The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-27
Island Natives Have Thus Far Made
No Initiatory Move Toward
Home Government.
OPINION OF ANNEXATIONISTS
NO COUNTRY HAS SUCCESSFULLY
COLONIZED A TROPICAL ONE.
Vote Of Island Would Probably Re-
independent Statehood.

HAVANA, July 26-In an interview with
General Gomez, printed in La Lucia. the
Cuban commander was quoted as saying:
Never has a plague more affecting fallen
upon Cuba than the 100000 asked from
President Mckinley for the Cuban soldiers.
The money has been the cause Of i'll will
among those who by right and justice
should be eternally united. The history OF
the men is curious. 1t was thought at first
that 1t ought not to have beeen received,
as it was a dishonor to the Cubans. The
aspect is changed now, and 1T should cause
pain to see wandering through Havana,
soldiers begging for what it was supposed
they would refuse.
1.-The formation of the supplementary
lists of persons incapacitated In the war and
the work of payment has already cost 5000.
This money was furnished by Governor
General Brooke. as the Cubans do not pos
sess the ground on which they tread. Those
who do not know the work and expense in
VOWED are naturally impatient and hold re-
sponsible some one who in no way helped
to get the money nor asked any one to re-
ceive it. Those whose names appear on
the supplementary lists should not be paid
before those who are on the original lists,
so as to preserve order. AS the money was
the gift of the American government 1 am
panied by the noninterest shown by my
soldiers, who were trained to 80 hungry
on their march to liberty. The republic will
pay them, but when is uncertain. lmpa-
thence will not further matters
Ell Diario de Mariana says editorialy In
to-day's issue that the working classes in
Havana are in very bad condition. the
cost Of living in the city is high. owing to
the extravagant tendencies Of the upper
classes having raised prices. Continuing
the article says: Havana city was built
for rich people and reforms should be in
augurated, modelled on the American plan
of building clean. cheap houses for the
working people, with the prospects that
they may become the owners of the same by
paying a small premium, thus encouraging
thrift and self-help. The Cubans, so far,
have not shown any private initiative, but
if the Americans really wish the country to
progress, with some guarantee OF an effort
on their part, the Cubans themselves will
step forward and help in the matter"
A deputation from Guines visited General
Brooke to-day for the purpose of Directing
to the appointment of Senior Hernandez as
mayor of the town. They said they did not
object to the man so much as to the system
of selection, under which few names were
put into a hat and one was drawn out II
proved to be that Of Senior Hernandez. who
received the appointment
A prominent official here to-day said, re-
garding the annexationist paper started at
Puerto Principe few days ago, that two
things were to be considered. First, that
no tropical country has ever successfully
administered government without ever
lasting fights and revolutions, and, secondly,
that no country had ever successfully COL
onized a tropical country, citing in the lat
ter connection England and India and the
West Indies. The official added that Eng
land had merely sent good men to India
and the West Indies for a term OF years
and was continually sending new blood to
replace those leaving the colony.
"If," said the official, 1.-The Cubans are
unfit for self-government, they are equally
unfit for statehood. The sentiment of the
Cubans desiring annexation is probably IN
favor Of statehood or nothing
Senior Becardi, mayor of Santiago, has
forwarded to Governor General Brooke his
resignation, asking that it be Immediately
accepted ana stating that both General
Wood, the military governor Of the DEPART
ment Of Santiago, and General Castillo, the
civil governor, have refused TO accept 1t.