The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-12-29

CRlSlS mas Deen GeaCneu III
~ the performance of Ameri-
~ can duty in Cuba and 1t is
very fortunate that the
man at the head of affairs there Is
such a clean-cut man as Leonard
Wood. We trust our readers will par
dor us for dwelling so much upon this
subject, but 1t seems essential that the
significance of what is transpiring in
Cuba just now should be generally
understood.
A dispatch from Havana printed in
yesterdays Philadelphia Press con-
tained this information: Eight more
arrests were made in the custom hOu .
frauds today and warrants are out for
the re-arrest of three Of the appraisers
recently released. Deeper investiga.
tion shows a gigantic conspiracy to
defraud. Governor Wood has an
nounced his intention of supporting
Collector Bliss and will compel the
courts to decide impartially and ac-
cordng to the evidence. The entire
judicial system has been discovered to
be in sympathy with the accused men.
The government intends. il possible,
to make an example Of those against
whom there is absolute proof, and will
endeavor to strike terror to the 9TH
ers." supplementary TO the foregoing,
we next quote from the Havana corre-
spondence of the Sun: THE sympathy
of the community is all with the pris-
oners and against Colonel Bliss. al
though prior to the arrests gossip free
ly accused some of the men now await
ing trial. AS soon as the authorities
moved however, the tendency to re-
sist the governing powers, which is SO
strong in these people. asserted itself
resulting in abuse of Colonel Bliss and
those assisting him in the prosecu-
tion. The end of the investigation is
not reached. The whole mercantile
and political community is still eXeT-
cised over the revelations, past and
prospective"
To understand what this means It IS
necessary to know that honesty in pub
lie office, and especially in the revenue
service, was absolutely unknown dur
ing Spain's control Of Cuba, and ncith-
er Spaniards snor Cubans were ever
taught to appreciate it. Cubans Of
excellent habits in private life and of
the highest standing socially, have al
ways regarded corruption in the hand
ling Of the public funds as something
to be expected and as not especially
wrong. George KEENAN, who, as vice
president Of the Red Cross society and
special commissioner for the outlook,
has spent a great deal of time in close
study Of the Cuban character, asserts
that the two greatest defects in that
character are personal uncleanliness
and an almost total lack of a sense Of
moral responsibility in positions where
the handling of other peoples money
is involved.
When Colonel Bliss took charge Of
the Havana custom house he found
it literally honey-combed with rotten
ness. All kinds of frauds had been
practiced in the invoicing of goods.
and scarcely a man in the service
failed to share in the ramihed system
of bribery in vogue. He began the
cleaning out as soon, and pushed it as
rapidly, as could be. He first cleaned
out the Spanish scoundrels, whcreat
the Cubans applauded vociferously.
Now that he is applying the same rule
with Yankee impartiality to the scions
of aristocratiC Cuban families who had
| imagined that the turning out of the
Spanish crooks was simply a transf er
to themselves of the coveted oppOr-
| tunities for plunder the shoe is on the
other foot and the laugh turns into q
lusty howl; but there is a man at the
| helm who will see the good work car
ried through to a finish. regardless OF
| protests or opposition, They cannot
bluff Leonard Wood. He is a surgeon
| who knows that the cancer yields only
| 10 the knife, and he will cut out this
| false conception Of public responsible
| ity if il temporarily converts every
| Cuban into an enemy. lie knows that
| time will vindicate his policy and sub
| sequcnt generations bless his stout
| backbone.
a Fenian expedition might be uti.
| lized to so mp and settle the Alaska