Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1899-04-14
Gen. Breckenridge Tells PrtSi-
dent About Them.
FREE GOVERNMENT UNKNOWN
He Believes That the United States
r1ade d Mistake in Recognizing
Gomez aud Says That Old ReVo-
IuffoniSf is d Bitter Enemy of
This Counfry-General Henry'S
Rule in Porto Rico.


Breckenridge, inspector general of tho
army, had a long conference with Pres
ident Mckinley as to conditions in
Cuba and Porto Rico. General BTeck-
inridge returned a few days ago from
a tour of nearly three months inspect
ing the conditions of the United States
troops in these islands. He naturally
observed the progress being made in
all directions, and the President found
his remarks so interesting as to de-
sire that he should remain with him
some time
General Brekinridge says that the
trouble in Cuba is that strife and con-
tention are rampant. It is found, he
says, in social and political life, and it
is really doubtful what the outcome
will be. 1t is understood that General
Breckinridge does not share the GUS
tomary veneration for General Gomez.
He is said to have told the President
that General Gomez is the worst enc
my the United States has, and that the
country has not done much for itself
in maintaining the side of the Cuban
IT
Breckinridge holds that Gomez is of
turbulent disposition, unsuited by ma
ture and in all ways to assist in the
establishment of a peaceful govern
ment unless he is to be the dictator of
everything. General Breckinridge has
told a number of people that Gomez
will prove a bad friend Of this country
nd cyi1 IOf ~ 70
is permitted TO have unlimited sway in
everything.
General Breckenridge told the Pres i
ident that the people of Cuba have |
never known what free government is. |
Under the Spaniards they have prac-
tically lived under a military govern
ment. Under this country they are
now existing by military laws, and |
the prospect is that when the United |
States relinquishes control Gomez and !
his army will continue a military con-
troll more or less extensive. It is
doubtful when the people will see
really free government. It is stated |
that few of the principles of this gov
ernment are enforced under the pres
ent military regime. The inalienable |
rights of American citizens, expressed |
in our constitution, are not known to !
the Cuban people. About all the law |
in existence is the same as given to |
the people by the Spaniards. Suits in |
courts are brought with much trouble |
and are not settled IL the course of ]
years
General Brekinridge is said to be |
under the imp1 ession that if this |
country exep6cts to teach the people
of Cuba the doctrines of free govern
ment the best way would be to begin
by establishing certain rights inalien-
able to the people, thereby giving them
an idea of what blessings they may en-
joy under free government. He does
not believe that distasteful Spanish
laws should continue in force, in addi-
ton to military laws.
In speaking Of Porto Rico, General
BIeckinridge said that the people there
show every evidence of contentment
now. They are like children with new
toys, but throughout the island brigan-
Gage is beginning to increase. General
Breckenridge does not believe that one
fifth Of the people are hostile to the
United States. The annexation senti-
ment has largely increased, baing add
ed to by Spaniards, who find all con-
nection with their former country
severed. The people are contented with
the military government under the
direction of General Henry. He has
followed the example of General Wood
by spending the income from taxes in
improving the island, thus giving EN-.
ployment to many people But hunger,
says General Breckinridge threatens
to stare the people in the face unless
congress soon acts and furnishes a
market for the goods of the island re
commerce and giving en-
ployment to idle people. When Spain
owned Porto Rico the markets of
Spain were at least open to the pro-
ducts of the island and there was much
business in this direction Since the
war Spain has closed her markets
tight against Porto Rico, and the
United States have not opened com
merce to the people. This has result
ed in an over-production of goods and
a stagnatio1i in the markets and com
mercial world. If the ports of the
United States were freely opened to
Porto Rican goods business would
probably increase and contentmert
would become general and lasting. but
nothing can be done until congress
meets in the fall and takes action
The restriction of franchises in both