New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-17
LIvELIER TINES COMING.

The deserted appearance will not last long
American officers whose duties Will keep them
In Havana for some time, and who nave peeh
looking in vain for homes. will take advantage
Of the opportunity, as will a number or Dus-
ness men from the United States who likely
TO change a short stay into a period Of pernia-
nent residence. Some OF the Spanish officers are
anxious TO secure their discharges and return
to Cuba They have property which they do
not wan, TO sacrifice. 1t would not do TO inquire
100 closely how they became possessed OF IT,
That was under the system by which they all
prohted AS Spain will not have need Of
large army in the future ii is presumed that
these officers will succeed in procuring their
discharges. Some Of them have Carst connec-
tions. and this will be an additional reason for
enabling them to return 10 Cuba
The civilian classes who are going back 70
Spain are taking their property with them or
are arranging 10 have 1t converted into cash
and forwarded TO them. The island In the future
holds nothing for them. They have pluoked 1t
10 the last feather and all OF them return rich.
To assume otherwise would be 70 assume that
,hev have NOT taken advantage OF their oppor-
tunitios No Spanish official. whether he served
under the old regime or under the regime OF
autonomy cares TO be placed in that category
Whether he was in the custom-house or in some
other branch Of the Government service. ne
would consider It reflection on his ability
When the details Of the Spanish evacuation
were first arranged. some anxiety was felt lest
a large number Of the Spanish commercial and
industrial classes should also repatriate them
selves This fear has not been realized. what
ever doubts the Spanish business men may have
had about the security OF life and properly
under the new order were quickly dissipated
TT, no
sufficient and they discover that the transition
neriod is fraugh; with less disturbance than
might have been naturally expected. In few
places in the interior Of the island. where the
Standards were few in number. they dread TO
remain in the midst Of Cubans who show an
unfriendy spirit Some are coming 70 havana
and Others are going back 10 Spain. AT Man
zanillo the greater part OF the Spanish colony
is said 10 be starting for Mexico. But these are
spanish commercial house is closing up It's bust
ness that business has been dependent on the
official system. With the end Of that system no
other course is open
A VACUUM TO BE FILLED
That a vacuum exists in Havana is patent
fact. More people are going out than are likely
n come in for many months. The rottenness
OF the Spanish military methods could be judged
during the instruction by the great number Of
officers who were always in Havana STAFF
drtv The disproportion TO those who in any
circumstance were seeing active service IN the
field was marked Since the officers have gone
The void created by their departure gives even
a stronger impression Of their numbers. They
we're literally the only class Of the population
which was TOO numerous 10 be counted. The
,oId is one which will not be filled. The Amer
can garrison will be kept out Of Havana. Ameri-
can officers will not be quartered In the city
and spread over il like cloud OF locusts.
The effect of the departure OF so many of1cers
ara armv camp-followers on the cafes OF Ha
vana was few weeks ago the subject OF in
,eres,ing speculation. II was thought most OF
them would be compelled 10 close Tor lack OF
na,~onage This will happen in some parts Of
Inc civ where the barracks we're located But
In the section which is the centre or social me-
The neighborhood Of the parque central inc
theatres and the clubs. this will not be So The
nronrietors have met the new conditions by
isas,ne their places to "enterprsing" Amert-