Connecticut western news., 1900-11-29
ROOT BACK FROM CUBA.
Inspection Tour Expected to Result In Waiting Policy.
NATIVES WISH INDEPENDENCE.
Desire to Experiment In Self Gov ernment Even if It Proves Fall ure-secretary Believes Annexation Not a Practical Question.

Desire to Experiment In Self Gov
 ernment Even if it Proves a Fall
 ure-secretary Believes Annexation
 Not a Practical Question.
 Washington. Nov. 2S.-Elihu Root, sec retary of war, has returned to Washing ton from his tour of observation in Cuba, and the question that everybody is ask ing now is. What Cuban developments are likely to follow the visit of the sec retary?
 As a result of the secretary's inspec- tion it seems certain that no legislation contemplating independence for the is- land will be recommended to congress for enactment during its coming session and that Cuban affairs will be permitted to drift.
 Secretary Roots trip was undertaken in the interest of his health, but he took advantage of the opportunity to confer with officials and talk with prominent leaders of Cuban thought and to examine the conditions which are the outgrowth of American rule.
 My trip" Mr. Root said last night, was simply continuation of that which 1 made last spring. At that time I wis ited the western part of Cuba and exam ined conditions prevailing there. I de- sired to see for myself the conditions ex- isting in eastern Cuba and went directly to that part of the island.
 "I found the people generally peaceful and contented and pursuing their ordi- nary avocations. The island is growing steadily more prosperous, and the people seem to be satisfied"
 Sentiment of the Cubans.
 "What was the sentiment in the east ,f of tha tclo ox,I x,,,< @<, nexation or independence the secretary was asked.
 "I can't answer that question:" Mir. Root responded.
 .Is the Cuban convention making prog ress in the preparation of constitu- tion p
 T did not have an opportunity to at tend the session of the convention. You know my trip was devoted to the eastern part of the island, and all I can say is that conditions there were much the same as l found them last spring in the west ern section"
 This reference to his investigation in the western part of the island is taken to mean that Mir. Root has found that practically all Cubans are trying to ac- quire education in the art of self gov ernment and that they are not impatient 10 aSSuule the OlreCIlOn or Inelr own aI- fairs. At the same time, he fully appre- ciates that the great mass of the Cubans desire to try the experiment of self gov ernment even if the experiment should fail and annexation to the United States should follow.
 It is said that MT. Root does not be- lieve annexation at this time is a practi- cal question, and he Is giving it no con- sideration, but the secretary would not discuss any such question yesterday.
 It Is an open secret here that powerful influences are directly at odds regarding the future of Cuba after the present con stitution shall have been framed and the civil affairs of the island turned over to the Cuban government.
 The administration is pledged to the in dependence of Cuba without reservation. Capitalists, politicians and others who have plans of their own regarding Cuba insist that American interests will com pei the United States to maintain rela- tions with the island closer and more pro- tectiye in character than exist between independent nations.
 The authorities understand, however, that discontent will arise and grow in vol ume at the stay of the American forces, and the problem the administration is confronted with is how the Cubans can be brought to see that their interests necessitate the holding over them of the protecting hand of the United States.