The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-09-26
Ill c.r..rara.,,s Q, u, post.

Eys1.al Corrsspordshee q Tie Post
Havana Cuba. sept. 1.-THE political
situation IN Cuba at the present time j.
the question OF most importance TO the
people The material development OF tho
island f. In allegiance until the matter OF
Toy,rument has been more clearly dehned
There are few large purchases, either %
real estate or business properties- This
condition 0! affairs works a great hard
ship 20 points IN the interior Of the island
dependent upon the development Of the
natural resources for a recupeTalon from
the favages Of war. The traveller In the
interior OF Cuba passes mile after mile OF
ruined ana abandoned homesteads, and
although Il has been nearly q year since
the actual terminal iOn % hosull;ies, little
has been done except IN the vicinity OF
towns, IN the way Of cultiyating the SOL
and rebuilding homes. Of course this Is
10 reflection upon the American govern
mcnJ Il Is a condition beyond their con-
troll The people Of the island, taking
Cuba as a whole are poverty stricken
There Is no money IN the country win
which u begin the rebuilding Of Cuba. In
Havana and Cleufueg0s there is a great
deal OF wealth but this wealth IS held
principally by owners Of large property,
city business men. and the money lenders
These men OF wealth are holding al0of
from investments of any kind until they
are satisfied that a government Will be es-
taJlished that will give them ample pro-
lection IN all Of their interests. A. Is well
known here. the vast majority Of property
and visible wealth Is held by SpaEiards-
Many Of those have sent their sur
Plus cash TO foreign banks principally
those in Europe and il is currently be
lieved that some Ss0JUO0,c9 belonging 10
this island. Is now held b. European
banks. Nearly every steamer leaving Ha-
vana carries the family Of some rich
Spaniard. returning 10 Spain until affairs
are settled here The owner expects him
self 10 come back later and watch the
progress Of affairs. There Is very little
amalgamatiOn so far between the Span
lard and the Cuban. There is too much
for each To remember. On the surface ii
appears that Cuba is entirely pacifed; and
the AnglC-SaXOn would believe, judging
from his own experience in the recon-
SJructiOn day IN the South. that few
years viii remove the bitter feeling en-
gendeTed by civil strife. But few oc-
currcnces. lately noted in the local press.
have made those Spaniards who took
prominent part in the volunteer service
during the insurreCtiou, very uneasy.
sumo month"; ago the Itdu ldlioE U NAAc
largest furnishing establishment in Ha-
Vana. a man who had been lieutenant
in the volunteer service, went frem Ha-
ydna To a small town near by for the pur-
pose Of visiting his family. While there
n was mobbed and killed by a Cuban
Tabbe. Since that time, the head of the
firm has gone to Spain TO make his home.
OF course he has made no public state
Tent of his reason for so doing, but 1t is
quite evident, taking into consideration
all the facts, that he believed his life
unsafe here. How deep this feeling Is,
and how long il Will last, are matters
which cannot be decided from the North
American point Of view. Time only will
tell In the meanwhile the conservative
element OF the island the solid business
men and the reputable professional ele-
ment are seriously considering anneXa-
ton 10 the United States as the only
practicable solution of the Cuban prob
lem.
TIkinC the Census.
The work OF the census enumerators Is
regarded as the first step toward the es-
Enlistment of a recognized form of gov
eminent. The reception b. the people of
the proclamation Of President Mckinley
In regard TO this matter has been accord
"a
individual critic. The pro-Spanish papers
have pointed out that the President never
mentioned the word independence. in
his message. The prO-Cuban papers, on
the other hand, have. as rule, regarded
the massage as complying with all of
President Mckinley's promises regarding
such independence. The single English
paper published in this city has preserved
ii discreet silence on the subject At
present there il a three-sided discussion
In the city. as follows: The Lucha. claim
ing 10 be an independent Cuban paper,
wlth policy suited to the condition OF
affails at the time of publication COM
ments very layOrably upon the proclama-
ton and uphOlQs the American admins
uauon, the Discussion. representing the
IaDld cuban element, = reflex of the opiu-
ions OF the late cuban assembly while
as rule, IL C.lIlC!SCs everything possible
u CrlllclSe, hds regarded the prOclama-
lion very fdVOrably. while the Diario de
II Marina. representing the staid Span
lsh element OF The Island has taken
great pains 10 point out what has been
lett oul 81 the Presidents proclamation.
particularly regarding Independence The
proclamation since its publication, has
been the talk OF the cafes and clubs ana
Wherever politicians and public men have
cOisIesated. Every utteTanCe by the
president or any Cabinet Official and
every editorial OF a NEWSPAPER OF aDV
closely by these people. as giving an in
cicduen OF what the United States in
tends 10 DO Ia Cuba. Unquestiona oily a
large majority OF the rrVoIutionarv al
lnrut now in power in thi, island ara
stra!sht-Out advocates OF absolute ind--
prhdrnce. They went into the army Tor
me purpose OF personal gain. They are
IN political positions to-day for The same
purpose, and they know that under an
independent government they would hay.
greater opportunities for becoming per-
sohA!iN, very nch. This Is OF course the
history OF al Latin-Amcricau republ Is
with very few exceptions Fr.m rbfs
statement must he excepted a resprcts,bI,
percentage OF really GOOD and able men
Nhu I've ~ h-Srt the welfare OF their
country above all else; but. as Is true of
al countries dependent uron pouular
elections Tor their government officials
II - not generally the. latter element
thr country, BUT rather the element
which has most at stake, viz those VII,
expect 10 profit by the way elections 20.
Spanish Bu.incs, M.,hrdS.
cuba is very much OF u KALEIDOSCOPE.
with the view shifted, there is a new, col
orins and new arrangement Of the par
ucles polite. The Spanish residents and
The 'ubanr art essentially different Tbe
SpdniaTd is Industrious. thrifty. acouisi-
tive; h. possesses the business traits of
the Hebrew. Very likely he exceIs hin. for
u is weIl-known fact ths, the Hebrew
cannot compete win him. His shop is
his home, and he r. there always. He
boards and lodges mis- clerks. and has
them with him always. \ table is SET
Tor them in the shop, and the proprietor
eats with them, and cultivates a feeling
or equality. No locks are permitted. and
hr searches their trunks or boxes II any
Thing Is missing. He gives them their
board and lodging and a few dollars a
week and the remainder OF their wages
he holds. When he gets ready 10 retire
from business he SELLS his business 10 two
or th;ec OF the most promising Of his
icrce, allowing as q credit what is due
mem ~ wages, requiring them 10 assume
the other obligations FOR wageF. and nav
cash consideration annually. - NAV be
agreed upon. Thus the Spaniard thTlves
and Ais clerks accumulate property They
ale earnrat and IirrIrss In his int.r1st :. /