New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-25
CUBAN NATIONAL LEAGUE.
GROWTH OF A NEW POLITICAL PARTY
IN THE ISLAND.
FOR CIVIL, NOT MILITARY RULE-RE-
CUPERATION IN GENERAL WILSON'S


lBY CABLE TO THE TRIBuNEl
Havana, April 24-The steady growth or 'he
Cuban National League. organized as feeder
for the so-called National party. is beginning
to attract public notice Unlike most OF the
political promoters who are trying to hold the
centre of the Cuban stage the leaders In the
Nationalistic movement have gone about their
work without the services Of brass band Iheir
methods seem to have been as effective, how
ever as they were noseless. and to-day rev
Cuban towns are unrepresented in the patriotic
League from which the new party Is 70 draw
its chief strength
AS its name indicates. the National party aims
at what is called In quarters native au-
tonomy." in others native independence. The
most significant fact about the organization Is
that its leaders are almost exclusively civilians
and it thus seems to offer basis OF opposition
TO the purely military party which Is sure 10 DE
organized sooner or later out Of the remnants
Of the Cuban army when the experiment OF
Cuban self-government is undertaken. AT pres
cnt the military elements are hopelessly divided
one faction supporting General Gomez's policy
onother siding with his chief military rival
General Rodriguez, and the disgruntled leaders
Of the Cerro Assembly General Gomez, as IS
we'll known has recently expressed the view
that Cuba is yet scarcely ripe for trial OF
political autonomy. He believes, and will try to
make his supporters believe, that the American
protectorate mad better continue for year or
two.
SCHOOLS FOR THE VOTERS.
Meanwhile, in view Of the announcement from
Washington that a census of Cuba Is in con-
temptation. the National party is working most
energeticaly to prepare the natives for any po-
lltcal functions which they may be called upon
thereafter to exercise. Each branch OF the Ma
tional League is a school for prospective cleo
tors. who are being drilled in the mysteries OF
a genuine popular franchise, OF political eau
cuses and of party rule. Two months ago Gen
eral Gomez was undoubtedly the master hgure
in Cuban politics. II the National party con-
tinues to spread and solidify 1t will soon be In
a position TO challenge his or any other purely
military leadership. The present programme OF
the National League Is hostile to the annexa-
ton Of Cuba to the United State.
TWO PACIFIED PROVINCES.
General Wilson tclegraphed from Matanzas
to-day that he was about to start on thor
ough inspection tour Of the new Matanzas-
Santa Clara Department. the trip to last about
two weeks The district General Wilson COM
mandS embraces the TWO PROVINCES WHICH nave
shown the most marked recuperation since the
war. They are apparently thoroughly pacifed
the sugar mills in both having resumed grind
ing and many OF the deserted plantations have
been reoccupien and reduced to cultivation.
General Wilson has vigorously opposed the crea-
ton In this district of a formidable rural guard
maintaining that no such costly protection to
life and property is required. If his projected
thlc Via Cix fard fnr
these provinces will be reduced to mini
mum or abolished altogether. In the Puerto
Principe Santiago and Pinar del Rio districts
where the country population has not settled
down again to ordinary pursuits, the mainten-
ance of a strong rural police force is an evident
necessity.
General Bates. the former commander Of the
Department OF Santa Clara, will start within
a few days for the United States.
GREENWOODs RAILWAY CONCESSION
good deal OF stir has been aroused in the
Havana newspapers over a project for beginning
the construction OF central railroad connecting
Santiago with the western ard central prov
inces. The chief figure in the enterprise is
General Greenwood, who claims to represent an
American syndicate, and to have obtained
concession for the road before the military
to the Army Appropriation bill seems to stand
in the way of this or any similar project for
railroad development.
SHOCK TO SPANISH TRADITIONS.
General Brooke's decree establishing an insu-
lar Supreme Court has evoked but single ma
tive criticism The section which makes eligible
for appointment to the Supreme Court Bench
any reputable lawyer who has passed twenty
three years is a shock to Spanish traditions
which have always associated judicial service
with the sober gravity and settled dignity OF
age Supreme Court Justice OF twenty-five
would be little less than marvel in CUBAN eyes
Spanish and native customs are also out
ragged in the order recently adopted by the CITY
Council closing the shops at o'clock. This de-
cision is bitterly lamented in the local press
which accuses the City Council Of seeking 10 DE
more American than the Americans All appeal
has been made to General Brooke TO rescind
the order which is to go into effect on May l.
AS in this climate much OF the shopping Is done
in the cooler hours Of the evening and early
closing would be a hardship 10 many purchasers
complaint against this American reform has ap-
parently some merit In IT,
EXODUS OF sPANIARDs.
It is estimated that since January / twenty
thousand Spaniards excluding officers and ex-
civil employees. have left Cuba for Spain Inc
French and Spanish steamship lines sailing
from this port still have the cabin lists nlieu ioi
two or three months to come.
Two additional cases Of yellow fever were re-
ported TO the health authorities to-day
THE STEAMER MURCIA FOUNDERS.