The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-21
Time of Granting Independence De-
pends Progress of Cubans
in Learning SeIf-Rule.
GOMEZ SCORES sBARRETTI
SAYS THE BISHOP OF HAVANA
sHOULD QUIT THE ISLAND.
Also Says the Pope, who Blessed
weyIer's Army, Is Responsible for
the Schism I'm the Church.


Root this afternoon gave to President Nc
Kinley the results of his observations of
affairs In Cuba during his recent trip to
the island Subsequently the secretary
consented to talk for publication as TO
existing conditions in the island and the
possibilities of the people in the direction
of self-government. The secretary's views
in many important matters affecting the
island and its people were very fully given
before he left Havana.
During Mr.. Roots trip he visited the
provinces Of Havana. Matanzas and Pinar
del Rio and made it point to note care
fully the conditions of the people and their
industries and to discuss with individuals
as we'll as officials. in all the places where
he stopped, questions affecting their in
terests. His inquiries and observations
covered large branch of subjects and
gave him fund of information which will
be of value to the President and to the
War Department in its future dealings
with the Cubans. On the whole the sec
retary feels that he is well repaid for the
time required to make the trip. for he now
has personal knowledge of many things
which heretofore he had heard of only
through the channel of reports OF the, mill
tary authorities stationed on the island.
On the whole the secretary expresses him
self as satisfied with what he saw: the
people appear to be getting along very we'll
and peace prevails throughout the country
Naturally the question of the ultimate
independence of the island came UP for
discussion during tfrca sscretafys s~~fsits<>.
Cuba, but he was not prepared to say just
when the United States government would
be willing that this should be a reality.
Incidentally to this matter which Is upper
most In the Cuban mind. are the formative
steps that will bring 1t about. The first
of these. namely, the holding of the muni-
cipal elections at early date SUBJ
ject that Secretary Root discussed freely,
particularly with the United States off,
cials on the island. and the arrangements
for carrying into effect this first step to-
wards an independent government were
matters into which Mr.. Root looked very
carefully.
These elections" said the secretary,
will be the Cubans' first effort towards
popular government. Unaccustomed as
they are to these things, they are as the
babe unborn and have everything to learn.
The whole plan for making effective the
scheme of municipal suffrage has to be
very carefully worked out and the people
instructed In all the details This involves
vast amount of labor and takes consid-
cradle time. but ultimately will be worked
out and the elections take place. / hardly
believe, however, that the authorities will
be quite ready for holding the elections
by the 1st of May.
Secretary Root was not prepared to
venture an opinion to just when he
believed this government would grant COM
plete independence to the Cubans. The
declaration in the joint resolution of Con-
gress. however, granting them full inde-
pendence, would be carried out. He point
ed out how it would be necessary that the
municipal governments should be firmly
| established on a working basis. after which
attention would be given to the selection of
constitutional convention for the purpose
of framing constitution for the island
and its adoption by the people. Following
this and the establishment of a firm gov
ernment in the island, the secretary felt
would be time for the formal recognition
of the independence of the island and the
withdrawal of the assistance and super
vision OF the authorities of the United
States.
Mr.. Root made it a feature of his visit
to talk with the leaders of what has been
known as the revolutionary element of the
population and those who are opposed TO
annexation to the United States, and he
says they are not impatient over what are
regarded as necessary and reasonable
delays in the formation of a we'll
tablished government, realizing that these
are a necessity. When a stable and settled
policy OF rule has been established the Sec
retary believes the island will have
season of prosperity. and that outside capi-
tai as well as much now there remaining
uninvested. because of the uncertainty that
exists, will find its way into the channels
of trade and agriculture.