Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-02-02
SITUATION IN CUBA,
Hannis Taylor Tells Of His
Observations There.
WANT AND MISERY PREVAIL.
That Is the General Condition Outside
Of the Giles.
THE ARMY MUST BE PAID
That Menacing BODY Must lie Cons
ve-tcd Into PrOduccrs-If Military
Shall he Hated ns Spanish Were.

MOBILE. ALA, February l.-Iiannis
Taylor ex-Mnister TO Spain. who re.
turned yesterday from two weeks
visit to cuba. has given the Associated
Press the following interview on this
Cuban situation:
"While in Cuba upon purely private
business, I came i'm contact with the
leaders of every faction into which tho
population IS now divided. The extremes
of opinion are represented on the one
hand by Cuban military chiefs demand-
ing immediate and absolute independence:
on the other by the purely Spanish ele-
ment, seeking protection under annexa-
ton. Between the two extremes Is
ranged the main body of the people.
standing in expectant attitude. ready to
give their approval To any plan that will
re-establish law, order. and material
prosperity upon a permanent basis Upon
one point all agree. American officers
and Cubans, ana that is that outside OF
the cities the country is I'm a condition
Of want and misery that can hardly be
described. As an aggravation OF 'hat
condition stands the Cuban army, COM
posed of at least 10000 men. waiting. with
arms in their hands, for such settle
ment OF their duties as will enable them
to resume life again When | asked
/ those who had a right to speak for tho
! army what sum would suffice for set
! tement, they said ten or fifteen mill
lions at least. With that. they said. the
/ 20 prp stock and
live until they could make a crop Tho
Cubaus never asked or desired us To con-
tribute a penny for the payment OF their
army. All they ask is that loan should
be made for the purpose, charged upon
their custom-houses, now yielding from
twelve to fifteen millions year, the pro-
ceeds OF the loan TO be paid 20 their sol.
| diers through our military authorities.
SETTLEMENT DETERMINED ON.
Every class I'm Cuba is now deter
mined that a settlement be made AT once.
! so that menacing and consuming body
| OF idle men may be converted into peace
! ful producers In that way the Industrial
| energies OF the country could be revived,
and a force dissolved, which, ike the
/ army OF Cromwell, IS not only military
| body. but the dominant political power
| in the island
II cannot doubt that IL the just claims
| of the Cuban army are treated with In
| Justice and contempt. and the present
| military regime continued indefinitely, In
! u short while we will be hated by the
| Cubans Just as the Spaniards were, ana
"A condition OF things brought about that
! will force US either TO withdraw from
| the island or 10 govern there just ~ Rus
| sia does I'm Poland. Wise and humane AZ
our military governors are, the fact re-
mains that they govern by the sword IN
! defiance of the civil power, and the result
| is that impatience and discomfort are al
ready clearly manifested on every hand.
| The urgent need I'm cuba row Is per-
| manent and satisfactory settlement with
| the army OF the revolution. and the es-
! tablishment as soon as possible OF pro-
! visional civil regime I'm which the Cubans
! themselves can have voice.
AUTHORITIES SHOULD HURRY
"The President should labor unceasing-
! " 10 attain these ends. and in the effort
| 90 do so he should have the cordial co.
| operation ana support OF all patriotic and
| hberty-lOying men, regardless or party.
owe should learn from the English how
! suicidal it is 10 carry our party difficult
| ties into our foreign affairs. The patriotic
| instinct of Mr.. Bryan hit the mark when
| he urged the immediate ratification OF the
| pending treaty and the settlement OF all
difficulties afterwards.
"The Senate should end at once the
| present situation. so detrimental to all
our foreign interests. while Congress as
| a whole should give 10 the President
every facility necessary 10 enable him to
settle every foreign question now de-
manding an immediate solution"