The times., 1899-05-08
PRESENT and FUTURE
PROBLEMS IN CUBA
The Natives Not Reassured by
Military Reforms.
A Fear of Forcible Annexation
Steadily Gaining Ground.
Suspicion of American Motives-Im-
portancc of the Coming Elec-
tions-The Rainy Season.

pOrtancc of the Coming Elec-
tions-The Rainy Season.
Havana. May Cuba is today on the
verge of the rainy season. The period of
greatest activity is about closed. Perhaps
within ten days the downpour will begin.
accompanied by excessive heat. and then
even American energy must let up in
measure its work of reformation and re-
construction or suffer the consequences.
In fact, this condition is already manifest
ing itself. as much, however. by reason of
the passing of the crisis in Cuba's affairs
as of the impending descent upon the
country of fever burdened weather. This
is by no means a declaration that the
Provisional Military Government is idle.
All the reforms instituted by the Ameri-
cans are being pushed along deliberately
and firmly to the manifest Improvement OF
the material resources of Cuba; but, as the
necessity for the inauguration OF new re-
forms is not so pressing now because oil
those already instituted, II may appear 10
the casual observer that nothing at all
is being done to further the Reconstruction.
In fact, this complaint is heard IN the
clubs and cafes, not only from Cubans but
from Americans. Because every day
Governor General Brooke does not issue
some decree sweeping away this or that
institution, law, or custom and putting IN
its stead an innovation which must meet
the fancies of a dozen factions and almost
as many races, the charge is made that
the army of occupation is here for other
purposes than those made plain by the
-. .,t.s-
tration. The new Cuba no more than the
old Rome can be built in day, and IL not
another decree is issued until next Decem-
ber the successful completion of the plans
already launched will constitute task
worthy of the respectful and diligent con-
sideration of the students of government.
But more than this is being accom-
plished. The Supreme Court is all but
constructed Senor Mendoza has already
accepted the presidency of the court, and
within a short time it will be in active
operation Changes in the old Spanish
laws are being considered and will be
made better TO guard the rights of the ac-
cuscd. The principle OF incomunicado. so
promptly il somewhat arbitrarily sQuelched
by General Ludlow in the case of an
American citizen recently suspected of
murder. is to go by the board forever, and
there are other reforms under considera-
ton.
Suspicious Cuba
However, despite all that has been and'is
being DONE despite the very manifest let
terment of conditions here and in the
provinces, despite the cleanliness of the
city. the honesty of the customs admins
tration the safety of property rights the
freedom from the old scourge of brutal
military force with its train Of murder
and political pillage, the Cuban suspects
/ the United States. He does not believe
that the American Army will ever leave
/ Cuba. There is a deep-seated suspicion in
his breast that the Administration at
Washington does not intend that 1t ever
shall. No affirmations by Americans to
the belief that their Government means to
retire when its mission here as organizer
OF an independent government is TOM
pieted can rout out this suspicion. He
broods over it daily, taking every act, no
matter what its apparent tendency. as
confirmation of his own imaginings.
This sentiment of suspicion and of hos
| tility has been growing rather than de-
creasing. 1t is not perhaps SO militant or
so blatant. but it is spreading. II exists
among the wealthy and more cultivated
classes as much almost among the ig-
norant soldiers of the army taught by
their political military leaders to shout for
| Cuba libre that the spoiis of Office may
| follow in the wake of war. Many of them
at one time favored annexation. Some of
them even 90 so now, but not in the man
ner in which they believe it to be coming.
These latter want to come TO the States of
their own free will.
The United States will never leave
Cuba" said one of these men to the Sun"
| correspondent only yesterday. They will
stay here four five years. and then. per-
haps get out. but only to return. Ameri-
cans will come in here. They are coming
now. See the feeling against them among
the rabble. Send away the American SOL
| diers and there Will be a fight in the
streets. An American will be killed, and
| in twelve hours there will be squadron
at the gates OF Havana. No, Cuba never
Will be free. In one way or another we
I must go to our doom. If We could but feel
| that we were allowed to choose annexa-
tion for ourselves ii would seem easier. 1t
would not touch our pride. But this we
cannot do. We are driven to it, and some
day there will be trouble"
With the Cuban people feeling rs they
| do on this question, ii would seem that no
matter how successful the Americans may
| be adjudged in their administration of the
| functions of government. they have failed
| to establish confidence in the disinterested-
ness of their motives with reference to the
4 future Of the island. This is recognized
| y.
| tainly by the civilian portion OF the Ameri-
can colony. And its source is attributed.
not TO a lack of ability on the part OF the
men in command here. but to the fact that
| these men are soldiers accustomed by
years of training and education TO a strict
| prompt obedience by all subordinates to
| the will of those of higher authority.
| Their characters have been fashioned to
! one form, and IL is held here by men in
the Government service, but men who are
civilians, that this form is least adapted
| to gaining the confidence of the people.
| ForcibIc Annexation Feared
Cubans have known for centuries what
military power is. They have grown up
accustomed to seeing the uniform OF Spain
upon their streets They hated Spain, and
they rose against her. She was driven
| from the island, and in place OF her SOL
diers come others. The analogy is inevita-
| BILE. From this circumstance has arisen
| the impression among the Cubans which
| has already been enlarged upon that force
is being employed TO bring them to annex
alton. The very fact of his presence with
| out the use of his power makes the SOL
dier an object OF suspicion. An American
! citizen OF high standing. who has been in
! Cuba for months. in discussing this sub
| ject with The Sun correspondent the
| u ,I,a