New-York tribune., 1900-04-24
THE DIVISION OF CUBANS.

The census of Cuba eXcites surprise chiefly
because it is not considered how vaueless have
been all previous attempts to enumerate that
population. What is known of the corrup-
ton and laxity of administration which pre-
vailed under Spanish government would suffice
to render it certain that an accurate enumeration
could not have been made, even If there had
been no especial antagonism between the rulers
and the bulk of the population. But when 1t is
stated that less than quarter Of the adult
males were born In Spain and all other coun-
tries outside and three-quarters We're
native Cubans white and black, II becomes
plain enough that no Spanish government could
have accurately enumerated such a population,
or would have ventured to make known such
state of facts If 1t had been discovered The ten
years struggle for independence left intense
hostilities which could not have been eradicated.
come to light would have operated to prevent any
impartial enumera ton until the work could be
done by an authority not obedient to the wishes
of the SpaniardS or other foreign born residents,
of either white or colored Cubans Great
accuracy is not to be expected in case so
peculiar. even with skilled American officials to
direct the work. But it may be held probable
that the numbers now reported approximate
fairly to the truth. Out of about 41S,000 male
adults 1885 are reported rs white of Cuban
birth and 800 as colored of Cuban birth,
leaving 960S3 Spaniards and 6794 born in other
countries.
At a glance 1t becomes clear that the white
Cubans must include many sons of Spanish
parents, who were born in Cuba and yet are in
sympathy and feeling essentially separate from
either element of the Cuban population. Per
haps the enumeration may cast some light upon
of
it could not determine how many of the whites
Of Cuban BIRTH being children of Spaniards
or at some former time temporarily resi-
dent in the island are in feeling opposed to
Cuban rule. 1t would not be strange if there
should be found many thousands of these who
cannot claim rights Spaniards by birth, but
for all practical purposes will swell the force in
clined to oppose either a white or a colored
Cuban government.
Evidently it will require great tact and care
to organize local governments under such condi-
tions without intensifying the antagonisms of
birth and The white Inhabitants of
Cuban birth may he found the more numerous
class in most localities. but these are known to
be not of one mind in regard to the kind of gov
ernment desired Many thousands who have
property or business interests at stake will
shrink from any settlement which would leave
everything 10 depend on the wisdom ana self
control which the leading men among the
Cubans have shown so rarely. Taking all the
elements into consideration, it appears probable
that the local governments TO result from the
elections in June will be widely unlike in char
aeter, in efficiency and in treatment Of differ
ent elements Of the population. Some will be
found good, no doubt, though even in Santiago,
after year of wise and kindly government by
General Wood, the temper remaining does not
appear entirely promising. But there will at
least be results. good or bad by which the
readiness Of the people to take charge Of their
own affairs can be judged more accurately than
from the impressions Of visitors or the account
of partisals on either side.