The times., 1899-12-12
SCHOOLS NEEDED IN CUBA.
Mai. Gen. Leonard {. Wood speak
ON the Matter


the Matter.
In an address before the American Aux
fiary OF the Cuban Provisional Red Cross
yesterday in the red parlor cf the E6bItr
House Mai Gen. Leonard c. Wood spoke
OF the conditions surrounding many thou-
sands Of the children Of Cuba. He said
What is needed in Cuba more than
anything else. Is schools that VIII give tHs
children an education in the rudimentary
branches-rsadinE and writing. preferably
in both Spanish and Engllsh-aHd arithme-
tie, and training in practical work These
children should be taught some usefuI art
by which they viii be afterward able TO
support tsemseIves. You viii aut that
they are bright. Taey are quick to comprs-
bend. and they make rapid strides when
given a teacher Many 90 them win prove
capable and ambitious of pursuing profess
sional studies.
There is an enormous number CT chill
/ oren there who, while not exactly home
I less. are drifting about and not receiving
any education. There are very few hos
pitais which are hospitals 10 the proper
secse ct the word. and there are no proper
asylums for children An idea whIch /
have had for some time is TO build up in
the different provinces 0t Cuba schools
which viii not only teach the elementary
branches. but combine with that teach.uz
courses In the practical mechanical and
agricultural arts. In other words intro
duce the Industrial features as they ars
known in many Of the schools Of this
country.
There are a great many buildings in
Cuba which are available for such pur-
{ poses if the right method be followed II
( securing them For instance. IN the prov
iuce Of Santiago. IN the very heaIthful lit
tie village OF Marabou, there are nine new
/ unOcCupisd buildings which were built for
hospital purposes. They contain eG0 beds.
The location is excellent. and plenty q
the best agricultural land in Cuba is avail
able Immediately adjoining the buildings.
These buildings would meet the needs
Of many hundreds Of children and all rhae
would be required would be ths furnishing
II you viii take hold o. the work 70
practical way and begin with a definite
idea, and start. IL possible. only one largo
school you VIII find that you are doing
tremendously large work and one for Which
the Cubars viii forever bless You.
The only danger I can see IS In forming
a number Cf small institutions scattered
here and there. 1 believe that unless they
are made large enough TO become great fu-
sritutiCus. with perfect system and control
with no haphazaTt methOIs. the plan win
not be a success. Il is a most interesting
field. and thsre VIII be no trouble In getting
good man and women to take charge of
them
General Wood emphasized the fact that
the work which the American Auxiliary
of the Cuban Provisional Red Cross under
Mrs Estes G.. RathbOne is attempting i4
one which viii require the most earnest
EFFORT and business methods to bec0ms
successful
said. and organize a good working com
mittee with people TO enter the work who
have had practical experience ia teach
ing in the industrial schools Of this eouu-
try. the returns I'm giving these children
a clean. decent bringing up win BE- very
great The work must be conducted on
business principles Unless it be conducted
on hard business lines it viii fail
Few people in this country appreciate
the extent Of the work which has been
undertaken The thousands OF children
Who need the help that this society pro-
poses to extend 10 them win never bs
reached unless there be specially equipped
men and women az the head OF the schools
90 manage the work Agriculture is ths
science that should be taught. I think.
ab0ve all. and unless men who are ac-
quanJsd with methods OF conducting such
education be brought into the wOrk, tbs
feature VIII most likely fail
The force Of teachers from this coun-
Try would not need TO be so large for th5
people OF Cuba themselves would make
Up the larger portion OF instructors And
10 viii not cost great deal TO maintain
such en- establishment. The climate is
such that the needs in the way OF cloth
ing and winter requirements are the very
lowest. / 90 not think ir would cost more
than 20 cents a day per child to maintain
the school.
Prominent Cubans here expressed their
satisfaction upon hearing che statement
that General Wood has been determined
upon by the President to succeed General
Brooke as Governor of Cuba The word
military. il Is understood, is 20 bs
omitted
General Garcia said TO Times reporter
concerning this change. General Wood ID
in thorough sympathy with the Cubaus.
and understands the situation He VIII. I
know. do away with all the ceutraIizing 2
methods employed to-day By the Havana
authorities, which retard the rseOnstruC-
tiCn of the country. General Wood VIII
find a way 70 give employment 90 the un-
{ employed men. who received no attention
from MajCr General Brooke Under the
policy OF Cancellation which has marked
} General Woods work I'm the province OF
Santiago you VIII see rapid progress made.
He viii consult with the iEhabits and learn
their wishes which was never done By Ma
iOr General Brooke There VIII be little
Z or no friction and the outcome viii be the
gradual transition 20 the Independence
guaranteed and promised By the United
Z Grara=