The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-11-04
Cen. Fitz. Lee Ab:ut Cuba.

WI 49, 49, %-S~~N NNNsFf
Interviewed IN Washington, d G.
la.t Sunday IN regard To- Cuba, Gen
Filz lee. who Is IA me ON forlough,
said:
" Cuba .on the whole is doing well, "
btgar Gen lee % Tine condition II
the island H. improving The Ouhans
are tractAhle aud quiet, and thc rev Ia
ton has given them sclt-respect ana
self-tcliucr They have come oui ~
their fight hopeful and cpf iiient The
people ~ the island are today eager %
make the most ot their opportunities.
IN inclined ~ think that Their
impulses are generally ia the right III.
rection But. # .ufse IN the the "
and practice of scl'-g verument they
are wholly without experience Gleat
care should be taken that tnls people
d1 not In the buoyAuey - their free
dom commit errors which VIII set Thorn
back for yclrs \ little caution No."
viii stand them lu good stead later Dn
They are llks -o many children lre-h
from schO eager re- Tess. active, bur
wanting the balance wheel Il prudence
" Life and property aro now, under
the protection 0t the United states ab-
sumtely secure iu Cuba There Dr. lltilr
friction among the luhabitint, Tho
people ara wisely restrained by the civil
and military authority without 90 any
way bong inundated or oppressed "
made ~ feel best. for the Interests II
all concerned. o. 50 They simply rec
oguiz. that II IL respect the laws and
to aid IN the general Development
" There Il among certain Cubans a
deep-sehted prejudice against some
men. who the CubAus think. whether
reasonably or not won say. oppressed
the Cubhu- under Spanish rule, and n
given free rein the Cubans would un-
question ably make short work ~ them
Then. Of cOurse, there might follow
conflicts Of "A deplorable character
That p.eJudica i-today general through
cut tho island
rROTECrORATE SHOULD CONTINUE.
Il am aware that the United States
government IL pledged definitely TO-
grant Independence 10 Cuba. after the
island has been plc'hed, and | believe
that promise should be fulfilled Jnst 81
swiftly a. We can. ia reason and Jn--
tlce This government has. IA mas
ure. taken upon itself responsibility
Ton the future success II the i-lhud. ans
We are enjpiued by every consideration
Of duty and cxprdirncy 10 youchsafe 90
the people there an opportunity t.
prosper. naturally and without unnec-
pssary obstacles For that Tes-0n the
United States should clutlnue % pro
tect life aud property In the island. and
u insure for the people the blessings ~
civilization lost 80 long a. that pr
lection Is made necessary by the rtcr-
liar s.ciol and political c'udition ~
the pe0pie
IT - needless % say that the in
du-trial prosperity az Cuba depends
wholly upon the manner IN which the
liw l. respected by the inhabitants \
state l. no better than what Us 10 p"
make A. and IT, prosperity IL deter
mined by IT'S political and social condl
mons II Cuba IS ~ BE- porous, she
must r,c1guiz- and abide by those
standards which obtain IN clyiliza1
communities The right 10 1--we, 10 ac-
qulre. and keep what IA honestly ac.
qurrd. must be- recognized throughout
Cuba A. fixed. n the great resou c-' g
the island are o. develop
ASSURANCE is NEEDED.
D." The industrial situation "a improy-
iny Tobacco has Welded satisfactory
re,ults this year The future sugar
crop will depend largely on the amount
f capital winch goes % the island o.
rebuild the machinery d'stroye b7
war This machinery "a expensive
and much money Is required % operate
sugar plantations Money Is going into
Cuba gradually. bur nothing Ike o.
fast As II would II investors were sure
that property would remain safe foi
years u come. aud be- protected by
government strong enough % euf1rre
Avs and order
" Cuba l. an exceedingly attractive
field for investment The Cublns seem
% be- adaptable and thrifty. They are
rebuilding already o some extent then
wal. wasted homes and repairing their
crippled fortunes. and viii c0uunue -
DO this patiently and perseyerlngly II
given a fair chance ana not disturbed
bv p litical agitation. Nothing can
ret ,rd the sure deyel pment of the Isl
and bat an unwlse and illlberal admin
istratiOn Il ~ government with fixed
conditions, AID the assurance that las
Will be- respected and life and property
made secure. the Cuban eople will
under the wise protection - the Uni
ted States. steadily improve their ST..
ciA. political and industrial status
Whether or MT they desire inde'
peude' 60 whether OF not they are ~
favor ~ annexation % the United |
States. and whether or not II would be |
wise for this country % annex Cuba !
and incorporate II within cur political !
system. are questions which | do not !
wish 20 discuss As a soldier, | have |
no inclination 10 make any recommen-
dations along that line. l am only |
stating condition and expressing my |
personal opinion in regard TO certain |
facts which | have observed.
Gen. Lee was then directly and |
pointedly asked question Of great IN
tere-t % the people
General" said the reporter do |
you think the people Of Cuba would be |
capable Of self-governmeut II the Uni
ted States rtdeems its pledge and per
mits them 70 organic a Cuban repub-
hc:'
The General laughed and said
am not answering cnnuudrums