The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-02
THE PROBLEMS IN CUBA.
Senator PIntt says the Island Has q
Great Future.


Great Future.
Senator Plat OF Connecticut and SEN
ator Teller OF Colorado. OF the Senate
Committee on Relations With Cuba, with
their wives, and Charles C. Phelps Secre-
tary OF the committee returned to Wash
ington late Saturday night from their trip
TO Cuba Senator Aldrich. with his wife
aud daughter. remained in Jacksonville
until saturday night and arrived here yes
terday afternoon. These Senators com
posing the subcommittee appointed to
visit the island on tour OF inspection
for the information OF the committee. had
been absent from the Capital seventeen
days and visited all the provinces Of Cuba
except Santiago and Puerto Principe
The understanding Is that the commit
tee will make no formal report OF its visit,
but the facts obtained will be freely used
for the information Of the full committee
and of the SAate as opportunity offers.
Much Of the information gathered by the
members OF the subcommittee comes
from confidential sources and cannot be
made public on account OF the danger OF
disturbing social and political conditions
in the island
Senator Plat. Chairman Of the commit
tee. made this statement regarding the
trip;
I'VE encuired as carefully and com
pletely as we could within the limited time
at our disposal. into the condition Of the
people Of the island. their needs. and the
prospect Of the establishment Of an indie
peut. satisfactory. and stable government
by and for the people Of Cuba We were
in Havana in all FIVE days. We also Wis
tied the provinces Of Pinar del Rio. Matan-
zas. and santa Clara. being unable to go to
Santiago and Puerto Principe as we very
much wished. We saw and conversed with
a great many prominent and leading men
from all portions Of the island. men who
represented different ideas and interests
from intense conservatism to decided radi-
calism and return with much better un-
derstsuding of the problem to be solved
and the steps to be taken in its solution
than We could possibly obtain otherwise
than by personal visit
1t may be said Of all classes in Cuba
that they are locking to the establishment
Of an independent government a Cuban
Republic. a few are impatient. and wish
for immediate and complete Independence.
Others are less impatient. relieving that
sufficient time should be taken to avoid
mistakes and set up the new government
upon such firm basis as to ensure its sue
cess and permanence. All are looking for
ward 10 the municipal elections that are to
take place in the latter part Of May re-
garding such elections as the first tep to
ward the establishment Of the new govern
ment. Much will depend upon the result 4
these elections. II they take plae witt-
out disorder and good officials are elected
that will go far TO prove the capacity OF
the people for Disagreement and steps
can he taken without great delay for
further progress in that direction The
problem is complicated by the fact that
government is an untried experiment
by a people who have had little opportunity
to study its principles. Many Of the more
conservative and business men. unfortu-
nately, show too much disposition to hold
sloof.
I'VE we're much impressed by the evil
dences Of good administration Of the affairs
OF the island under Governor General
Wood. ~ He has a very difficult and COM
plCated problem to deal with conditions
growing out of three hundred years Of Span
ish msrule and the consequent character
Of the people of Cuba make every step in
its solution embarrassing. but we are con-
WINGED that he is the right man in the
right place and that his administration
though firm. is as gentle as possible and
calculated to lead the people wisely 10
the establishment Of an independent gov
eminent which shall have close relations
VIII OUT Ohu anu III WHICH Lue interests
both of the people of Cuba and the United
States shall be surely subserved 1t is
not too much to say that the people OF
Cuba in respect to the formation OF
stable and benefcent government are very
much like children who have to be taught
and led They regard the United States as
their friend and teacher. and as a whole
are quite willing to be guided.
There are great possibilities in the
island. 1t is fertile has great natural
resources and is capable Of supporting a
population four or five times larger than
it numbers at present. On the whole there
has been marvellous recuperatiOn since
the declaration OF peace. but it needs
American capital and American enterprise.
which hesitate as yet to go there. Eng
fish and German capital seems more con-
fident and is being invested. Surely our
own people ought to have as much conf
dence in the future Of Cuba as foreigners
have On the whole we we're much en-
couraged and pleased. The people Of the
United States and Of Cuba should alike eX-
ercise patience. being assured that there
BY progress will be most certain"