Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-09-01
HONE RUE FOR CUBA
Gen, Fitzhugh Lee Reports on Con.
ditions In His Province In
Cuba.
Favors Independent Government For
the Island Under An American
Protectorate.
Would Keep Military to Help Ad.
minister Laws Made by the
People.

Washington, Sept. 1.-Gen. Fitzhugh
Lee has made an elaborate report on
prevailing conditions in the territory IN
Cuba under his jurisdiction, and takes
strong ground for an Independent gov
eminent for the Cubans under an
American protectorate.
The war department in March direct
ed the commanders of departments III
Cuba to make report on the conditions
in their several sections and to accom-
pany it with recommendations as to the
treatment OF the natives. Gen. Lee ts
the only commander who has respond
ed. He is a democrat and southerner.
and is supposed to have natural preju-
dices against annexation, but while he
urges independence for the Cubans he
recommends that American troops be
maintained in the island indefinitely.
Cen Lee begins his report by stating
conditions in Havana and Pinar del Rio
provinces are making rapid progress to-
ward a stae of peace, good order ana
prosperity. He goes into this in great
detail, taking up the subject town by
town and showing a general Improve
ment throughout the western end OF the
island. His report in this respect is
very gratifying, indicating as 1t does
that there is not as much suffering
from want of food as is often asserted
in unofficial reports.
Turning to recommendations, Gen.
Lee urges the taking of census as a
first step toward the establishment of
self government. His recommendation
in that respect was anticipated some
time ago by the decision of the presi-
dent to have such q census taken. Gen.
Lee thinks that the next step should be
the careful consideration of the ques-
ton of suffrage for the Cubans. He
takes it for granted there will be cleo
tions by the natives and he points out
the Importance of wise action in deter
mining the qualifications of voters.
He recommends an independent re-
publican government, with a president,
| a vice president and congress. He
would have this established soon, and
advises the holding Of a general election
| for the selection OF those officers. He
says nothing about constitution, leav-
I ing it to be inferred that he either over
! looked that step or would have 1T left
to the Cuban congress to provide after
| its installation in Office. In this connec-
ton he lays stress upon the need of 9
system of jurisprudence suitable for al
independent government and so guard
ed as to secure justice to the people.
j Gen. Lee evidently foresees that while
the United States might provide Cubs
with model system of government tn.
natives would be likely to spoil II in ths
administration. and he has submitted
suggestions for keeping the government
machinery running along lines thai
commend themselves to the American
mind He says the United State.
4 should keep a strict supervision ovel
Cuba until its republican government il
completed and firmly established.
Even after relieving the Cubans IL
1 part of American protection he woulS
/ have United States troops maintained
in the island to protect Americans ant
/ other aliens in the enjoyment of thei
personal and property rights.