The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1900-04-03
RETURNED FROM CUBA.
what the Subcommittee of the Sem
ate Has 10 Say After a visit
TO the Island.

Washington, April 1.-The subcom-
mlttee of the senate. consisting of
senators Platt, of Connecticut. Al
drleh and Teller, which went TO Cuba
Tor the purpose of personally investi-
eating conditions on the island, with
a view to intelligent action by con-
gross with respect to Cuba, has re-
turned to Washington. Senator Platt.
chairman of the subcommittee. au-
thorized the following statement con-
corning the subcommittee observa-
tions:
we inquired, as carefully and com
pletely as we could with the limited
time at our disposal, into the eondi-
ton of the people of the island, their
needs and the prospect of the esta5-
ishment of an independent, satisfac-
tory and stable government by and
for the people of Cuba. We were in
Havana in all five days. We also Wis
tied the provinces of Pinar del Rio.
Matanzas and Santa Clara, being un-
able TO go 10 Santiago and Puerto
Principe, as we very much wished.
We saw and conversed with a great
many prominent and leading men
from all portions of the island. men
who represented different ideas and
interests. from intense conservatism
to decided radicalism. and return with
a much better understanding Of the
problem to be solved and the stems to
be taken in its solution than we could
possibly obtain otherwise than by
personal visit.
1T may be said of all classes in Gu
ba. that they are looking TO the Cs;-
tablishmcnt of an Independent gov
eminent. a Cuban republic. 4 few
are impatient and wish for immediate
and complete independence. Others
are less impatient. believing that sufi-
cient time should be taken TO avoid
mistakes and to set up the new gov
eminent upon such a firm basis as
10 insure its success and permanence.
All are looking forward to the mu-
nicipal elections that are to take place
in the latter part of May. regarding
such elections as the first step to-
ward the establishment Of the new
government. Much VIII depend upon
the result of these elections. If they
take place without disturbance and
good officials are elected. that will 90
far TO prove the capacity of the peo-
pie for s-lf-government, and steps
can be taken without great delay for
further progress in that direction.
The problem is complicated by the
fact that self-government is an I'M
tried experiment. by people who
have had little opportunity to study
its principles or its details, its neceS-
stiles, or its responsibilities. Many
Of the more conservative citizens and
business men, unfortunately, show
too much disposition 10 hold alOof.
"There are great possibilities in the
island. 1t is fertile, has great nat
ural resources and is capable of sup
porting a population four or five
times larger than it numbers at pres
enT. On the whole there has been
marvellous Incorporation since the dec
laratiOn of peace, but ii needs Ameri-
can capitalists among its enterprises.
which hesitate as set to 60 there
English and German capital seems
more confident and is being invested.
Surely our own people ought to have
rs much confidence i'm the future of
Cuba as foreigners have. On the whole
we were much pleased and encour-
aged. The people of the United States
and of Cuba should alike exercise pa
thence, being assured that thereby
progress viii be most certain"