The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-31
WHAT OF CUBA?

DO]AS
about the conditions in Cuba so aston
ished Senator Hale that he arose in his
place in the Senate and confessed his
surprise and delight. He had no idea,
he said, that in the very short time
American occupation has continued
such radical and beneficial social and
business changes had been effected. SO
cheerful and buoyant is General
Brooke's statement, addressed as it is
in a farewell proclamation to the
Cubans, that the Senator really be-
neved Cuba would be ready to stand
alone within much shorter time than
he had thought.
We are surprised that Senator Hale
should be astonished at what has been
going on right under his eyes. Those
who have taken daily note Of the facts
as reported by reputable correspondents
in the reliable press, in the monthly Of
facial reports, in the narratives of trav-
elers, In the published correspondence
of the representatives Of American bust
ness houses in Cuba's chief cities, in the
reports of the health officials and in the
conservative Cuban press, have known
all along that wonderful change has
come over Cuba and that it is all the
more astounding that the result follows
so quickly upon the heels Of a four
years devastating war and centuries of
Spanish n1isrule in the island.
Business has revived to an extent
that surprises even those engaged in
it. Health conditions under American
application of sanitary regulations have
been superior to those Of any year in
Cuba for centuries. Cubans who have
been placed in charge Of local affairs
have. as a rule, administered them
honestly. diligently and economically;
public improvements have been under
taken that were not looked for for the
next Ave years. Most Of the people
have settled down into peace and in
dustry with CELEBRITY and satisfaction.
Distress and poverty have fallen off Ear
more than was anticipated. Hospital
service has been introduced successfully
such as the Cubans had no knowledge
Of. Schools have been re-established
and the higher institutions Of learning
are once more In the full tide Of pros
perity.
And SO along the whole line, as
General Brooke says, such has
been the success Of the new
order OF things that military
rule is now only advisory and mildly
supervisory What will be the advance
in, says three years more, on the basis
Of the past twelve months? The fact
is that within a comparatively brief
time Cuba will be so far rehabilitated
as to make the application OF tests OF
ability of the people to govern them
selves justifable. We shall know bet
ter about it when the census, now being
taken, is completed. Illiteracy prevails
to a greater extent than was supposed
and the misapprehension Of the inhabi-
tants concerning Americans and Amer
isan systems is greater than was ex-
pected. But there is reported by all
the American dSClAtS q cNA 1890 49,
ingness on the part of the better orders
or the people to learn, and to adapt
themselves to new conditions and sys-
TENS.
In the more.remote parts of the island
less progress has been made, and there
is animosity toward u.s. Among the
agitator and radical classes in the
cities, those who profit by disturbance
and the woes Of the country, there is
open hostility and attempt to organize
resistance to American domination.
Happily this class is not large and
gains very few adherents. Quite num-
Der Of bandit groups roam in the up
lands and descend from the mountains
to prey upon the people, but these are
being speedily suppressed and within
another year or two. they will be but
a memory. at least, robbers will not be
more numerous probably than IN our
own land. for the Cubans themselves
are bitterly angry ct the bandits and