New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-24
PROGRESS IN CUBA.

Constitutional impatience sometimes deprives
Americans 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 IL sane and sensible Americans had been
poed TO record last Christmas how soon
they could reasonably hope TO see the island
paciied. American authority fully recognized,
Industries and business generally restored, Gus
toms receipts large enough to cover the neces-
stiles OF local government. sanitation so far
introduced as to lessen percephbly the mortality
and SO far appreciated by the inhabitants them
selves that they would publicly give high praise
to the Americans for il, not one man in twenty
would have expected to witness such results
within less than a half-year. The habits OF
centuries. the prejudices and notions of life
times. are not readily changed in tropical ISL
ands inhabited by Latin and mixed races.
Yet these results have been so far realized
that Spaniards themselves applaud them, and
In less than four months There s some brig
andage. and would be for time II there were
work offered for every able-bodied person But
better progress has been made already In Cuba
than was made in like time in New-Mexco or
California 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 1t had not
been so rabd as to lose all confidence of the
Cubans themselves. The padding of Army
rolls has caused much delay and embarrass-
ment and II may never be possible to avoid
some Injustice TO the genuine soldiers. owing
IN the swindlins perpetrated by persons who
pretended to represent them. but meanwhile
large share Of the men has returned to peace
ful occupations. In no part Of the island is
American authority disputed or the reforms
proposed In laws and methods OF government
seriously resisted.
Trade estimates published last week gave
promise OF sugar and tobacco crops far better
than were expected two months ago. not ap.
preaching the normal production OF the island
In full year Of peace. II Is true, but under the
circumstances surprisingly large. There Is
constant evidence. too Of much work being
done ia reconstruction OF roads, plantations,
machinery and facilities for trade. and Amerl-
can capital and enterprise ere as usual leading
the good work In most quarters. Among other
plans on foot there appeared on saturday the
contract OF a Southern company to transport
live cattle for slaughter to Havana. Although
there has not yet been time to get rid OF all
The frauds and leaks and plumbers OF Spanish
administration. or TO frame tax system thor
oughly adapted TO the needs OF the island uu-
der new conditions. yet the revenue already
obtained is regarded as showing clearly tho
suffcicncy Of the inchoate system to cover the
expenses Of government. with something over
FOR permanent improvement The records show
mat the health of the island, even In the cities
which have been inost unhealthy. 10 unusually
GOOD for the season thus FAR, and perhaps the
& most encouraging feature n that many Of the