Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-04-02
SELF-GOVERNMENT
Is the One Thought Now with
the Cuban People.
Senate Committee Reports Result Of
Recent Visit to Island.
Great Praise Tor Gov. Wocd-PossibIile in
cuba's Future.

Washington. April 1.-The sub-com-
mittee of the Senate, consisting Of
Senators Plat of Connecticut, Aldrich
and Teller, which went to Cuba for
the purpose of personally Investigate
ing conditions on the island with a
view of intelligent action by Congress,
with respect to Cuba, has returned to
Washington. Senator Plat, chairman
of the substitute committee, tonight,
authorized the following statement
concerning the subcommittee obser-
vations
We enquired as carefully and com
pletely as we could. with the limited
time at our disposal, into the condl-
ton of the people of the island, their
needs, and the prospect of the eStap-
lishment of an independent satlslac-
tory and stable government by and TOT
the people of Cuba.
1T may be said of all classes in
Cuba that they are looking to the es-
Enlistment of an independent govern
ment, a Cuban republic. y few are
impatient and wish for immediate and
complete independence. Others are
less impatient, believing that sufficient
time should be taken to avoid mistakes
and to set up the new government up
on such a firm basis as to insure its
success and permanence. All are look
ing forward to the municipal elections
that are to take place in the latter part
of May, regarding such elections as
the first step toward the establishment
of the new government. Much will de-
pend upon the result Of these elections
ic ian fa1 hl
that government is an untricd ex-
pertinent, by a people who have had
little opportunity to study its princi
pies or its details, its necessities or its
responsibilities.
I'VE were very much impressed by
the evidences Of good administration
of the affairs OF the island under Gen.
Wood. He has very difficult and
complicated problem to deal with, con-
ditions growing out Of the 800 years Of
Spanish msrulc and the consequent
character Of the people Of cuba makes
every step in its solution embarrassing,
but we are convinced that he is the
right man in the right place and that
his administration, though firm, IS as
gentle as possible, and calculated to
lead the people wisely to the establish
mcnt of an Independent government
which shall have close relations with
our own and in which the interests
both Of the people Of Cuba and the
United States shall surely be observed
There are great possibilities in the
island. 1t is fertile, has a great nat
ural resource ard is capable of sup
porting population four or i've times
greater than it numbers at present.
on the whole there has been marvel
Gus recupcrations since the declaration
of peace, but it needs American CAPT
tai and American enterprise WhiCn
hesitate as yet to so there. English
and German capital seem more conf
dent and is being invested. Sur ~ our
own people ought to have as much con
fidence in the future of Cuba as for
cigncrs have.
ION the whole we We're mitch pleas
cd and encouraged. The people of IN
United States ana Of cuba should alik,
exercise patience being assured that
thereby progress will b. most certain. I"