New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-01
CHANGES IN HAVANA.
A DECOROUS AND ANGLO-SAXON SUN
DAY IN THE CUBAN CAPITAL.
MILITARY ELEMENT IN INsULAR POLL
TICS-A SALUTARY ORDER-POSTOF-
FICE FACILITIES INCREASED.

fBY CABLE THIBUNE1
Havana, April 3O-Havana had scarcely a
natural aspect to-day with most OF the shops
closed, and decorous Anglo Saxon quiet reigned
through the retail trade districts which FOR
merly took on an added appearance Of anima-
tion and gayety on Sundays. In conformity with
the resolution voted by the City Councils and
approved by the Civil Governor all shopkeepers
except in a few special exempted classes, shut
their doors at 10 o'clock .his morning. and this
evening the business quarter OF the city, ordl-
narily brilliant with electricity. is left deserted
and dark There has been some talk of an ap-
peal to the American military authorities to set
aside the Sunday closing decree Of the civil gov
ernment. on the ground that II Injuries individual
interests the one hand and will cause much
public discomfort on the other. but there is no
probability that Governor General Brooke will
throw any obstacles in the way OF the Sunday
closing experiment, which has behind 1t, appar-
entity a serious popular sentiment The retail
shopkeepers have formed an association to fight
the new ordinance-the grocers. bakers and coal
dealers being especially prominent in .he strug-
gle to retain their former trade privileges.
The early closing regulations for week days.
which also to go into effect shortly. provide
that shops shall be shut at 8 o'clock on ell
evenings but Saturday when the time limit Is
extended to midnight. These reforms have been
undertaken solely for the benefit OF the working
classes. and Will doubtless justify themselves
in public opinion after brief trial.
NEW POLITICAL FACTOR.
The decision reached by the committee Of
generals representing the Cuban Army to give
each discharged soldier officer a certificate
fixing the compensation equltably due him when
a Cuban republic shall have been established Ia
likely to influence very seriously the future
course OF Cuban politics. For one thing. II will
keep the army intact as a political factor. II
each private is adjudged to have a claim on the
future insular government for arrears at the
rate OF $50 for each months service, and each
major-genera at the rate of 500 The army
will naturally endeavor to hasten the organiza-
ton Of a native State. and will struggle to con-
troll its policy and It's purse-strings. Necessary
delays in the substitution OF native sovereignty
for American military control Will. OF course.
inspire unrest and suspicion in the breasts OF
these claimants, whom common interest Will
spur into strenuous political activity. Whether
the non -combatant Cubans can unite sufficiently
to check the army's influence and compel 1t to
moderate its demands is still a problem. But
the certificate scheme will prove a powerful
weapon in the hands of the army leaders for
organized Cuban treasury easily be per-
suaded that. having lived In the woods and
swamps for two years In the cause OF freedom,
he Is fully entitled to all the arrearages graf
full republic raise and pay.
KEEPING OUT FIREARMS.
Yesterdays Custom House order announcing
the Governments veto the further importa-
tion OF firearms should have a salutary effect in
the Islands present unsettled state. The exces-
sive use of firearms Is a grave menace TO public
order Concealed weapons are carried by the
thousands in this city. and constant violence is
the natural result among a people excitable
and hotheaded.
NATIVE CUBAN ARCHBISHOP.
Highly favorable comment is made here on the
choice by the Vatican OF a native Cuban for the
vacant post OF Archbishop of Santiago. The
new incumbent is Francisco de p Barnada,
whose virtues and abilities are declared to fit
him emnenty for this exalted ecclesiastical
office. The former Archbishop a Spaniard. re-
fused to remain under the American occupation
and sailed some time ago for Spain.
POSTOFFICE IN NEW QUARTERS.
The Havana postofflce transferred to-day
to new and more commodious quarters. in the
Plaza de los Armas. 1t is to be hoped that bet
ter accommodations will improve the local
vice. which still smacks OF the precariousness
habitual under Spanish rule