The Washington weekly post., 1899-10-31

IN Washington from New York late sat
urday night. discussed the social. pOlti-
cal and industrial condition OF Cuba Ia
an interview yesterday. Gen. Lee believes
that under the existing pSOtectorate Of
the United States Cuba Is improving every
hour He saws there is little friction OF
any kind a. the island and that the pe0-
PIE there are slowly but surely rebuilding
their war-yasted homes and repairing
their crippled fortunes He thinks that
life and property are secure in Cuba and
that the Cubans generally are not abusing
their new.y-acquired freedom.
Cen Lee believes that this happy condi-
ton Of things is due largely to the salu-
tary restraint exercised b. American mill
tary authority, and he thinks long pc
ROD OF prosperity will follow. provided
wise counsels prevail and the protection
OF the United States continues throughout
the island until the people have had time
10 adapt themselves 20 the change in their
conditions. "The native population" he
says. 'fs quite inexperienced in both the
theory and the practice OF self-govern-
rnent"
Gen. Lee realizes that the United
States government IL pledged 10 grant in
dependence 10 the island after 1t has been
thoroughly pacifed and he feels strongly
that that pledge should be fulfilled as
swiftly as practicable Until life and prop
erty can be protected by purely Cuban
government, however. ne thinks the island
should remain under the government of
the United States
Conditions Are Improving.
Cuba. on the whole, is doing we'll" be-
gan Gen. Lee. The condition OF the ISL
and Is improving. The Cubans are tract
able and quiet, and the revolution has
given them self-respect and self-reliance.
fhey nave come out OF their fight hopeful!
ana confident. The people Of the island
are to-day eager to make the most of
their opportunities.
4 m inclined 10 think that their i'm
pulses are generally in the right dIrec
lion. But of course, in the theory and
practice Of self-gOvernment they are
wholly without experience Great care
should be taken that this people do not.
III the Duoyancy OF their freedom. commit
errors which will set them back for wears.
\ little caution now VIII stand them in
good stead later on. They are like so
many children fresh from school-eager.
restless, active, but wanting the balance
wheel Of prudence.
Life and property are now. under the
protection of the United States, absolute
iy secure in Cuba. There Is little friction
among the Inhabitants. The people are
wisely restrained by the civil and military
authority without in any way being in
tlhlcated or oppressed or made 10 feel
best Tor the interests Of all concerned, to
50. They simply recognize that il is
respect the laws and 10 aid in the gen
eral development, ..... ....- ..... =, .
There is among certain Cubans a deep
seated prejudice against some men, who,
the EUbdns think, whether reasonably or
not / won't say oppressed the Cubans
under Spanish rule; and If given a free
ron me Cubans would unIuestionably
make short work Of them. Then, Of
course, there might follow conflicts of
deplcra6le character. That prejudice is
to-day general throughout the Island.
PT0,ertUraIe sh0nId Continue.
'T am aware that the United States gov-
eTnment is pledged definitely to grant H.
dependence to Cuba, after the island has
been paciited, and I believe that promise
should be fulfilled just as swiftly as we
can, in reason and justice--This govern
ment has, in a measure, taken upon itself
responsibility for the future SUCCESS of
the island, and we are enjoined by every
consideration of duty and eXpediency to
Vouchsate TO the people there an uppor-
tunity TO prosper, naturally and without
unnecessary obstacles. For that reason
tect life and property in the island, and TO
insure for the people the blessings OF civ
lliZation, just so long as that protection
is made necessary by the peculiar social
and political condition of the people.
II Is needless TO say that the indus
trial prosperity Of Cuba depends wholly
upon the manner in which the law is re-
spected by the inhabitants. A state is no
better than what its people make It, and
lJS prosperity is determined by its poIiti-
car anu social conditions. If Cuba is to
De prosperous, she must recognize and
aDioe Dy those standards which obtain
IN civilized communities. The right Ia
i've to acquire, and keep what is hon
eSty acquired, must be recognized
throughout Cuba as fixed, If the greaf
resources OF the island are TO develop.
Assurance Is Needed.
''The Industrial situation is improvins
Tobacco has yielded satisfactory results
this year. The future sugar erop viii
depend largely on the amount of capital
which goes TO the island to rebuild the
machinery destroyed by war. This ma
chinery is expensive, and much money
is required TO operate sugar plantations
Money Is going into Cuba gradually. but
nothing Ike as fast as II would If in
"estors We're sure that property would
remain safe for years 10 come. and be
projected by a government strong enough
10 enforce law and order.
CUBA IS an eXceedinglv attra ctI.,a 6a,1
for investment. The Cubans seen. n he
adaptable and thrifty. They are rebuilding
already 10 some extent their war-vasted
homes and repairing their crippled for
tunes, and will continue to do this patiaat-
ly and perseveringly II given a fair cbanee
aHd-no disturbed by political agitation
Nothing can retard the sure devel0pment
OF the island bat an uEwise and iIliberaI
administration of its government With
fixed conditions, and the assurance that
law will be respected and life and prop
erty made secure, the Cuban people viii.
under the wise protection of the United
States, steadily improve their social. Do
IJieal. and industrial status.-
whether or not they desire independ-
enCe. whether or not they are IN favor
OF annexation 10 the United States. and
whether or not Il would be wise for this
country 10 annex Cuba and Incorporate
Il within our political system, are ques-
tons which ] 90 not wish 10 discuss. As
a soldier, / have 40 inclination TO make
any accommodations along that line /
am only stating a condition and express
ing my personal opinion in regard TO GER
tain facts which ! have observed"
Gen. I.ce was then directly and pointed
y asked a question Of great interest TO
the people
.GeneTal." said the reporter. do Won
think the people OF cuba would De cana
bic OF sfII-ggV6Tnmrug II the United
States redeeTs its pledge and permits
them 10 organize "a Cuban Tepublicg''
The General laughed and said: Il am
rot answering conunorums"
Gen Lee expects 60 to Richmond To-
night so witness the launching OF the
ShubricK, bat VII return 10 Washington
Wednesday