The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-04-29
PROGRESSlN CUBA.
The Results That Have Been Accom-
plished on the Island Since Amcri-
4 ..sl,o.,is.. 49,. L Z. .,x.x.....a.1 -

luisiicu VII VIC lSIuiu Stncc tlHcrl-
can Authority was Recognized.
New York Tribune: Constitutional
impotence sometimes deprives Amerl-
cans of great deal of pleasure. 1t
Is not yet four months since American
authority began to be recognized In
Cuba beyond the limits of Santiago
province. 1t Is safe to say that II sane
and sensible Americans had been polled
to record last Christmas how soon
they could reasonably hope to see the
Island pncliled. American authority
fully recognized, Industries and busl-
ness generally restored. customs re-
celpts large enough to cover the ncces-
stiles OF local government, sanitation
80 far introduced as to lessen percepti-
bly, the mortality and so far appreciat-
ed by the inhabitants themselves that
they would publicly give praise TO the
Americans for 1t, not one man in TWEEN
ty would have expected 10 witness such
results within less than u half year.
The habits OF centuries, the prsjud!ces
and notions Of llfe-times. are not read
lily changed in tropical Islands inhabIt-
Yet these results have been so far
realized that Gpan!ards themselves
applaud them. and In less than four
months. There Is some brigandage,
and would be for time Il there were
work offered for every bodied per-
son. Bat better progress has been
made already In Cuba than was made
in like time in New Mexico or Califor-
MIA after occupation by the United
States, and In nearly all parts OF the
Island the restoration OF order and
peace has been astonishingly rapid and
complete. The Cuban assembly. so
called, made mischief and might have
made mischief much longer II II. had
not been so rabid as TO lose all conf
dence OF the Cubans themselves. The
padding Of army rolls has caused much
delay and embarrassment. and IL may
never be possible to avoid some injus-
tice TO the genuine soldiers. owing to
the swindling perpetrated by persons
who pretend to represent them, but
meanwhile large share OF the men has
returned to peaceful occupations. In
no part OF the island Is American au-
thority disputed or the reforms pro-
posed In laws and methods OF govern
ment seriously resisted.
Trade estimates published last week
crops FAR better than were expected
two months ago. not approaching the
normal production of the island In n
full year OF peuce, It Is true. but Under
the circumstances surprisingly large.
There Is constant evidence, too, OF
much work being done In reconstruct
ton OF roads, plantations, machinery
and facilities for trade, and American
capital and enterprise are as usual
leading the good work In most quar-
tiers. Among other plans on foot there
appeared on Saturday the contract Of
a southern company 10 transport live
cattle for slaughter TO Havana. AL
though there has not yet been time TO
get rid of all the fcauds and leaks and
plumbers OF Spanish administration. or
to frame c tax system thoroughly
adapted to the needs of the island un-
der new conditions, yet the revenue al
ready obtained Is regarded rs showing
clearly the suiiiciency OF the inChoate
system to sover the expenses OF gov
eminent with something over for per-
mancnt improvements. The records
show that the health Of the island.
even IL the cities which have been
most unhealthy, Is unusually good for
the season thus far. and perhaps the
most encouraging feature Is that many
OF the Inhabitants give to sanitary
measures their hearty corporation
and support.
All this does not mean that the work
OF regeneration Is done, or much more
than begun. II does not mean that
great difficulties and embarrassments
have not yet to be met. nor Is 1t posi-
bic yet to Judge how much II may be
needed for the United States 10 cxpcnd
in protection md preservation OF or
der and In permanent improvements be-
fore the new dependency can become
entirely sclf-supp0rtIng, however gov
erncd. But during all these months
many Americans have been worrying
themselves every day ant every night
because things did not move faster In
Cuba, and yet the actual progress IT.
tained IL greater than any sensible man
among them would have expected In so
short n time. II has been good work.
and reflects high credit upon some of
the United States officers who have
checrfully devoted 20 tho task more la
Dor and care than will ever be recog-
nized In any public way. 1t Is pleas
Ing 10 see that some OF them are high
~ appreciated by the more Intelligent
Spaniards. But when so good start
has been made. 1t Is worth while to
note the fact. so that 1t may not be
quite forgotten when i1lc next point OF
difficulty or encouragement causes the
impatient TO uplct their complaining
voices.