Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-16
SITUATION IN CUBA
Data Given to the President and Secretary
Root by Colonel Kennon.
Gen. Brooke VIII shortly Come to
Washington to Confer With
the Authorities.

General Brooke. military governor of
Cuba, will shortly make a visit to Wash
ington for the purpose of comforting with
the President and Secretary Root in regard
to Cuban affairs. The President desires TO
have the benefit of the personal views of
General Brooke to assist him in the treat
ment of Cuban affairs in his annual mes
sage to Congress. Secretary Root also de-
sires to confer personally with General
Brooke regarding the situation in Cuba.
No date has been fixed for General
Brooke's visit to Washington. but it will
be determined by the developments of the
situation and certainly before the Secre-
tary begins his annual report to the Presi-
dent
Colonel Kennon of the Bath Infantry. re-
Gently appointed. who has been on duty at
Havana as assistant adjutant general had
Il long conference with Secretary Root yes
terday afternoon. Colonel kernon so i'm
pressed President Mckinley with the infor
nation he brought from Havana that the
President thought it was advisable he
should talk with Secretary Root. Colonel
kennon assured both the President and
Secretary Root that the course which Gen
eral Brooke is pursuing net with general
approval. and is of that careful and con-
servatiye ma ture required by he conditions
IN the island. 1t was necessary TO make
radical changes, but he policy of the gem
eral has been TO make the old fit the new
with as little friction rs possible.
Proposed Elections.
As to elections in Cuba. Colonel kclnon
told the Secretary that he thought the time
was still somewhat distant when they could
be held to advantage. BY provision N the
peace treaty the Spanish residents in the
island We're given one year from liz date
of exchange of Publications in which to
declare their preference as to citizenship.
Elections cOu1I he held - said
after the year ELAPSED in justice TO this
class. The desirability of leaving the mat
ter open was apparent. said Colonel Ken
non, because large proportion of the prop
erty was owned by Spanish subjects, and If
it could be demonstrated to them that their
interests Were in becoming Cuban citizens
1t would be better for the future of the is
land.
Colonel Kennon said that the peopie Of
Cuba we're fast coming to the conclusion
that the interests OF all would be bes. sub
served by accepting Cuban citizenship and
by Spaniards and Cubans acting in har-
mony: and while they dc not mix we'll at
present the feeling of irritation is wearing
away. The matter of suffrage is one the
colonel said. that must be carefully yonsid-
cred. The disadvantages which great pro-
portion of the people had been under and
which had prevented them from being edu
Gated, made it extremely hazardous TO
grant universal suffrage when the time
comes for holding election.
Much Contradictory Information.
Secretary Root was very much gratified
with the information which Colonel Ken
non conveyed. The Secretary mas been re-
ceiving a great mass of documents, papers
and data upon Cuban and Porto Rcan at
fairs. Some of the statements are d;amet-
really opposed to others and the Secretary
is now trying to reconcile he differences
and sift the truth. Il is for this reason
mainly that General Brooke will be sum
moned to Washington.
Colonel kennon left here last evening FOR
Denver, Col, which is the headquarters of
his regiment, the Bath Infantry, Urited
States Volunteers. The organization will
be perfected as quickly as possible with
view to its speedy departure for the Phil
ipptnes. Mrs. kennon, who has been visit
ing friends at Chautauqua. y. Z, will join
her husband at Denver, and remain with
him until the departure of his regiment.