The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-07

mercial life which is liable to take place
through The too frequent occurrences Of ma
Uonal elections. a longer period for the
term of the presidency viii probably be
adopted. In my opinion. six years would
be a better term for the chief executive
OF Cuba. The election of such executive by
direct popular vote viii probably be pre-
| ferable TO the system in vogue In me
| United States through its electoral college
1T is The opinion of some of our states
men that our Congress should be directly
responsible 10 the people for their acts,
so that, in case there should be an I'M
aYoidable division of opinion on urgent
matters. that body might be dissolved and
its members sent back 10 their constitu-
ents for reelection, as Is customary in
The British parliament. In that way may
be avoided chose unfortunate deadlocks
which some times take place in legislative
bodies. II might prove a sautary method
of keeping our representatives within the
limits prescribed by their platforms at
the time of their election. In this way
also the people themselves may be taught
to take q greater interest in national at
fairs, and to keep in closer touch with
their representatives al the seal of govern
meEt.
1.-THE government of Cuba for the first
few years in many minor details will of
necessity be in the nature of a political
experiment. Errors win no doubt be made,
but none which will endanger the inter-
ests of the body polite or be not capable
Of immediate correction.
I'VE do not claim 10 be infallible, but
we feel justified in placing almost I'M
limited confidence in the patriotism, in
tegrity and sober judgment of the great
majority of our people.
THAT we may be permitted to create
and maintain with our own resources such
a government is our only prayer.
What we want are railroads, telegraph
lines, public schools saw mills, machine
shops, factories, better houses, and those
sanitary conditions and comforts which
go hand in hand with modern civilization.
Our island is capable of yielding a wealth
second to none in the world. To the Uni
ted States, which has rendered this posi-
bic for us. we owe a debt of everlasting
gratitude Her people are as welcome as
our own. Her constitution, her nstitu-
tons political and economical, have been
and will be our models and our guides.
Annexation in the Future.
ut is quite probable that in a few years
social and commercial interests will induce
Cuba to sue for admission to the Union as
a state. But understanding and realizing
as I do the peculiar temperament and con-
dition of our people, / cannot but think
that annexation would be most inexpedi-
ent and unwise at present. am well
aware that a powerful alliance between
Spanish political and American financial
interests has been formed and that it is
bringing all possible pressure to bear upon
not only the peace commission at Paris
and the administration at Washington,
but upon the malcontents of Cuba, to
compel the immediate annexation of this
island as a territory of the United States.
But a thorough knowledge of the true
state of affairs, as well as the wishes of
my people, impef me TO state that If such
step is forced upon us now il may long
be regretted. 1t is far better TO let the
grounds in the coffee cup settle before Of
fering II to the guest.
Independence absolute has been the
dream Of our lives. Permit us to enjoy this
before compelling us to enter into even a
more profitable or satisfactory state. We
have accepted the assistance of the United
States in driving out the Spaniard as a
noble and unselfsh act of brotherly love
and humanity. To force annexation upon
us now would SOW in the minds of many
the seeds of suspicion and distrust. Spain
has for years declared that America had
no real sympathy for the Cuban, that she
cared only for his territory. Do not let her
say: 4 tod YOU So
English Language for Commerce
ana State.
1T is my prayer that the friendly rela-
tons between Cuba and the United States
may never be tainted with a breath of
suspicion. That they will some time coal
esce and become one, politically, socially
and commercially. is inevitable. But let
care be taken that that union be not
married by the il-feeling and disappoiut
ment which would be inevitable if the
mercenary Vaccinations of the former en-
emies of our independence are allowed to
prevail. / hope TO live to see the day
when the English language win be not
only taught in our public schools, but will
be as well the language of commerce and
! of state.
1.-The public school system of the United
/ States, by men who are especially CON-
/ petent to judge of educational systems
! has been found on the whole admirable
| and satisfactory. Nevertheless, there are
certain notifications which would render
! it better adapted to a system of public
/ school education for the Cubans, and such
notifications win be readily grated upon
il through careful observation of the in
1 telectual training of other countries, rs
| Germany. We are well aware that vita
need of the Cuban is education. The
only education heretofore attain
able by the Cubans was that offered by
the church, cramped and imperfect sys-
TEN, which, when brought into competi.
ton with progressive ideals. has beer
found in every instance wholly made
quate.
status OF Provisional Government
''To President Mckinley and the admin
stration at Washington we have appealed
/ not only by letter, but through the per
sonal offices of a special envoy for coun
sci and advice. So far these appeals hav,
been in vain. 1t is true that ours is only
a provisional government, that we wer,
not elected by and do not represent al
of the people of Cuba. We do not repre-
sent the Spanlards or their sympathzers
who sustain the same relation to us a.
did the Tories to the colonial Congress.
during the American revolution. But i
IL equally true that ours is the only au
thority. civil and military which repre-
sents the people who have rebelled agains
the rule of Spain; the only government
whose legislative acts have been respect
ed whose judicial DEGREES have been ac
copied and whose executive orders hav,
been obeyed during the past three year.
throughout two-thrds of the island
1t is this section, the vast interior O
the island. with its more than million
Of inhabitants, that in dire distress nov