The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-11-29
Our Task in Cuba.

1t is evident that American energy
will have to regenerate cuba in the
face of Cuban opposition. This oppo-
sition will not be expressed in military
forms; il will not be explosive or vio-
lent, it will be the opposition of sullen
inactivity and dogged conservatism
the opposition of the Latin race to
AnglO-SaXon overthrow of its inherit
cd traditions. our meaning will be
clearer after perusal of the appended
extract from "a recent Havana letter
in the New York Herald:
Those who expect sweeping reforms o
he accomplished in one day are dooincu
to disappointment Cuban CharaCtec.
which has been formed by centuries of
contact with the corrupt ruling classes
from Spain, Is incapable of realizing its
own weaknesses. Cuban reform will ne
slow process, as has just been dcmOn-
strated to Mr.. Conant. an American at
torncy, who was sent to Guanapacoa TO
bring the people Of that suburb to the
realization Of their own needs. \ few
years ago this city had popula tiun of
about 2O,0O. Only 5000 remain, the others
being the victims of what might be
termed public suicide. The condition of
Guanabacoa is simply terrible. and all
the result of conditions which might ne
easily ameliorated. The ccmeterv, which
L; not far from the center ,f the city, was
condemned five years ago because of the
fact that il was overcrowded Yet since
then more than 5000 bodies have been in
TERED within its gates. The dead. un-
CniIined. are caI "icd to the cemetery,
where the bodies a'e allowed to accumu-
late until at least a score await burial
Then Il shallow trench receives them. In
the meantime the bodies are attacked
without hndrance by the sun, by dori"s-
tic animals and huzzards. No attempt mas
been made in three years to clean the
streets of Guanahacoa, while the CUndi-
tionS Of the house sinks are simply past
description. All these evils werr pointed
out by Mr.. Corant at a meeting of the
best citizens called by him lie showed
how these conditions could be immeas-
urahly improved and many lives saved at
rh" cost of little labor. Ills first request
was to purify the condition Of their own
houses. Tn" Cnly answer lu this came
from patriaTChial member of the Ayun-
tamiento, who voiced the sentiment %
those present when he lmpatlpntly asked.
who will nay us for this great labor?
MI. Conant labOred increasingly Tor three
days in Guanahacoa without being able
TO make the slightest impression upon the
public mind. In every Cuban village and
"hr .he public is waiting for the AmorI-
Gus to come and do its housecleaning.
] quote Mr. COnant: NJ such thing as
civic pride exists IN rubd 10 American
has been able to discover it,
1t is possible that Mr. Conant would
have experienced greater success had
he employed as his spokesman "A rep
Tesentative Cuban educated In the
United States This would have OBJ
waited Misunderstanding and made the
natives to realize that the proposed
changes were not for the benefit of
any body else than themselves. The
experience Of General Wood at Santl.
ago emphasizes this point. He had tc
combat the same inertia, but he used
tact and force in unison and his sue,
cess is gradually winning both recog,
milton and appreciation from the Cubar
people. notably the better element
The task before the government anC
people of the United States in cuba /,
unquestiOnably a big one. 1t will re
quire courage and patience, persever
ance and grit. But we are pledged I,
II; our honor no less than our con
science is at stake; we dare not hest
tate. II 1t was worth while for tn,
men of the Maine to give their live
as a sacrifice to Cuban liberty or fO
the heroes OF san Juan and FL Cane,
10 baptise in blood and suffering tn
battle ground around Santiago, it vii
certainly be worth while for their worl
to be followed up and carried to com