Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-22
OUR TROOPS IN CUBA
Not So Many Necessary to Maintain
Order,
But FORTS MUST Be CARED FOX
Expenditures of Soldiers a Boon to
the Island.
CHANGES IN THE LAWS

In speaking of the proposed reduction in
the military forces of Cuba, Brig. Gen.
Ludlow said today:
THE question of the military forces of the
United States in the island is one which,
from my point Of view, is politically unim-
portant. The presence of the American
troops is, as a matter of fact, no offense.
They are quiet and orderly, entirely unob-
trusive and are hardly thought of or OBJ
jected to by any one.
while the American administration con-
tinues to regulate the administration Of the
island the presence of the military is as
sented to, even by those who desire the i'm
mediate withdrawal of the American con-
troll. The soldiers stationed in Cuba repre-
sent collectively source of revenue, since
their pay and that of the officers represents
material Increase to the income Of the
island, widely distributed, with the smaller
dealers the beneficiaries. Possibly every
soldier, counting his own expenditures and
that Of the government on his behalf, with
the pay OF the officers and their cognate eX-
pendftures, would represent to the island
not less than $500 for each one. which for
10000 soldiers would amount to $1,000, 900,
a sum in nowise to be despised as an addi-
ton to the current circulating resources Of
Cuba.
FROM the american STANDPOINT, so 1ar
as security is concerned, the force could be
materially reduced. For example, in the
Department Of Havana 1 have the I'd Ar
tillery, approximately 900 men, in nowise
necessary for the public order, for the rea-
son that the rural and municipal police can
be depended upon to maintain it, AS a
matter of fact, however, the number of SOL
diers now in garrison is no greater than is
needed to take care Of the forts and bat
teries which they occupy and of the public
property contained therein, so If any ma
terial proportion Of them were withdrawn
1t would be necessary to employ other
agencies for the same purpose.
Investment of Capital Needed.
'What do you think Cuba needs to Sc
cure an early start toward commercial
prosperity and developments" the general
was asked.
The courageous investment of capital in
the encouragement of industry, the recon-
struction Of the sugar plantations, the es-
tablishment of new industries, Of small
fruit and market gardening, the develop
ment Of the mining wealth and the wealth
OF the forests, as yet almost untouched
and unknown"
rs there any money in Cuba which can
be secured for such purposes
There Is ample capital for this inside
the island well as outside of it awaiting
opportunity for investment and needing
only assurance from some responsible
source of security for immediate applica-
ton. 1t has been asserted, for example,
by persons interested in the commercial de-
velopment of Cuba that this object would
be attained If the United States should for
mulate a definite declaration of policy in
regard to the island and should indicate or
declare its purpose to be responsible for the
| maintenance Of existing order and security
for period of years, say ten. This being
DONE these people believe that the imme-
date flow Of capital to the island would
| constitute almost phenomenon in the
| rapidity with which results would be at
tanned
Legal Changes Should Be Gradual.
do you believe the present system Of
Spanish laws should continue to prevail in
Cuba?"
LAS to the question Of a new system Of
| laws my own judgment Is clear that in
| matters Of that kind the changes should
| be entirely gradual and no endeavor made
] to wipe out an existing system and estab-
lish a new one in its place.
with given people there Is nothing
| more tenacious than their adherence to
| customs, forms and methods, except 1t be
their language. l would no more under
| take to enforce new and to the people
| unknown system of jurisprudence than
1 would undertake to effect summary sub
4 stitution Of the English language for the
| Spanish.
| I'm such cases any change should be so
| gradual as to involve no hardship or sense
| Oh LII the case ol Tie
4 the people will naturally take means to ac-
\ quire it, as they are already doing, retain
| ing. however, their own. as is the case Of
| our own citizens in the United States
| 1.-The Spanish laws are coherent and log
1 ical, and as a whole have many aspects Of
| effectiveness and commentator. The prin-
| cipal defect has been in their practical ap-
| plication, and to this department the main
| industry and attention of the responsible
| authority needs to be directed. There are
1 obvious and even notorious defects in these
| respects in need of instant amendment, but
| the theoretical system should be subjected
| only to gradual changes. working toward a
| coherent and orderly administration. add
| ing new features where necessary and mod
| flying old ones.
| Since the successful execution Of the
| law must in fact and fundamentally depend
| upon the assent and concurrence Of the
| governed the system should be gradu-
| ally modified as to involve no shock or
| material antagonism, not only from those
| whose profession or duty it may be to adj
| minister those laws but by those whom it
| is designed to guide or control in the main
| tenance and defense Of their personal and
| civic rights