Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1900-04-05
TIE CUBA OF THE PRESENT.
| AS Viewed by the subcommittee OF
the Senate on Their He
cent Visit.

Washington, April 1.-The subcon-
mittee of the senate. consisting of
Senator'S Platt. Of Connecticut, Aldrich
and Teller, which went to Cuba for the
purpose of personally investigating
conditions Oh the island with view to
Intelligent action by congress with re-
spect to Cuba, has returned to Wash
ington. Senator Platt, chairman of the
subcommittee, last night authorized
the following statement concerning
he subcommittee observations:
Maize DIfEent Inquiry.
''SYe inquired as carefully and COM
pletely as We could, with the limited
time at our disposal into the condi-
ton OF the people OF the island. their
needs and the prospect OF the estab-
lishment OF an independent. satisfac-
tory and stable government by and for
the people of Cuba. We were in Ha-
vana IN all five days. We also visited
the provinces of Pinar del Rio and
Santa Clara, being unable to go to
Santiago and Puerto Principe, as we
very much wished. We saw and con-
versed with great many prominent
the island, men who reE resented diff
ferent ideas and interests from intense
conservatism to decided radicalism,
and return with much better under
standing of the problem to be solved
and the steps to be taken in its solu-
ton than we could possibly obtain 9TH
erwise than by a personal visit.
Anxious for Independence.
at may be said of all classes in
Cuba that they are looking to the es-
Establishment Of an independent gov
eminent, Cuban republic. A few are
impatient, and wish for immediate and
complete independence. Others are
less impatient, believing that sufficient
time should be taken to avoid mis-
takes and to set up the rev govern
ment upon such firm basis as to in
sure its success and permanence.
A Test of Self Governing Capacity.
''All are looking forward to the mu-
1icipal 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 govern
ment. Much will depend upon the re-
suit of these elections. If they take
place without disorder and good Off
cials are elected, that viii 60 far to
prove the capacity of the people for
self government, and steps can be
taken without great delay for further
progress in that direction. The prob
lem is complicated by the fact that
self-governnent is an untried expert
ment, by Il people who have had little
opportunity to study its details, its
necessities or its responsibilities. Many
of the more conservative citizens and
business men unfortunately show too
much disposition to hold aloof.
Goy.-Gcn. Woods administration.
1--WE were much impressed by the
evidence of good administration of the
affairs of the island under Gov. Wood.
He has very difficult and complicated
problem to deal with; conditions grow
ing out of 800 years of Spanish mis-
rule, and the consequent character of
the people Of Cuba, make every step
in its solution embarrassing, but we
are convinced that he is the right man
in the right place, and that his admin
istration, though firm, is as gentle as
possible and calculated to lead the peo-
pie wisely to the establishment 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 be
surely subserved.
Must be Taught Like Children.
1t is not too much to say that the
people of Cuba in respect to the for
nation of a stable and beneficier.J
government are very much like chill
drep who have to be taught and led
They regard the United States as their
friend and teacher, and, as a whole,
az quite willing to be guided.
Great Possibilities.
There are great possibilities in the
island. 1t is fertile, has natural re-
sources and is capable of supporting
population four or five times larger
than it numbers at present.
Yankee Capital Needed.
ION the whole there has been
mary elous recuperation since the dec
laiation of peace, but it needs Ameri-
can capital and American enterprise,
which hesitate as yet to go there.
English and German capital seems
more confident, and is being invested.
Surely our own people ought to have
as much confidence in the future of
Cuba as foreigners have. On the whole,
we We're much pleased and encour-
aged. Q'he people of the United States
and of Cuba should alike exercise pa
ticEce, being assured that thereby
progress will be most certain.