The silver star., 1900-01-05
cusANs ARE FRIENDLY.
Reassurcd by the Attitude of 0sners
Wood

| hSoseur0Q Oy the Atutuoo OF Gonee0
| Wood
Chicago, Dec. 29.-A special dis
| patch from Havana to the Record
says: Confidence in the sincerity Of
the American administrations inten
ton to give Cuba first governmen,
and then independence is beginning q
be established on firm ground. The
declarations of President Mckinley
and General Wood, as well as the re
yealed policy of the new governor gen
eral and his record in the administra.
tion of Santiago's government, have
served TO reassure those among the
Cubans who had doubts of the ulti.
mate carrying out of the spirit of the
joint resolution OF Congress taken at
the beginning of the American Spanish
war.
1t is now believed that the Cuban
national party and the other political
parties of the island will soon unite
and throw their unanreous efforts on
the side of General Woods administra-
ton With their aid II is believed the
governor general will soon be able to
establish a strong and stable govern
ment.
The development of General Woods
policy of reform in the various
branches of government is eagerly
awaited here. General Bartolome
Maso, who was appointed president Of
Cuba by the revolutionary government
during the war. will arrive in few
days, having been summoned by Cen
eral Wood 10 assist in the work of re-
organization.
Governor General Wood will an
nounce his new Cabinet January 1st
II will be like the present one-an ad-
visory body-but will consist of six
instead of four members. and separate
departments of agriculture and of edu-
cation will be created.
Next Wednesday congress Of
Cuban notables will meet in Ha-
vana. 1t will consist of the civil gov
ernors of the various provinces and
of the leading Cubans whom General
Wood has invited to meet in confer
ence with him.
Collector Bliss Is taking further
rigorous steps for the prosecution of
the custom frauds entirely unmoved
by the storm he has aroused The i'm
portcis and brokers are now receiving
ms attention and all signs are that he
VIII reach the entire center of the CON
spiracy without waiting for the trial
OF the accused custom house employees
IN audencia or in higher court.
The ring of brokers has been upset
since the first revelations. The anxiety
was increased to-day when it became
known that Collector Bliss had signed
Information for a judicial process to
lssue against two Of the best known
custom house brokers in Havana. They
VIII he brought before judge of prim-
ary instance just as the appraisers
We're. The collector also signed infor-
nation for the rearrest of two of the
three appraisers originally arrested
and then released.
Importers are very uneasy over the
process against the brokers. and much
Indignation Is manifested. The testi-
inony given before Il judge of first in
stance. which has been allowed to be-
come public. contains names of several
hrlhs which We're alleged to be in
volved.
''feater fear however, comes from
invoices and other original documents
that are known to be- in the possession
Of Collector Bliss.
Smart Spanish and Cuban lawyers
have been employed by the accused
employees and are taking advantage Of
all possible technlcalitles in the pro-
ce'-diuSs- In sNite Of the effort TO
Work sympathy on social and political
grounds. the cubans are generally In
ciined to support the American Of.
fclals.
Wood Is not likely to make the same
mistake. He is consulting Instead of
defylng public opinion, making per-
sonal investigations. visiting prisons
and hearing complaints. and in a dozen
other ways putting himself in direct
touch with the people. He has been
mere only week, hut has already laid
lon f-t q
changes to be made at an early date.