New-York tribune., 1900-11-18

that has marked this island, the richest, per
haps. in the world and which. had It been prop
erIy governed and its resources developed. would
have been a perfect gold mine TO its parent
country. The report IS handsomely illustrated
ard Is well printed.
When il is remembered that the Presidents
proclamation ordering the Cuban census was
issued only q year ago last August. and the
actual work OF enumeration X as not begun until
i've months later. on October 16 General Sang
e-'s achievement in accom- mplishing in so short
tine and accurately and brilliantly q task
that was deemed impossible by those who knew
the difficulties that confronted him will be ap-
preciated. IN General Sangers original memo
Tandum for census Of Cuba. which he prepared
tor the Secretary Of War in June Of 1899 It
was proposed that the work should be done
under the supervision Of the Military Governor
O. the island. assisted by officers and enlisted
rnen of the United States Army. But as the
work primarily for the benefit Of the Gu
bans says the director in his report, and as
the work would demonstrate in some measure
their capacity 20 perform an important civil
duty i was decided h. the Secretary Of War
that the -ofices ot supervisors and enuraerators
should be filed by Cubans, and that the field
work should be performed by them. under the
supervision Ct al experienced officer Of the
United States Census so that when the enumer-
alton should Be completed Il would be d census
of Cubans ty Cubans"
Il vas with reason feared that the Cubans
suspicious through long oppression OF those gov
ern!ng them. would seek for Interior motives in
the proposal 10 take a census Of their island
There was al first a general impression among
them that the project had for its real purpose
the levyIng Of higher taxes and consCriptfon for
military service But Secretary Roots deter
ratnarion 70 employ Cubans 10 make the census
census was declared 70 be a preliminary step in
the establishment Of an effective system Of self
government. went far toward overcoming their
natural prejudices which We're entirely laid
aside when General Sanger, q man Of rare
ecu--ve ability and foresight. magnetic and
genial. whose experience II Cuba during the war
ana later Military Governor Of Matanzas
made him familiar with the Cuban character.
took personal direction Of the work.
General Sanger speaks with warm praise Of
his s-aH, which consisted of the assistant d.
rector, victor H. Olmstead, an experienced Off
clal e the United States Census, and the six
Cuban supervisors who were appointed by the
Military Governor. But the real success of the
census vas due 10 It's careful organization. II
vas fully planned and every step carefully
tested before the work was begun. provision
was made. as far possible. 10 overcome all
oosrac-=s, and TIE supervisors and enumerators
"erS instructed in their duties The efficacy OF
these measures was fully illustrated while the
he'd work was II progress, no instance being
reported 4 4 refusal the part Of the nhabi-
tans ~ Tie island 70 give such information
Is vas asked for Such opposition at first
appeared Il The newspapers was soon overcome,
and the entire press of the island joined IN pro-
noting the work, The enumerators, too. besides
hAF-ng been carefuIly taught. were people Of un
1sla- intelligence. and there were no instances |
O. failure their part 10 perform the work
assigned them
VINE no attempt has been made to prepare a |
genera history Of the island the causes which |
nave Affected its material progress. the growth |
u Ihe population and the agitation which grew /!
out o Spanish rule clearly and concisey |
s1atec From this RESUME ii appears that II was
-ls economic rather than the political condi-
ION which gradually brought about the separa- |
~'h between the Cubens and the Spaniards, and !
--+ successive instructions which resulted in |
~Ae ioss q the island TO Spain
FROM The existing conditions as set forth in |
me statistics presented. IL is difficult to fore
0es' he future Of the island If satisfied with |