Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-18
Opposes Further Reduction of Forces
in Cuba.
WOULD WAIT UNTIL AFTER ELECTIONS
Little Disorder on the Island and
General Prosperity.
GOOD CROPS REPORTED

Gen. Leonard Wood. governor general Of
Cuba. reached here last evening. and this
morning reported to the Secretary of War.
with whom~he was in conference from 10
until 1890 o'clock He discussed with the
Secretary of War every phase of the Cuban
situation. and especially the extent to which
troops could be withdrawn from Cuba for
service in China. Gen. Woods fine Saxon
face, topped with close-cropped yellow hair,
looks Redeemed almost to a blister from
tropical skies. and he preserves that
springy alertness which marked him while
leading the Rough Riders.
He was seen by a Star reporter immedi-
ately after he left Secretary Root, and
talked interestingly concerning affairs in
Cuba. which he pictured being in an ex-
tremely satisfactory condition. both as to
the business and political phases of the
question. When asked to what extent the
force in Cuba could be reduced he said:
Already three regiments are with
drawn. and possibly there could be some
further reduction. With these regiments
we had in Cuba between 1890 and 5000
troops. so that the removals already made
reduce the force to approximately 5000
There seems to be no doubt that this num-
her is ample for all needs. for the island is
In complete peace, the people are contented
and they are quite as anxious we are to
have the conditions of tranquility continue
But whether 1t would be desirable to re-
question. and that is one of the points am
here to discuss"
Opposes Reduction Now.
He said that he did not favor the reduc-
ton of this number of troops at the present
time. and the people themselves desired to
have them on the island. After a month
or two. when the next election is over, he
thought that perhaps a couple more regi-
ments might be taken away from the
island.
The three regiments that are now being
taken from the island he said would re-
duce the force there to between five and SIX
thousand men. and he would not advise any
further reduction at the present time. This
force was desired on the island by the peo-
PIE themselves. and it WIS only such a re-
straint as would be me- aSSaIv anywhere a;
time when excitement nigh, prevail
political matters, which might be the case
during the coming election So far the
present conditions is concerned Cuba is as
quiet as is this city.
He said he would not favor the raising Of
native Cuban troops under native Officers.
He thought the presence of the American
force was much more likely to be SatiSfac-
tory to the people themselves tnin would
Cuban troops. If any further reduction in
the number of the troops were made. it
would be necessary TO reduce the number
of military posts. He sad he had not
found it necessary to order soldier olt an
the last six months to pre- serve oder.
General Prosperity.
He said that in every line of business
there was an increase in prosperity. and
as an instance of the improved condition
among the people at large he said that
twelve orphan asylums had been closed
very recently. because the children had
been taken away and given homes among
their friends.
THE sugar crop of Cuba" said Gov
ernor Wood, lis 20 per cent greater than it
was last year. while the coffee crop is in
creasing. The tobacco crop Of the past
year was the second largest in the history
of the island"
Governor Wood spoke OF the public
schools of Cuba progressing very rap
idly, there now being 10000 children in the
schools, with between $500 and $500 teach
ers. Teachers institutes are being formed
and being looked forward to with a
great deal of interest by the teachers The
revenues of the island are steadily inCreas-
ing and when he left there was an avail
able fund of $1,000, 900, not Notwithstanding the
large expenditures on account of the
schools and for charities and hospitals
1.-The elections took place" he said, with
out any disorder whatever There was not
suit of the elections"
The troops on the island, said Gen
Wood. are behaving in an excellent way
and there were practically no complaints
coming to him in regard to any miscon-
duct on the part of the soldiers
What is the feeling of the people of
Cuba in regard to annexation?' he was
asked.
That Is a thing l can say little about"
he replied. THE people friendly to US
Generally speaking, the people are anxious
Tor an independent form of government"
rs the feeling in favor of annexation
growing among the people,
Il do not know, he said THAT Is a
question that only time can answer"
Gov. Wood said that only small amount
of capital Is going into Cuba at the present
time for the reason that until after the
constitutional convention Is held and a
constitution Is adopted concessions and
FRANCHISES cannot be granted. AT the pres
ent time money is being invested there
only in those concessions that were in
force before American occupation.
Would Like to Go to China.
Gen. Wood was asked if he would like tn
go to China.
IF there is going to be a scrap out there
certainly: all of would like to go" he
said. He had no knowledge however. of
any purpose to send him there.
He said that he felt as all army officers
do. He had not expressed himself in any
other way and had no reason to believe
that he would be sent to China He said
he had not mentioned the subject Of trans
fer to China to the Secretary of War.