The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1898-08-18

WASHINGTON, Aug. lG.-Ihe recon-
struction of affairs in Cuba, Porto Rico
and throughout the Spanish West
Indies is receiving earnest considera.
ton in official quarters, and at the
White House yesterday the president
saw a number of prominent callers in
connection with this reconstruction in
our insular dependency. General Fitz.
hugh Lee spent some time with the
president going over the condition of
Cuban affairs. While no aIalounce.
ment was made, the impression pre-.
vailed that General Lee would be one
of the Cuban military commissioners
to be named within few days. Act
ing Secretary Allen of the navy also
saw the president concerning Cuban
affairs IL is probable that an Ameri.
can naval vessel will go to Havana har.
Dor before long, and at least two naval
vessels will be ordered to Havana when
the military commission assemblies
there to determine upon the details of
Spanish evacuation. Secretary Day
also conferred with the president.
General Lee has been strongly urged
for the governorship of Cuba after the
functions of the military commission
cease. General Lee would not speak OF
the subjects discussed as the result of
his hasty trip here, beyond saying he
has been talking over matters in Cuba
generally.
Then he added: "The first work
which will have I'd be done in Cuba will
be to make arrangements by which the
municipal machinery can he put in
operation in all the towns and govern
mental machinery throughout the isl.
HA,, snk A.
be military control, suppose, until
such a time as the people interested can
organize and put into operation a gov
ernment, which should be stable and
strong enough to impartially protect the
interests of Spaniards, Americans, Gu.
bans and the people Of all other nation.
alities now on the island or who may
hereafter 60 there"
"Is there a probability of Spanish
interests suffering through the Cubans?"
"The Spanish property holders, mer-
chants and all other classes of Spaniards
naturally would unite with all the rest
OF the conservative inhabitants for the
preservation of the interests of all the
citizens, and l think they will help the
natives and the Americans to maintain
a strong, safe government This would
be natural because no class of people
would be more interested than they are
i'll maintaining property and all other
rights. The most difficult problem to
solve Is the first organization of a pre-
hminary form of government, as later
the island will be very rapidly Ameri-
canized and all such questions will take
care of themselves. AS to the proba-
bility Of the Cubans attaining a stable
government, presume that as soon as
possible proclamation will be issued
setting apart a date for the holding of q
general election for q chief executive of
the island and for legislative body, to
which all matters affecting the future
Of the island will be referred.
"This legislative body probably will
adopt a constitution and make the
proper laws to put into Operation the
political form of government. AS to
the army Of occupation which will be
necessary TO maintain our position with
respect to Cuba, $4,000 men will be
ample to garrison the whole island. OF
this number possibly $4,000 would be
stationed in and about Havana. Matan-
zas would be- the next most important
point for garrison. Other points
should be regulated by the possibilities
OF disorder that mighl take place there,
and the number of troops at the various
points will naturally be governed by
circumstances.
Properly directed Cuba will have a
great commercial future. Its unbounded
and great resources will be very rapidly
developed by American people and
capital"