Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1898-06-09
PROBLEMS IN CUBA.
AMERICANS MUST AID IN ADJUSTING
MANY QUESTIONS.

DR.. Disz Says Cubans Are Incapable Of
Self Government Troops May Have to
Stay For Several Years-Property Rights
In Peril-Deadly Faction Feuds.
Dr. Ruis Diaz, a Cuban of considera-
BILE note, who was arrested and deported
by Weyler and who is now attached to
the staff of General Miles, tells an in
teresting story of conditions as they ex-
ist in Cuba today.
DR.. Diaz is not an enthusiast over
the prospect of the Cubans ever being
able to drive out the Spaniards without
the aid of the United States army. He
also doubts the capacity Of the Cubans
for self government
81 do not think the Cubans will ever
be able to drive out the Spaniards IN
aided,'' said Dr. Diaz. "It makes no
difference how much assistance they
get from the United States. The work
of the American army is cut out for it,
and that fact may as we'll be realized
now as later. believe it should be the
policy of this government to take pos
session Of the island at once, after
which, under the jurisdiction of the
United States, the Cubans should be al
lowed to decide by vote, irrespective of
previous opinion, the form of govern
ment which they may desire.
81 firmly believe it will be necessary
to keep the United States troops i'll Gu
ba fer at least two years to establish
such q government on firm footing
and get the people into shape for indie
pendent self government. For this rea-
son the army might as well go to the
island now as later, for it will have to
remain there not only for two years,
but large number of men may have to
be kept there for five years.
"The army will have to be on the is
land for at least two years because Of
the great destruction caused by the con-
tending forces This destruction has
naturally caused the people of the island
to lose confidence in one another Gu
bans are divided in opinion, and there
are Spanish property owners who would
willingly embrace any form of good
government under which their rights OF
property and person would be protect.
ed. Again. it will fall to the lot of the
United States, to a great extent, to de-
eide who are the property owners, that
their rights and titles may be respected
and the owners be given a guarantee
that they shall enjoy the fruits of their
industry. \ complete census of the is
land will have to be taken in order that
legal voting be done.
'As to the political parties of Cuba,
in my opinion the best educated and
most intelligent classes of the island
have been represented by the autono-
mists This party was composed mostly
of Cubans, who, although DESTROYS OF
seeing their country freed from Spanish
government, had no faith in complete
independence until the Cubans had
gradually learned what was meant by
, self government. These people for the
most part have refused to espouse the
insurgent cause. believing in EVOLUTION
, and not revolution. The consequence is
that, though they form the best class OF
citizens capable of self government il
+ Cuba, they are hated by those who have
been holding out in the Cuban bush fol
, three years past, and consequently il
the insurgents are allowed the privilege
a after the Spanish troops are subdued by
. our troops, an indiscriminate slaughter
of these people will take place.
''If the United States wishes to enc
o this war quickly, it should hasten a
once to capture some port OF Cuba, for
= tify it and hold it against Spain. I
y would take specially large force o
! men to gain this end, but base Of sup
: plies would be established, and if
:. should be so decided the bulk Of tn
- United States troops could be kept il
. Florida until after the rainy season
v when operations could energeticall
y commence, though think in this prob
= lem of subjugating the Spaniards tn
a question OF yellow fever will have to b
- eliminated to great extent, for it is
- part Of the island, and he who would 6
!, there must take his chances. In tn
meantime our authorities could be gel
A ting correct information concerning tn
insurgent forces and if it was foun
that their number and discipline wer
:, satisfactory they could be utilized an
the siege Of Havana be begun job
NJ Maxwell in Chicago Tribune.