Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-30

Mouths Of Inaammatory Oubans
Closed by Public Sop
POLICY A TEMPORARY SUCCESS
Uncertainty as to Future a Barrier
to Investment
WHAT THE CLASSES WANT
Copyright. 1900. by J. D. Whelpley)
.ial CORRESPONDENCE Of The Evening Star,


Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
HAVANA, March q, 1900.
The appointment Of Quintin Bandera to
an office in the Cuban government is as
good an illustration of the real political
conditions which exist on this island as
may be needed by any intelligent man.
Bandera Is an ignorant. misunderstanding
and dangerous negro. who has devoted his
time since Spain withdrew from Cuba to
making all the trouble he possibly could
for the Americans. Yet, with universal suf-
frage Bandera at this time might be elected
president of Cuba. 1t is in the fear Of the
possible ascendancy of such influence as is
exercised by Bandera that the American
control has insisted upon a restricted vote.
1t is Bandera and his ilk who make Cuban
independence impossible, If the United
States carries out in all honesty its avowed
purpose Of creating stable government
Bandera has recently been making infiam-
matory speeches. His mouth is now closed
by a sop from the public crib. and many
others like him are held in check by similar
methods. That such men can be of any
value in the public service is without the
bounds of possibility. The only purpose Of
their inclusion in the official family is an
attempt to draw their fangs.
Bandera is OF the most virulent type Of
the Inscriptions. anti-American Cuban
politician. Others are not so dangerous,
but are. perhaps. more influential with
better class of people. Gen. Gomez. the
military hero of the war is resting Quietly
at home though he. too. in a more intelli-
gent way. is in favor of American with
drawal. Since the Americans came to Cuba
Gen. Gomez has received from the public
funds. on one pretext or another, $1,000 in
cash. A temporary quiet is profitable to
him under these circumstances even as it
is to the others. Gems Rabi. Lara Pedro
a nd r..
ers. have taken offices at good salaries and
expenses. Giving dinners to their friends
and living luXuriously on their official in
comes is about the extent of their acknowl-
edgment of the fact that they are in the
public pay. In short, the men dangerous
to the peace of the island and the success
of the American administration have been
bribed at heavy cost to behave themselves.
Only Whets Their Desires.
No one can suppose for moment that
these men change their opinions, their
character, or lose their ambitions when
they accept the military governors shilling.
Far from it; it whets their desire for I'M
restricted power. 1t increases their own
estimate of their Importance. 1t suggests
possibilities and gives them position and
means to work out their schemes. AS a
temporary policy it is success. There
will be no serious trouble in Cuba for some
time. Any talk of an immediate general
Is SeHSdIlOndl- SuDa Will not
force herself to the front with the people
of the United States in time to enter as
leading issue into the campaign of 1900. 1t
Is a latent issue, however, and one which
in time will overshadow in insistency and
Importance many others which are now alb
sorbing the attention of the American peo-
pie.
This policy of temporizing with evil is a
necessity to prolong the condition of peace
which now exists. 1t may possibly bring
abont a solution of the Cuban question
later on without trouble, by giving the an
nexation sentiment time to grow. The vast
majority of the Cubans want peace and
stability of government. They are in favor
of an independent republic now for it is
apparently the logical outcome of all that
has gone before The Cuban rules more
from his heart than from his mind. He is
sentimental, patriotic. home-loving and
clannish, but with all this he will not the
more readily accept a Cuban government
which is not more than a change of mas
tiers. He is now determined upon change
of methods well. There is a determine
ton on the part of the business interests
of the island to prosper. and for prosperity
there must be peace. If peace, justice and
stability can only be secured BY the annex
alton of Cuba to the United States, or by
the exercise of strong protectorate by
the latter country. one or the other will in
time be favored by vast majority of the
Cuban people. though they are not ready
IN pk l..1D tic I-af