs-
TRhTIoN or THE REPUBLIC.

the Insurgents In SPANS war-riddcn colony no
practical system OF government Such a view
of the present state Of the Cuban Republic is, as
can be shown from personal observation by the
writor, wholly untcnablc.
Salvador Cisneros IL the President and Chief
Executive of the Cuban republic, rightly 30
called. 1t has fallen TO the writer's lot to dwell
in the tents of President cisneros, and to study
attentively the admirable system Of rulo estab-
liahed by him throughout his native island.
Although known as the Marquis of Santa
Lucia. Salvador Cisneros i, by temperament
and tuition, a democrat In spite Of his being
descended from a long line OF Spanish nobility,
he was born q democrat. In 1s46 he FIRST came
TO this country to study tho great principles
which underlio the foundation OF this republic.
To give Cuba q Government like the Govern"
ment Of tho United States 10 the ambition Of his
life. He is far from being, as some people In
this country arc inclined TO believe, ' o
President In name only-a nero figure
head. He is q President in fact, the Execu-
tive head Of tho million and a quarter OF poo
pie on tho island, who are either farm
ing or fighting for the success Of the army Of
liberation" As In tho United States, the Presi-
dent Ia the commander-in-chicf Of the forces on
land and sea, and on his shoulders rests the
actual responsibility for the conduct Of the war
and the establishment Of q permanent and en-
during republic. Although Cisneros 10 q man of
pronounced character and marked indcpen-
dence. he is far from being a dictator. Betwoen
him and Generals Gomez and Garcia there 10 q
degree Of mutual dependence and co operation
which has made the revolution almost free from
the bitches and plumbers which have occurred
in similar uprisings In many Of the South and
Central American countries. or jealousies
among the leaders there has been none. Tho
cause Of liberty Is too sacred to admit it. Occa-
sional differences OF opinion and friendly
clashes are unavoidable, but the ono great end
in view enforces harmony in all branches, civil
and military.
The constitution of tho republic Of Cuba is
constructed along the same lines as our own.
The broad principles of democracy which In
spircd Thomas Jefferson are to be found all
through its text. Salvador Cisneros saw that
they were Incorporated in 1t and has placed
copies OF the document in the hands of every
"prcfccto and "sub-prefecto," to read them
to the free people OF Cuba Libre."
No sooner did the first notes of battle come
down from the hills OF the "Oriente" than this
old veteran made preparations to go the front.
He had sacrificed everything, lands, wealth, po-
sition. and title on the altar Of liberty, and
when Gen. Gomez crossed the frontier into
Camaguey, Salvador Cisneros was there to well
como him.. This patriotic man OF 20 years had
IIiouhItu h5 JIG Nv iN'AN 'hN va Nhc
city OF Puerto Principe, with fifteen com
panions, eager to devote the remainder of his
life to the freedom Of his country.
The people, through the Assembly. convoked
in the following September. elected him Presi-
dent of the provisional Government. and in that
capacity he has worked quietly and faithfully
for nearly two years. The result Of this labor
may not be apparent to the outside world. but Its
benefits are obvious to a traveller through the
interior of Cuba
The entire island has been divided, first into
what are known as civil districts, with n civil
governor over each. These civil districts are
divided into p~refectos and subprefectos. the
sub-prefectos usually about three miles square.
Officers known as prefectos, and sub-pre-
fectos appointed by tho Government, are
in charge of the territories. Each has
his official seal and functions carefully pre-
scribed by the constitution. 1t Is his duty in
stantly to notify the nearest body of insurgent
troops OF the approach and STRENGTH of any
called upon. II an insurgent force camps in his
distric; i is his duty TO furnish, so far as posi-
bic. any food II may need.
To all complaints or requests for food. clothes,
or medicines coming from fGmt,iSs whose
and If i is impossible 70 sntisfy the require
ments Of the case it Is his duty to inform his
Of The civil governor. n this official is unable 10
core with the difflcultv. he must appeal 10 the
approached at ali times by the poorest peasant,
"G The Is e] %2F5ftisP sna By si taf iRBsGR1s g" Of i maff matter
by means OF mounted messengers, who traverse
the interior. is both efficient and rapid. Presi-
don't CisneTos told me that twcnty-four hours
after the passage Of the concurrent resolution
by. our, Congress last, spring the news was re-
province OF Camaguey-
Strnnge rs It may seem. the President becomes
any ono place. He loves to travel about, e visit
the civil governors and prefectoS OF different
siiIiir'f to a eS nmps w't tho 70 forces Ts"P of Come CT; "S'' OF
Garcia and watch the military movements from
with m escort of only fifty men. he has many
times made the trip from Santa Clara TO ,Snnti-
ago do Cuba and back again. And it Is this pen
chant for moving. about, and changing camp
which has given rise to the absolutely ground
Less reGort ih g. The nc Eroris,1To, o soT fernd Un was
OF the island to another, and was always in
During July last there were laid before Presi-
thought, would accrue should he see 1T to es-
tahlish a permanent headquarters or seat Of gov
Generals Garcia and Rabl supported these
while he admitted thHt such n permanent ioca
ton Of tho Government could be easily defended
low, did not take kindly to the Idea. The Pro
v,isional Government had travelled about and
Hnare1 Tie dnnRorS OF battle during the ten
years war, and he saw no sufficient reason to
change his tactics.
I'VE are doing good work" he said. You
have seen the evidences OF our administration
on every hand, and. you found no difficulty in
reaching us, nor will my one clse. II the United
States or any country viii send us mn agent,
officially or socially, to visit and inspect tho
administration and execution OF our laws in
Cuba libre,' we will not only conduct him here,
hut we will entertain him IA long IA he cares to
stop. and provide for his return in safety when
ever he may wish TO depart"
TherN Ia n nnIRt and unconscious dignity Ahnnt
Salvador Cisneros's life in the woods, which
seems almost pathetic. Seated on. a leather
camp stool. or more frequently standing, he re-
ceives the constant stream of officers and mes
sengers who bring reports from civil Governors
and commanders In different parts OF the island.
These arc duly filed and copied by his two score
after dark these Industrious brothers may DO
soon recording in huge Government lodgers tho
dies. with the lower half coiled into n base. fur
nish q weird light. by which the struggles OF pa
~triotic and desperate people are transmitted TO
the pages OF Cuba's history.
Nothing but a canvas shelter stretched over a
ridge DOle DrOteCta tho presllent'A white haira