Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-03-11
What American Ideas Will Do.

George KEENAN,, the noted Siberian
traveller. is writing a series Of Cuban
articles for a New York magazine that
will prove interesting reading. Mr..
KEENAN, speaks of his return to Santiago
de Cuba, and the marvellous changes for
the better he is noting there. When he
left six months previous, the city was
reeking in the filth of decades, the
streets were used as common dumping
grounds for garbage and Stops of all
kinds, and the whole city was as nasty a
mess as any civilized being was ever
made sick over. Now all is changed.
Every street has become clean, sweet
and inviting, roadways have been paved.
a fine boulevard encircles the city, and
if any venturesome householder dumps
his refuse into the streets, there is a
general howl of indignation, where there
was utter apathy and indifference be-
fore, and the offender is at once com
planned of to the officer in charge OF the
white Wings" Moreover, Mr.. Ken
nan noticed that where the Cuban young
women were formerly won't to use a dis
tinctive Cuban dress and never venture
out without chaperones, they now are
sporting American shirt waists, discard
ing the companionship of chaperones,
and are even coming to accept the
public escort of American officers and
young men. The boys about the streets
are picking up Amerieanisms, and
''Shine EN- up, Boss? Only 5 cents,
is frequently heard from local youth.
One thing that in particular impressed
Mr.. KEENAN,, is that the crowd of boys
and young people who invariably are
present at the daily lowering of the flag
at sunset at the campo the 5th infantry,
always remove their hats and caps for
the time, out of respect for the flag, as
the ensign came fluttering down to the
strains of 1.-THE Star Spanglcd Banner
from the band. The people down in the
country have learned to respect the
| American flag, and the evolutions of the
garrison of regulars stationed there are
| ever watched with interest if not awe
One Sunday afternoon, Mr.. KEENAN,
was startled by hearing from the win
dows of a large mansion the familiar
| strains of, 'What a friend we have in
| Jesus" He lost no time in investigating,
and ascertained that the Southern Bap-
fist Association of the United States had
established a large and successful mis-
sion in Santiago, and the voices came
from over 300 people of all ages who had
united with that denomination there and
had organized a church. Mr.. KEENAN,
says he is convinced from the rapidity
and success with which the Evangelical
Protestant faith has taken hold in Cuba,
that it is destined to play a very i'm
portant part in the development of the
island. The pubic schools, too, are
proving a remarkable success, so that it
is impossible to accommodate the vast
number of children who are applying for
admission. 1t is needless to say that the
schools are conducted-not in the Span
ish, but on the American plan. Under
General Woods most able administra-
ton the whole city had undergone a
remarkable regeneration, which is
evident everywhere. In the purchase
of provisions by government officers
after the city was captured, merchants
offered on the quiet to make out their
bills larger than the actual price paid,
so that the purchasing officer might
pocket a nice little sun. That was the
Spanish way of doing things. There is
none of that now, and a straightforward
manner of commercial dealings obtains
in business transactions, whether the
government is interested or not.
Mr.. KEENAN, is a very acute and keen
observer, as might be expected from so
distinguished and experienced a traveller,
and his narratives published from week
to week will be watched for with great
interest.