Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-02
THE EVENING STAR FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2 1eoo-1e PAGES

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be said these disturbances are truly of a
minor character. They are caused In some
instances by unscrupulons agitators snd
are generally carried on by ignorant and ir-
responsible negroes, thel insurgent lead
ers, civilian and military ,snsnifestin every
evidence of giving hearty support to the in
auguration of the new regime of peace.
Gen. Rabi who was second In Command 10
the late Gen. Garcia. lives near Santiago.
He was here in Havana a few day.; ago
to see Gov. Wood and assure him Of his
support in accomplishing the transition of
Supa from martial to a civil government.
Gen: Rabi vas one Of the most uncompro-
missing Of the insurgents. apparently knew
nothing except how to fight, and expected
to do nothing else the balance of his lice
He Is the leading spirit with his people in
the eastern province and his Willingness 10
help the civil government along is cons;d-
cred one of the best signs of the times
Young Omcers.
In the regiments Of American soldiers
which are kept in Cuba young men are
wanted for oficers, men who can learn
easily and quickly. who are active and pro-
gressive. and who are capable Of layjnr a side
the military function at times and s,,hor-
dinating 1t to that Of the civil needs of the
majority Of young men that the Idea really
originated of keeping one battalion in the
United States from each regiment serving.
in Cuba. 1t was to give the older officers
reached
the age Of retirement and were superseded
by younger men. This has resulted to n
certain degree in putting the commands in
Cuba In the hands of the younger more
adaptable and more active men 1t has
worked to the satisfaction of the admins
trat1on, where 1t has been possible to carry
the idea out fully, and the system will pre-
vail so long as 1t Is necessary to accent
with regiment its regular roster of Off
GERS as listed in the Army Register.
Nuff-a. Sovaso--
Governor Wood believes that the Cubans
will make good American soldiers. for he
thinks this has been demonstrated in the
success of the rural constabulary Going
farther than this, many of the American
officers who have had to do with the Gu
bans In the American service say that it
seems to change even the sympathies of
the men. that 1t really makes Americans
out of them, so much SO that they are ac-
tive in suppressing disorder among their
own people, regardless of public opinion,
even though it be against them. The OBJ
lection to a native army Is made on the
ground that to arm and equip a force that
might possibly be turned against the United
States would be indiscreet. to say the least,
but that objection is considered little far
fetched in view of present indications and
the strong control which the United States
can always have over the island on very
short notice, even though the protectorate
of the latter country over Cuba was merely
nominal or moral.
There will be many changes made in orig
inal plans before this matter of the Amer
lean military force in Cuba is settled, but
the policy of the present administration
is evidently to reduce the military show to
the minimum consistent with public safety.
the latter to be judged in the light of a
great confidence in the permanency of the
peace which now prevails
j. D. WHELPLEY.