The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1900-03-23
ROOTS TRIP To CUBA.
The Object of the Secretary o. Wars
Visit Made Known.
Confident That the United states
VIII Keep Faith with the Cuban
PeopIe-No Fears of an Upris-
Ing Are Felt.

Havana. March l6.-SSretary Root
said. when interviewed that he had
come to Cuba for two reasons. In
the first place he desired 10 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 desired TO see
as many representative men as posi-
BILE. including all the business inter.
ests. in order to feel that he was in
personal touch with the requirements
OF the island.
He went on TO say that he had at
all times closely followed all the re-
ports regarding Cuba, but he had al
ways felt assured that, in respect TO
many matters. definite knowledge
called for personal contact. He now
felt that the Cubans had done won
ders, considering the nature of tho
strife that had devastated the coun-
try for so long a time. Their con
duct and amiability had greatly inn
pressed him, and he was satisfied
from all that he had seen that they
were capable of self-goyernment.
lit is necessary, of course, To pre-
pare for this" said Mr.. Root, "by
practical experience. Nor should il
be a cause for surprise IL 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 10 take an active interest in
politics are found attending TO other
matters I'm election day. This work
Of preparation is deemed necessary
even by the most radical Cubans. rs
soon as the proper explanations are
made TO them they recognize that
time must elapse before q race unac-
quainted with the simplest forms OF
government will become able 10 man
age public affairs absolutely without
assistance.
There 10 no doubt that tho United
States will keep faith with the Cuban
people and the joint resolution of
congress will be carried out. But just
exactly when il is impossible 10 say
The municipal elections which will
take place on May ! will prove the
first lesson. The object is TO give mu-
inequalities home rule IN the very
broadest sense. making each self-sup-,
porting and making the elected OF
iicers answerablc TO their own people
only for the proper expenditure OF
funds. IL is desirable as far as pos
s.ble 20 dcccntralizc all municipalities
from Havana control The American
officials would then only have advis-
DRY and supervisory duties.
"The city OF Havana would then
come into the same category with
other cities. The military depart
ment of the city would bc abolished,
and this would enable the elected mu-
nicipal government of Havana TO take
the necessary STEPS to refund the
debt, to obtain new loan and 10
carry out the works of sewerage and
paving which are necessary and which
should he commenced as soon as pos
sible. Probably this work will COM
mence in the early autumn
referring TO the reports of possible
trouble in the island, Mr.. Root said:
These reports are the result of hys-
terra or are circulated by those who.
for personal ends, wish to see tur-
moil. There is close analogy be
tween 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 I'M
representative of their countries"
Abiding 10 conversations he had
with many Cubans representing the
various industries. he said he thought
he had seldom met with people more
DESTROYS of learning the methods OF
government, and that he could see
they recognized the difficulty of the
task, since government, like painting
was an art.