The evening times., 1899-12-05
GOVERNMENT oF CUBA.
Americas Intentions Regarding the
Island Defined.

The withdrawal Of the authority of Spain
from the Island of Cuba was effected by
the 1st of January, go that the full re-
establishment OF peace found the relir-
pushed territory held by US in trust for the
inhabitants, maintaining. under the direc-
ton OF the Executive, such government
and control therein as should conserve pub
lie order. restore the productive conditions
of peace SO long disturbed by the instability
and disorder which prevailed for the greater
part OF the preceding three decades, and
build UP that tranquil development of the
domestic state whereby alone can be real
lied the high purpose. as proclaimed in the
joint resolution adopted By the Congress
on the 18th of April 1898. by which the
United States disclaimed any disposition or
intention 10 exercise sovereignty. juriscic-
tion or control over Cuba, except for the
pacification thereof, and asserted its deter
mination when that was accomplished to
leave the government and control of the
island to its people. The pledge contained
in this resolution is Of the highest honor
able obligation and must be sacredly kept
believe that substantial progress has
been made in this direction. All the ad-
miristratiye measures adopted in Cuba have
aimed TO fit it for a rsgsnerated existence
by enforcing tie supremacy of law and
justice; by placing wherever practicable
the machinery of administration in the
hands of the inhabitants; by institutiug
needed sanitary reforms; by spreading edu-
cation; by fostering industry and trade; by
intoxicating public morality. and. in short.
by taking every rational step TO aid the
Cuban people to attain TO that plane OF self
conscious respect and self-reliant unity
which fits an enlightened community foT
self-government within its own sphere.
while enabling it to fulfill all outward oh
li.ations.
A Grave Responsibility.
This nation has assumed before the
world a grave responsibility for tie future
good government Of Cuba. We have ac-
cepted trust the fulflIrnent of which calls
for the sternest integrity CT purpose and
the exercise of the highest wisdom. Tbs
new Cuba yet to arise from the ashes of
the past must needs be bound TO US by ties
of singular intimacy and strength if its
enduring welfare is to be assured Whether
those ties shall be organic or conventional
the destinies of Cuba are in some rightful
form and manner irrevocably linked with
our own. but how and how far is for the
future TO determine in the ripenesS OF
events. Whatever be the outcome. We must
III
name. a perfect entity, not hasty expert
ment bearing within itself the elements of
failure. Our mission, to accomplish which
We took up the wager OF battle, is not to
be fulfilled by turning adrift any loosely
framed commonwealth to face the vicissi-
tudes which too often attend weaker states
whose natural wealth and abundant re-
sources are Offset by the incongruities Of
their political organization and the recur-
ring occasions for internal Tivalriss to sap
their strength and dissipate their energies.
The greatest blessing which can come to
Cuba is the restoration Of her agricultural
and Industrial prosperity. which will give
employment to idle men and re-establsh
the pursuits of peace. This is her chief
and immediate need.
The Cuban Census.
On the 18th OF August last an order was
made for the taking of the census in the
island. to be completed on the Soth Of No
vember BY the treaty Of peace the Span
ish people on the island have until April
IL. 1900. to elect whether they will remain
citizens of Spain or become citizens OF
Cuba Until then it cannot be definitely
ascertained who shall be entitled to par
ticipate in the formation Of the govern
ment of Cuba. Ey that time the results of
the census will have been tabulated and
We shall proceed to provide for elections
which will commit the municipal govern
ments Of the island to the officers elected