The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-07
Causes Some
Impotence.
CUBANS DISLIKE
Plans Of The United States
But Have No Redress.

Havana, via Key West, Fla, Nov s.
delayed in transmission. The inter-
regnum between SPANS virtual loss of
sovereignty in Cuba and the assump-
ton of full military control by the
united States, seems indefinitely pro-
Iohged, with no immediate hope of re-
lief to country which daily grows
poorer and moFe depopulated. On all
SldeS the question is asked how much
nearer is the final solution of the prob
lem than it was on the day the protocol
was signed.
The feeling among the better class of
intelligent and influential Cubans may
be pretty accurately summed up In the
Following observations made today by
a representative Cuban merchant of
Havana to the correspondent of the
Associated Press:
1t seems to me-and l think my
views are shared by nlany-that the
United States government is dilly-dal-
lying too long with Spain over this
evacuation question. OF course the
problem is difficult one, but the de-
lay is surely unnecessary.
The United States have sent her an
assortment of commissions, each more
self-important and mysterious than it's
predecessor, and each yelling its oper-
ations with a cloud of secrecy. which,
so far as my own experience goes, real
ly serves the purpose of obscuring is
sues and concealing very small achieve
ments.
Almost nothing has been accom-
plished. The spirit of jealousy fills
not only the individual members of all
| the commissions, but also exists be-
| tween the different commissions col
| lectively. Their rivalries seem to en-
gross the attention of commissioners
much more than the serious questions
affecting the welfare of Cuba and the
dignity and good faith of the United
| States.
| First we were told that the date of
occupation by the United States troops
would be Nov list; then Dec. list was
| fixed upon; and later we were informed
that the date for occupation would be
| left indefinite. So far as evacuation is
| concerned, Jan. LIST was named as an
ultimate date; but now it is rumored
| that Feb. has been agreed upon. The
| fact is, the country at large, especially
| commerce, whether Cuban, foreign or
| Spanish. is getting disguised. The peo-
pie are losing faith and confidence,
| owing to the lack of formality dis
played by the American representa-
| tives.
J '.To all questions asking information
on these points, the American commits
| sioners, with a superior smile and an
| assumption of gravity to cover their
| Ignorance reply vaguely and unsatls-
| factorily. Unless the Washington gov
| eminent forces its lethargic commls-
| sions into greater activity, Cuba VIII
be an immense grave yard and it's fields
| barren before the United States takes
possession. The daily records OF NOR
tality show that the population in all
parts Of the island is dwindling Stead1-
ly Entire villages are dying OF star
walton On all sides the Spaniards con-
tinue robbing and plundering. In the
meantime these sage. gossiping COM
| missions from the United States are
| slipping cool drinks by day and seeking
shelter by night, with mortal dread OF
fever, yet absolutely imperovious to
the demands of humanity.
| 1.-THE situation created by this uncer-
ltainty is still further aggravated by the
| fact that no one dareS SOW crops or
cultivate lands until the present chaotic
| conditions show some rays of light to
guide agricultural efforts There is no
work for idle hands. Day by day the
number of beggars, thieves and pros
titutes increases, while the number Of
those able to relieve distress shr1nks In
the same proportion. Thus far the
| United States has sent in the name of
humanity mere pittance of a million
rations and the Red Cross Society has
sent two cargoes of supplies, as TO
whose distribution and disposal there
have been many unfaVorable COM
ments. How far can such relief be
expected to go?
1.-THE present conditions can not be
much longer protracted without sub
iecting the United States to well-de-
served criticism. More than this, the
elements most in sympathy with the
United States are slowly, but surely,
falling off and joining the ranks Of the
opposition. AS you are aware, senior
| De Castro, the civil governor, only yes
terday issued orders for the arrest or
263 criminals recently released from
iaiIs and the penal colonies at Ceuta
and on the Isle of Pines. This step was
rendered necessary by the increase, the
alarming increase, in burglar1e5, nlgh-
way robberies and assaults. While the
blockade was on the city was ruled
with an iron hand and cases of assault
and robbery were almost unknown.
To-day, with the release of criminals
Il and the increase of poverty, the list Of
/. murders and hold~ups is very grave
matter In addition to the already nu-
rnerous paupers and unemployed driv-
en- to beg from sheer necessity, there
are many discharged Spanish soldiers
entirely without means of support.
Their number reaches into the thou
sands. Many boys and young girls OF
Il genteeI extraction have been thrown on
the streets to begin their lives as beg
CARS or thieves and to bring up in jails
and houses of i'll fame. Do the people
of the United States realize these
things? Does the government Of the
United States, morally responsible be-
fore the world for the future of Cuba,
intend to tolerate indefinitely delay
, which day by day makes these bad
conditions worse? ~
CAPS AND APRONS.