El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-02-17
PROGRESS In Santiago.

Providence journal.
Robert P. Porter, who has been 10
Cuba on several errsnds for the presi-
dent, declares that the province Of
Santiago has made remarkable prog
ress since the Americans first occupied
it last July. The campaign against
dirt and disease, as he graphically puts
it, has been as sharp and hot as the
charge up San Juan hill, and quite as
effective. We did not need this testi-
mony to prove the efficacy of General
Woods administrative work, but 1t Is
pleasing to have a.trained observer like
Mr.. Porter corroborate what has been
said before. The first commander of
the Rough Riders has made distinct
success at his latest post and set
high example of achievement for
the rest of our military governors. If
General Henry at Porto Rico or Cen
eral Ludlow at Havana falls short the
public is sure to point to General
Wood and ask why the conditions in
force at Santiago cannot be duplicated
at Havana and San Juan. Happily
there Is every prospect that General
Henry and General Ludlow will give
satisfaction to the American public and
the West Indian populace alike.
Mr.. Porter urges various improve
ments at Santiago, such as better roads
and deeper harbOr channel, and WISE
ly advocates large measure OF auton-
omy for the provinces. One of the
great troubles of Spanish administers
ton was the continual Interference OF
the government at Havana in the local
concerns of the rest of the island. A
certain N easure of Capitalization is OF
course necessary, but everything should
be done to keep this from becoming
burdensome at Santiago, Pinar del Rio.
and the other provincial capitals. So
far as is consistent with the wider
plans of the administration at WASH
ington, Santiago, for example, should
be allowed to govern itself. The peo-
pie of that city are no whit different
frem those of New York in demanding
home rule. Interference from the out
side always breeds discomfort and it
will be the part of wisdom to remove
as far as possible the fear of the in
habitants that the old oppressive and
centralized system of the Spsniards is
to be renewed.
The advance made in civilized meth
DDS at Santiago is not confined to such
material improvements as street clean
ing and sanitation. The local school
system has been reorganized and yes
terday thirty kindergartens, for pupils
under seven years OF age, were to be
opene3. The American idea is to train
it's children for good citizenship at the
earliest age and these Santiago kinder
eartens should be an important factor
in the regeneration of eastern Cuba. In
all our new possessions we must be-
gin at the beginning. Our task is
bound to last for years and it Is wise
to appreciate this fact and start now to
educate the youngest children for the
social and political duties of the next
generation. Thirty kindergartens in
Santiago will form an excellent basis
for the new order OF things. 1t was
DR.. Holmes who said that a mans edu-
cation began with his grandfather, and
it is just this idea that is now being
carried out in the capital of this Cuban
province. The work being done today
will tell in an intelligent and educated
populace years after General Wood
and his observation-disclosures have passed
away.