Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-10-30
CONDITIONS N CUBA
Fitzhugh Lee, Military Governor of
Havana Province, Talks Of
the Islands.
Thinks Cubans Will Soon Be Cap.
able Of and Should Have Self
Government.
People Are Improving Rapidly and
Are Making the Island
Prosperous.

Washington, D. c., Oct SO.-Maj.
Gen. Fitz Hugh Lee, who arrived in
Washington last Saturday night. dis
cussed the social, political and indus
trial conditions of Cuba in an inter-
view here Sunday. Gen. Lee says the
island under the existing protection of
the United States is improving every
hour. He says there is little friction of
any kind in Cuba, and that the people
are slowly but surely rebuilding their
war-wasted homes and repairing their
crippled fortunes. He thinks that life
and property are now secure on the
island, and that Cubans generally are
not abusing their newly-acquired free
dom.
Gen. Lee said that this happy condi-
ton of things was due largely to the
salutary restraint exercised by Ameri-
can military authority. The native pop
ulation. he says, is inexperienced in
both the theory and practice of self
government.
Gen. Lee realizes that the United
States government is pledged to grant
independence to Cuba after it has been
thoroughly pacifed, and he feels
strongly that the pledge should be full
filed as swiftly as practicable. Until
life cali be protected by a purely Cuban
government, however, he thinks the
island should remain under the govern
~. "A
Cuba generally is doing Well" began
Gen. Lee. THE condition of the island
is quiet and the revolution has given
them self-respect and self-reliance
They have come out of their fight hope
full and confident. The people of the
island are today eager TO make the
most of their opportunities.
Il am inclined To think that their
impulses are generally in the right di-
rection. But, of course, in the theory
and practice of government they
are wholly without experience. Great
care should be taken that this people
do not, in the buoyancy of their free
dom. commit errors which Will set
them back for years. A little caution
now Will stand them in good stead later
on. They are like so many children
fresh from sehool-eager. restless, act
i've, but wanting the balance wheel of
prudence.
Life and property are now, under the
protection of the United states. abso-
lutely secure in Cuba There is little
friction among the inhabitants. The
people are wisely restrained by the
civil and military authority, without
being intimidated or depressed, or
made to feel so. They simply RECOGNIZES
that it is best for all concerned to re-
spect the laws and 10 aid in the general
development.
Among certain Cubans there is a
deep-seated prejudice against some
men who, the cubans think whether
reasonable or not. viii not say-op-
pressed the Cubans under Spanish rule,
would unqucstionaby make short work
follow conflicts of a deplorable charac-
ter. That prejudice is strong today.
ana general throughout the island.
II am aware that the United States
government is pledged definitely 10
grant independence 10 Cuba after the
island has been pacified. | believe that
promise should be fulfilled just as
quickly as we can fulfill il in reason
and in justice. This government has,
lin a measure. taken upon itself respon-
sibility for the future success of the
island, and we are joined by every con-
sideration of duty and expediency to
youchsafe to the people of Cuba an OPP
portunity TO prosper naturally and
without unnecessary obstacles. For
that reason the United States should
continue to protect life and property in
the island and to insure for the people
the blessings of civilization just as long
as that protection is made necessary
by the peculiar social and political con-
dition of the people.
ut is needless to say that the indus
trial prosperity of Cuba depends wholly
upon the manner in which the law is re-
spected by the inhabitants. state is
no better than its people make 1t, and
its prosperity is determined by its po-
litical and social conditions. II Cuba is
to be prosperous she must recognize
and abide by those standards which OBJ
tain in civilized communities. The right
to live, to acquire and to keep what is
honestly acquired must be recognized
throughout Cuba, if the great resources
of the island are to develop.
THE industrial situation is improv
ing Tobacco mas yielded satisfactory
results this year. The future sugar
crop will depend largely on the amount
of capital which goes to the island to
rebuild the machinery destroyed by the
war. The machinery is expensive and
much money is required to operate SUI
gar plantations. Capital is going into
Cuba gradually, but not nearly as fast
as it would if investors We're sure that
property would remain safe for years
and be protected by government
strong enough to enforce law and order.
The island is an exceedingly attractive
field for investment.
THE Cubans seem to be adaptable
and thrifty. they are already rebuilding
to some extent their war wasted homes
and repairing their crippled fortunes.
and will continue to do this patiently
and perseveringly if given a fair chance
and if not disturbed by political agita
ton. Nothing but unwise and illiberal
administration OF liz government can
retard the sure development of The is
land With fixed conditions and the as
surance that law viii be respected and
life and property made secure the Gu
ban people viii. under the wise protec-
ton of the United Siates, steam. i'm
prove their social, pollt.cai and indus
trial status.
hot n p