Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-07
CIVIL GOVERNMENT IN CUBA
Its Necessity Pointed Out by Director
O. F. W. Nicely.
Interesting Review of Conditions In
Havana by Newly Re-
turned Observer.

Mr.. Charles F. W. Nicely, director of
finance for the department of posts of Ha-
vana, is in Washington on Official business.
This morning he visited Acting Postmaster
General Heath and had long conversation
with him on postal affairs.
To a reporter of The Star Mr.. Nicely talk
ed at length concerning the conditions at
the Cuban capital and the conditions on the
island. He said the Post Office Department
there was improving every day and the
people were highly elated over the .Auae: l.
can system He thought the government
has made a mistake in sending ni,itaI y
men to govern the people, and under5taE Is
civil government will be recommended by
the President in his annual message to Con-
gress. The trouble with military governors
was that they were not broad, and while
he had the highest admiration for Colonel
Ludlow and General Brooke and the otner
attaches of the army, he did not think they
were broad enough to handle municipal af-
fairs.
The city of Havana has improved Won
derfully in sanitary matters. and the
health of the people greatly improved in
consequence. This was plainly shown in
the mortanLy report for July. This year
there were only two deaths from yellow
fever. Last year the mortality from this
disease was 800 for that month. Living ex-
penses are still very high, and there is no
prospect of reduction. There is little
chance for speculation. although the city OF
Havana is full of promoters, who are hold
ing out golden opportunities to make for
tunes. He thought himself that good
deal of money could be made in truck gar
dening and the cultivation of oranges, both
of which Industries are neglected on the
island.
The Subject Of Annexation.
Concerning annexation, Mr.. Nicely said
the Spanards all desired the protection of
the United States, so long as they could
not rule themselves, and they had all the
money. The few Cubans were apparently
satisfied with the situat ton. although their
poorer brothers were clamoring for annex
alton and office.
The Cuban people, he said were very
eXcitable race and easily moved. Concern
ing the suppression of the Reconcentrado
newspaper, he said it step that
ought to have been taken long time ago,
as the paper was disgrace to decent jour
nalsn. During Blanco's term of office the
paper was not allowed to be published. and
only commenced again after the Americans
had assumed control of the island.
Stealing Under Spanish Rule.
Mr.. Nicely referred to the stealing that
has been going on in Cuba and cited as an
instance the ordinary revenue of the island
for imports aggregated S23 900, 900, yet 81
100000 was the greatest amount ever ac-
counted for under Spanish rule. Before he
left Havana the custom house inspector
was discharged because he had improper
ly rated some merchandise. Havana, he
said, in conclusion, was no place for young
men; that while there was opportunities
for making money immense capital was
necessary.
Mr.. Nicely will remain in the United
States until September. when he returns
with large supply of Cuban stamps. the
first distinctive stamp Cuba has had since
Spanish authority ceased. These stamps
are of beautiful designs and represent diff
ferent epochs in the history of the island,
and description of them has already ap-
peared in The Star.