The times., 1899-05-08

an enumeration of the islands population.
preparatory to holding a popular election.
This election. although indefinite in the
extreme as to the time and conditions per-
tanning to it, is even now engrossing at
tsntion. There are many grave questions
to be settled concerning it. In an island
where rs per cent of the adult males can
neither read nor write, the desirability of
universal suffrage becomes a matter of
doubt in many minds. If an educational
qualification is made part of the suffrage
decree, which will eventually be promul-
gated more than one Cuban general of
power and influence will find himself de-
barred from the polls II there is no such
qualification. the ignorant blacks. II con-
trolled by shrewd leaders, will have it in
their power to dictate absolutely to the in
telligent element in the community.
Another point which has been raised by
the Cubans. but not by the Americans. who
have no desire to reach out into the future
for trouble, concerns the rights OF Cubans
who are naturaliZed American citizens.
There are thousands of these men on the
island. Many of them are among the lead
ers of public thought They have lived
in the States and their ideas are more in
consonance with ours They are taking
a most prominent part right now in the
reconstruction of Cuba Secretary of FL
nance ID. Esvernine is an American citizen.
FREDERICK Mora, Court Governor of Ha-
vana, is an American citizen. So Is Mayor
Lacoste, of this city. Gen. Emilio Nunez,
of Gomezs staff: Gen. Joaquin Castillo, of
Santiago, and Gen Julio Sanguily are
American citizens These are but Illus
trations of the kind of men who have
sworn allegiance to the Stars and Stripes
in the past. There are many others CT the
same coming.
The Coming Elections.
Now they all want to take part in this
election Some of them, at least, do not
want to give up their American citizen
ship. some even who are opposed to IN
nexation. In other words, they would like
to try the experiment of independence. but
they would like to have their interests
safeguarded against pillage or confscation
In case of a general mixup. Opinion is
divided as to how the question should be
settled. 1t makes no difference as yet.
Ofhceholders. whether Cuban or American,
have only to swear allegiance to the mill
tary government. Some no doubt if shut
out from participation by reason of their
American citizenship. will renounce 1t, but
others will want to eat their cake and keep
it There is no doubt that suspicion
exists in certain quarters that the Ameri-
canlzed Cubans are working in the inter-
ests of the United States.
n lew ol them are, prODaDiy, but there
are among them some OF the strongest
supporters of Cuba Libre. At any rate, it
IS certain that they will all want to take
part in the first election, and that Wash
ington will be called upon to settle the
question as to the main right of suffrage
in their native land, whence they were
forced to fee by reason of Spanish oppres-
sion.
Another matter which has been called
UP by discussion of the election is the
status of the Spaniards. According to the
Treaty of Paris. the Spanish citizens liv-
ing in Cuba are to have the same rights
as the Cubans for a period of one year af-
ter the signing OF the treaty. In case,
therefore, the election is held any time
during the next ten months, the Spaniards
might rightfully claim suffrage. 1t is hard
ly probable. however, that the census can
be finished and the election arranged for
within year from the signing OF the
Treaty, SO that a discussion of this point
is more fantastic than practical