New-York tribune., 1899-03-25
MR.. SMITHS VIEWS on CIBA
PLEASED WITH THE RESULTS OF AMER
ICAN RULE.

1CAN III lie.
Havana. March "a - Pos stmaster- General
Charles Emory Smith, who arrived here last
Saturday to take 4 look at the work Of the De
partment of Posts. under the management OF
Colonel +. G. Rathbone, before sailing for tho
United States today said in an interview re-
garding the results of his trip:
My direct ana immediate purpose in coming
here was to examine into the postal service OF
the island as it haa been inherited and reorgan-
ized and TO see what its requirements are Hut,
OF course. my eyes and ears have been open.
and have been very much interested in my OBJ
servations and conferences Of more general
character am gratifed and even surprised 70
find how much has already been done here ny
the American representatives.
Il did not see what Havana was under the
former rule. but | have had an opportunity
a. some points OF specially noting the contrast
with present conditions and assure YOU "
is Of the most signal character. ! have seen
houses ripped up and laid open as they Were'
and have seen houses Of the same Kind next
door whore renovation and reconstruction had
been wrought. The difference is that between
mediavalism and high modern civilization. Ihe
change Of sanitary conditions is enormous. No
one can begin TO appreciate without personal
observation what has been accomplished mere
by American Intervention IN the saving or He
and the improving of health conditions.
GENERAL, RROOKE'S GOOD WORK.
The Military Governor. General Brooke. and
his associates. have taken up the work OF ad-
ministration with great capacity End judgment.
have had considerable opportunity II seeing
what General Brooke has inaugurated and ac-
complished. ] believe that every American. II
he could personally see and understand it, would
he deeply gratfed with this work. General
Brooke has been deliberate. consiierate and well
poIsed and al the same time. he has been firm
and decided He has carefully gathered the
best information from the most trustworthy
sources and has applied it to the present condl-
tions with excellent judgment. He has called
Cuban Councillors about him. but has kept the
determination Of immediate questions in his
own hands and has labored faithfully and sue
cessfully to carry out the spirit and purpose or
President McKney's instructions and policy.
General Brooke is re-establishing the civil
machinery in cuba on just lines, and is care
fully providing for the equitable adjustment or
personal and property rights. as well as Tor
public protection. He has just completed the
organization Of a Supreme Court. which becores
the appellate tribunal. and under which the law
will be Justly administered. All branches Of the
civil administration are being taken up IN the
same careful way
Here i'm the city Of Havana Maior-General
Ludlow has shown great vigor, ana radical
reformation IF police and sanitary arrange
ments is going on. My only opportunity Of OBJ
servation outside Of Havana during this hurried
trip has been i'm MatanZas. where Major-General
Wilson is in command. His large public cX-
perience and military capacity are illustrated IN
the Improvement which has been effected there.
and in the admirable relations he has estab-
lished with the Cuban people.
CHANGES MUST BE MAINTAINED.
The thing that is now needed is a general
understanding that these conditions are to con
tinue. The development Of tho island and even
a general feeling OF security arc retarded by
uncertainty as 10 the future There is lack
Of understanding in many quarters that the
United States authorities viii remain long
enough to establish and insure stable govern
ment This uncertainty generates distrust and
hesitation in enterprise and general business re-
habilitation. The impression needs to be diff
fused in Cuba that the United states. having
eXpelled the old government. Will accept the
duty and responsibility Of leading the way TO
the creation Of new government Of such h
character as viii command universal confidence
and support because fully capable or assuring
perfect peace and order and the full admins
tration Of law and justice and that th" United
States will remain long enough. Whatever tne
NAV he necessary. to see that this Is effectively
Let me say word Of the postal service. II
was found be Of the most crude disorganlzed
and inefficient character. II VIII ne Work OF
some little time tC reconstruct II completely
and to make il such service as exists IN the
United States but this will be accomplished
Colonel Rathbone. who is I'm charge as Director
General Of Posts Is a trained and exceedingly
capable officer. and has already vindcated his
selection for that place by the energetic ana
comprehensive work ne is doing. special DC,
livery is this week inaugural d IN Havana, ana
free frequent deliveries will be organized here
and IN other cities. Within "A month the post
office will be transferred from the ramshack'e
structure which has been a disgrace to it, to a
new building with complete modern equipment
as good as exists in New-York or PhiladeIpha.
believe that a good postal service extending
over the island will do vast deal 70 educate
and develop the people and, after my personal
observation. feel that under the present lli-
rect tor-General OF Posts this Will be secured
poetuaster- General Smith sailed by the
steamer Lincoln. his travelling companion being
Fourth Assistant Postmaster-Goneral Joseph