The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-03-25

Postmaster General Smith Says
MsnyIImproyements Have
Been Made In Havana.


Havana, March a-Unlted Postmaster
General Smith said in an Interview with
correspondent OF the Associated Pre- ss
regarding the results OF his trip:
"My direct and immediate purpose in
coming here was to examine into the
postal service OF the island as it has
been reorganized, and to see what It's re-
quirements are. But Of course my eyes
and ears have been open and / have been
very much interested in my observations
OF more general character. | am graf
ihed and surprised to find how much has
already been done by the American rep
resentatives.
did not see what Havana was under
the former rule, but | have had an cp-
portunity at some points OF especially
noting the contrast with present condi-
tions, and / assure you that it IS ot the
most signal character, have seen muses.
ripped up and laid open as they were
and ] have seen houses Of the same kind
next door. where renovation and recon
struction had been wrought. The diff
ference is that between medievausm and
high modern civilization. The change in
sanitary conditions is enormous. No one
can begn to appreciate without personal
observation what has been accomplished
here by American Intervention IN the
saving Of life and the improving Of nealth
conditions.
The military governor Cen Brooke and
his associates have taken up the work of
administration with great capacity and
Judgment. l have had considerable OPP
portunlty of seeing what Gen. Brooke has
lnauguTated and accomplished be-
iisve that every American If he could
personally see and understand IL, would be
deeply gratined with this work. Gen
eral Brooke has been deliberate, consid-
crate and wen poised and at the same
time has been firm and decided. lie has
carfully gathered the best information
from the most Trustworthy sources and
has applied II 10 present conditions with
excellent judgment lie has called Cuban
councillors about him but has kept the
determination Of immediate questions in
his own hands and has labored raitniu"y
and successfully to carry out the spirit
and purpose of President Mckinley m
structions and policy.
Gen. Brooke Is re-establishng the civil
machinery in Cuba on just lines. ana Is
carefully providing for the equitable ad-
iustment Of personal and property rights
as well as for public protection. lie has
lust completed the organization of su-
preme court which becomes the appell-
ate tribunal and under which the law i'll
bew Justly administered All branches
N41.s. l.aa a L
en- up in the same carful way.
Here in the city of Havana Major sen
Ludlow has shown great vigor and rad
zeal reformation OF police and ana ar
rangements IL going on. My only oppor-
tunity of observation during this hurried
trip outside OF Havana mas been Matan-
zas where Major General Wilson is In
command. His large public experience
and military capacity are illustrated In
the Improvement which has been atrecte-
ed there and In the admirable relations
that he has established with the Cuban
people.
The thing that is now needed Is genera
under standing that these things are to
continue. The uncertainty generates dis
trust and hesitation in enterprises anc
general business rslaf filitation. The i'm
preston needs to be diffus in Cuba thai
the United States having expelled tho
old government, will accept the duty anc
responsibility of leading the way to the
creation Of a new government of such q
character as will command universal con
hdencs and support because fully capable
OF assuring perfect peace and order and
the fun administration OF law and justice
and that the United states viii remain
long enough. whatever time may be nee
essary, to see that this Is effectively
done.
Let Us say a word OF the postal service
II was found to Of the most crude dlsor
ganized and inefficient character. II vii
be a work Of some little time TO recon
struct II completely and to make It sucl
a service as exists In the United states
But this will be accomplished. Colone
Rathbone who is in charge as ditcto
general Of posts. is a trained ana ex
ceedinsly capable officer and has ALREADY
ylndicated his selection for that posltio
by the energetic and comprehensive worI
that he has done. Special delivery Is TN
week inaugurated In Havana and fire
quent deliveries will be organized her
and in other cities. Within a month IN
postoffice will be transferred from tn
ramshackle structure which HIS been
disgrace 10 It to a new buiidiAg with con
plete modern equipment and as good a
exists in New York. ! believe tfat a goo
postal service extended over the islam
win do a vast deal TO educate and do
| valona tha neopia