Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1900-03-22
ROOT REPORTS CUBAN TRIP.
Secretary OF War Is Satisfied With
tho Situation in the Island.

0CSECVury Ot- war Is S0C16neO with
the Situation in the Island.
Washington, March 22.-Secretary
Root yesterday afternoon gave to
President Mckinley the results of his
observations of affairs in Cuba during
his recent trip to the island Suisse
quently the secretary consented to
talk for publication as to existing con-
ditions in the island and the POSSIBLE
tiles of the people in the direction of
self government.
During Mr.. Roots trip he visited the
provinces of Havana, Matanzas and
Pinar del Rio, and made it point to
note carfully the condition of the peo-
pie and their industries, and to discuss
with individuals as we'll as officials in
all the places at which he stopped
questions affecting their interests.
The secretary expressed himself as
satisfied with what he saw; the people
appear to be getting along very well,
and peace prevails throughout the
country.
The natural question of the ulti-
mate independence of the island came
up during Secretary Roots visit to
Cuba, but he was not prepared to say
just when the United States govern
ment would be willing this should be
a reality. Incidental to this matter,
which is uppermost in the Cuban
mind, are the formative steps that will
bring it about. The first OF these, viz,
the holding of the municipal elections
at an early date, was a subject that
Secretary Root discussed freely, par
ticnlarly with the United States Off
Gals on the island, and the arrange
ments for carrying into effect this
first step towards an independent gov
eminent were matters into which Mr..
Root looked very carefully.
These elections said the secre-
tnrv. will be the Cubans' first effort
towards popular government. unac-
customed as they are to these things,
they are as the babe unborn. and have
everything to learn. The whole plan
for making effective the scheme of
municipal suffrage has to be very
carefully worked out and the people
instructed in all details. This involves
a vest amount of labor and takes con-
siderable time, but ultimately will be
worked out and the elections take
place. hardly believe, however, that
the authorities will be quite ready for
holding the elections by the list of
May"
Secretary Root was not prepared to
venture an opinion as to when he be-
llevcd the government would grant in
dependence to the Cuoans. The
declaration in the joint resolution of
congress, granting them full indie
pendcnce would be carried out. He
pointed out how it would be necessary
that the municipal governments
should be firmly established on a
working basis, after which attention
would be given to the selection of a
constitutional convention for the pur-
pose OF framing constitution and it's
adoption by the people.
Following this and the establish
ment of firm government in the ISL
and, the secretary felt would be the
time for the formal recognition of the
Independence of the island and the
withdrawal of the assistance and SUI
pervision of the authorities of the
United States.
Mr.. Root made it feature of his
visit to talk with the leaders of what
has been known as the revolutionary
element of the population and those
who are opposed to annexation to
the United States, and he says they
are not impatient over what are re-
garded as necessary and reasonable
delays in the formation of a we'll es-
tablished government, realizing that
these are a necessity.
When a stable and settled policy of
rule has been established, the secre-
tary believes the island will have. a
season of prosperity, and that outside
capital. as we'll as much new there
remaining uninvested because of the
uncertainty that exists, will find it's
way into the channels of trade and
agriculture.