The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-16
Secretary of War Says He Is Glad He
Visited the Island. for He Has a
Better Grasp of the Situation.
PROPOSES SOME REFORMS
WHICH MAY BE ENFORCED AFTER
MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.
There II No Doubt, He Says. the Joint
Resolution of Will BE
Carried Out-Prosperity Coming.

HAVANA, March 15.-Secretary Root
said to-day when interviewed BY the corre-
spondent of the Associated Press. that he
had come to Cuba for two reasons. In the
first place he desired to see for himself
the working of the various departments.
civil and military, and to investigate. so
far as possible, the character of the work
accomplished. In the second place he de-
sired to see as nan representative men
as possible. including all the business inter-
ests. in order to feel that he was in per-
sonai touch with the requirements of the
island. He went on to say that he had
at all times closely followed all the reports
regarding Cuba, but he had always felt as
sured that, in respect to many matters.
definite knowledge called for personal con-
tact. He now felt that the Cubans had
done wonders. considering the nature of
the strife that had devastated the roun-
try for so long a time. Their conduct and
amiability had greatly impressed him and
he was satisfied. from all that he had seen.
that they were capable of self-government.
1T is necessary. of curse, to prepare
for this said Mr.. Root, "by practical ex-
perience. Nor should it be a cause for sur
prise if the first municipal elections should
not bring to the surface the best elements
of the country. Even in the United States
those who would naturally be supposed to
take an active interest in politics are found
attending to other matters on election day.
This work of preparation is deemed neces-
sary even by the most radical Cubans. AS
soon as the proper explanations are made
to them they recognize that time must
elapse before a race unacquainted with
the simplest forms of government will be-
come able to manage public affairs abso-
lutely without assistance.
WILL KEEP FAITH.
There is no doubt that the United States
will keep faith with the Cuban people
| and the joint resolution Of Congress will
be carried out. But just exactly when.
1t is impossible to say. The municipal cleo
tiogs. which will take place on May 1 will
| prove the first lesson. The object is to
give municipalities home rule in the very
roadest sense, making each self-support-
| ing and making the elected officials answer
| able TO their own people only for the proper
| expenditure of funds. 1t is desirable, as
far as possible. to decentralize all mu-
inequalities from Havana control. The
American officials would then have only
| advisory and supervisory duties.
1.-THE city of Havana would then come
| into the same category with other cities.
The military department of the city would
be abolished and this would enable the
elected municipal government OF Havana
to take the necessary steps to refund the
debt, to obtain a new loan, and to carry
out the works of sewerage and paving
whfoh r nacpcGarV and which should he
commenced as soon as possible. Probably
this work will commence in the early au-
tumn."
Referring to the reports of possible trou-
BILE in the island, Mr.. Root said: These
reports are the result of hysteria or are
circulated by those who for personal ends
wish to see turmoil. There is a close
analogy between these Cuban agitatorS
who talk about taking to the woods and
the American braggarts who insist That
the United States will not give up Cuba.
Both classes are equally unrepresentatlve
of their countries"
Abiding to conversations he had with
many Cubans, representing the various
Industries, he said he thought he had sell
0om met with people more desirous OF
learning the methods of government, ana
that he could see they recognized the diff
ficulty Of the task, since government, like
painting, was an art.
He referred to the fact that presidential
elections In the United States required sew
eral months of preparation in order that
they should be carried to a successful con-
clusion, and he pointed out that the diff
ficulties in Cuba were much greater.
was desired, he said, was that the peasant
IL Cuba should nave equal rights and ia
cilities with the loud-talking man with the
machete
IN THE PROVINCES.
"T have been agreeably surprised" he
continued, ''in visiting various points in
the provinces of Pinar del Rio, Matanzas
- II-.~~o a. Ga - ~~,-xy oy;Io.1ae 80
rehabilitation Everywhers the men were
apparently working; clean houses were in
evidence and there was a general air Of
approaching prosperity. which / had not
expected to detect. In the tobacco districts
1 found that common laborers were receiv-
ing more than 81 a day in American money
and this, although the work is only tenn
porary, proves the falsity of the statements
of general distress. The mayor of GUIANA
jay told me he had in his employ more
than 1000 men.
Another thing that particularly no.
ticed while travelling through the provinces
was that everywhere the American troops
were in good health. Their robust appear
ance and excellent color show apparently
that the climate agrees with them
Passing on to the question of prisons
Mr.. Root paid a high tribute to the work
OF General Wood In this direction, adding:
Some months ago / had personal reports
made to me regarding the conditions of the
prisons and such sights as were then to be
seen do not exist now, for / have inspected
the prisons myself. / consider the cleanli-
ness of the city another remarkable fact.
/ wish a million Americans could witness
rot only the cities that are occupied by
United States troops. but also many towns
that have long since been left absolutely to
the care Of the Cuban population. Even in
the latter cases the streets are kept scrupu-
lousy clean and l feel that the Cubans de-
serve great credit for carrying out this
work. begun under American auspices. 1t
augurs well for the self-government of the
future.
THE growth of the school system Is an
other feature deserving of special notice.
More han 10000 pupils are now enrolled.
L am heartily in accord with the idea of
taking as many teachers as possible for a
summer stay of several weeks i'm the
United, and I will personally do all / can
To assist such a plan.
Taking into consideration everything I
am exceedingly pleased with my visit to
Cuba and l feel that | have a better grasp
OF the situation"
The Discussion, commenting on the inter-
view IL published yesterday between Senior
Gualberto Gomez and Secretary Root, SAYS:
1.-THE statement made by Mr.. Root TO the
effect that the joint resolution of Congress
Will be fulfilled should not be commented
on by any devotee of Cuban Independence
All such will do best TO incline their heads
reverently and say Amen"
At the meeting of thu Society Of Planters
to-day IL was announced that the finance
reform committee had decided not TO i'm
pose a tax upon tobacco seedlings. IL was
also reported that Secretary Root had
agreed to uphold a reduction by Congress
- rEA duties Aa Ctthan 1910 1t