New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-12

fell st-born because Il failed to enlist the
sympathy of those sections OF the island In
which passive support Of the instruction was
strongest
From the day of Torals surrender to the date
of the formal American occupation Santiago had
enjoyed the much-coveted advantages OF poiit-
zeal and economical independence. It's revenues
were its own and under the wise and vigorous
administration OF General Wood were maze 10
yield local benefits hitherto unreaiized' IL was
the keenest desire OF the people here to maintain
as long as possible this state OF semi-ndepeh,
dence, and In difference to their wishes ueneIai
Wood proposed to Washington that aiter jan
uary | a modified federal system or controi ne
introduced instead of reverting to the old span
ism scheme of Capitalization. Had this plan
been adopted each province would nave re-
tained reasonable measure OF nome RUE, anu
only nuestions OF general administration would
have fallen to the Jurisdiction of the general
insular government. ,
This project was disapproved. however on the
ground that conditions were not ripe yet Tor
such n division OF political powers. Since Janu-
airy this province. far more advanced tnan the
other In the process of political reorganization.
has had 10 keep the step set in Havana Tor us
belated neighbours: and as a consequences some
thing OF the old discomfort with Havana meth
DDS has returned.
sANTIAGos CONTRIBUTIONS.
From January / to April 1 Santiago sent to
the capital about 100000 of her meagre Gus
toms revenues. receiving in exchange no visible
benefit Of public character Since April the
central government has begun to expend GER
tain sums in Eastern Cuba. but these do not
fairly offset that sections share Of contribu-
tions to the insular treasury. The provincial
authorities have also been deprived Of power to
spend over $4,000 without the approval or
Board Of Secretaries chosen from and living III
Havana. With mail communication slow and dill
ttlt nd M har a
this restriction has practically stopped all en-
terprses undertaken TO relieve urgent public
distress. Santiago Is therefore the focus OF an
agitation for q decentraliZeG insular govern
ment and the so-called Cuban Federal party
has its largest following here The aim OF this
party is the ultimate separation OF Eastern ana
Western Cuba, and were such separation 10
be assured this end OF the island would well
come a speedy annexation to the United states.
With partial or complete provincial autonomy
Santiago-or Santiago and Puerto Principe
lens which now give rise to public discomfort.
A mueh-needed reform In the judicial system is
one Of these At present there Is only one court
Of original jurisdiction in Santiago Province,
sitting here in Santiago City. and to the people
OF the country districts the difficulty and ex-
pense Of instituting suits are practically bar
10 justice. Minor courts should be established
in other cities Of this widely scattered prov
nce, with appeal. II necessary, to the Supreme
Court here. Such an extension OF the judicial
machinery would give general protection not
only in name, but in fact. This province Is
eager also to establish school system on lines
OF its own. and for this reason has protested
against many Of the reductions in municipal
tax rates which have been promulgated by the
Havana Cabinet. Problems OF local taxation
could possibly be best settled by the different
municipalities themselves. For what is dis
carded in rich city like Havana as an UNI
necessary form OF income may be one OF the
necessary sources OF revenue In a smaller and
poorer town.
Much may be said in support OF the federal
istic views OF the Cuban leaders in Santiago
Certainly the school of local self-government is
the only one in which the Cuban population
can be trained to wholesome ideas of political
responsibility and public duty Accustomed for
generations to the sale Of justice and to Migrant
corruption in public office. only a long and pa
tent training can eradicate the native Idea that
government exists solely for the benefit OF those
who possess and control its machinery. General
Wood is an active believer In the BENEFITS or
primary education and he has given the ma
lives here the fullest possible chance to work
out their apprenticeship In practical admins
tration. Not single American holds an ONCE
in the civil service in this province; but every
branch of IL is subject to rigid inspection. and
money accounts remain absolutely In American
hands. Such q system has worked admirably,
and will continue to work admirably under
either the centralized or .decentralized form of
government With a moderate measure or
home rule granted 1t, this province would to-day
be virtually self-governing, with only an Amer
lean financial control, This Is an ideal OF free
Cuba which does not meet perhaps the desires
Of the native politician the native senti-
mentalist unburdened with property interests.
But IL is the most substantial political ideal yet
evolved in Cuba, and its practical value is like
~ to be emphasized as the process of establish
ing stable native government In the other por-
lions Of the island goes prosperousy on