The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-05
OFFICIALS GRATIFIED.
Expect There Will Be Little Trouble
Now i'm RecOnstructing Cuba.

WASHINGTON. April 4.-The news of
tie Cuban Assembly's vote for immediate
dissolution and dsbandment of the army
was received here with relief and gratif-
cation. The prolonged struggle over the
payment of the Cuban army had begun
TO exhaust the patience of the authorities
here. The administration now looks for
more rapid progress in the work of recon-
struction of the island, and less difficulty
in instituting reforms generally. Mr.. Con
zales de Quesada, who has represented Cuba
here for a long period, but was deposed by
the Assembly owing to his mission 10 Co.
mez, looking to the acceptance of the 3d.
10000 payment offered by the United States
but of which disposition Mr.. Quesada has
never received any official word, when
shown the Associated Press dispatch to-
right said: II am very glad that the AS
sembly, after becoming convinced that the
United States would not authorize any loan
has shown its willingness to cooperate with
the United States i'm the dissolution of the
army. The country now will commence TO
enter an era of reconstruction, and steps
will be taken to permit the Cubans to
tablsh their government. Once the army is
dissolved, a colonial system of military and
rural guards will be established. and in all
probability without a moments delay. This
force which also will take in the police in
the cities, is likely 10 muster between 10000
and $1,000 men throughout the island. There
will have TO be a census of the island. look
ing especially to the male population and
number of males of age The next step
probably will be for the United States TO
call a convention of the Cuban people, when
Il constitution will be drawn up and sub
mitted to the people. This constitution be-
ing adopted. an election under it will be
held and the government finally formed
1t is 10 be supposed that the new republic
will enter into such close relations with
the United States that its economic future
will be assured by having the markets of
this country assured TO sugar tobacco and
other Cuban products. On the other hand,
the United States exercising a strong in
fiuence in the foreign policy of Cuba need
rot fear that the European powers will take
advantage of the weakness of the govern
ment of Cuba as a base of injury to the
United States. The people of Cuba have
shown in this incident Of the Assembly with
respect 10 the payment from the United
States rare judgment and such qualities
of prudence and patriotism that the friends
OF Cuba must not judge the capacity of the
Cuban people for self-government from this
small group of men who make up the As
sembly but who now have corrected their
error. Guided by the United States. the
Cuban people will be able to establish d
government. owing TO its close relations
with the United States. will be stable and
progressive and modelled after the fashion
of this great republic here"
Mr.. Quesada said the actual number OF
Cuban troops was about $1,000 The vote,
2f TO 4 shows the lack of "A quorum on the
basis of the original organization of forty
eight members. but the apparent signif-
canoe of this is weakened by the fact that
numerous members of the Assembly left 1t
without ceremony on account OF its attitude.
Cuban and Porto Rican Customs.
WASHINGTON, April 4.-Assistant Sec
retary OF War Meiklejohn gave out for pub
Continued on Second Page.)