The Penn's Grove record., 1900-03-23
SECRETARY ROOT ON CUBA
The Island is Tranquil and Almost
Everybody is Satisfied.
The Natives Are Not Impatient. He Says
About Taking the Reius of Govern.
ment I'm Their Own Hands.

WASHINGTON, D. G. notwithstanding
Root and his party returned to Washing
ton, making the last stages OF their Jour
ney from Cuba by rail from Charleston, s.
c., where they landed. The Secretary ex.
pressed himself much pleased with what
be had seen and heard while In Cuba. The
island was tranquil, he said, and almost
everybody appeared to be satisfied with
the manner In which Cuban affairs were
being conducted by the United States Gov
eminent.
II think the Cubans are getting to un-
derstand that steady progress is being
made toward the establishment OF theiI
government. do not think they wish the
present condition Of affairs to continue, but
they are not impatient about taking over
the government"
Secretary Root made this statement after
he had reported to the President and re
turned to the War Department to catch up
with the business Of his branch Of the gov
eminent.
"The strongest men In Cuba" he con
tinued, realize that the education OF the
inhabitants of the island is going on as
rapidly as it can. The Cubans are capable
Of learning the art of government and are
very anxious to learn. They lave taker
very kindly to the business Of education
Regarding the capabilities OF the Cubans
for exercising self-government, Mr.. Roo
said:
81 think the Cubans can learn to organize
a good, simple, stable government, and
that they are very anxious to learn, and
are taking kindly to 1t. A good many OF
the strongest Cubans and Of the radica
DEMONSTRATING veterans-protested to me
against having the Cubans judged by men
who talked about the United States, hay.
ing selfish and bad intentions toward the
island.
1.-THE island is in a very satisfactory con-
dition, politically and otherwise. Every
thing is quiet and serene. I would like to
have our people go to Cuba and look over
the island. The cities and towns are clearly
ard everything is In excellent condition
The island Is consequently healthy. Very
few OF the troops are on the sick list.
"It is the purpose OF the department to
withdraw troops from time to time. but as
a result OF my trip 1t Is not proposed to &C.
celerateS such withdrawal. It Is intended
to reduce the military force after a time,
Nothing is to be done now. / have taken
no action respecting the formation Of
Cuban hattalions. We have no authority
at present to take such action. To do SC
now would necessitate the discharge o.
some OF the volunteers In SERVICE"
when will the municipal elections 90.
cur?" the Secretary was asked.
"Some time the latter part Of MAY OF
june" he replied. cit is proposed to hold
them as soon after May / as the arrange
ments can be perfected.
"As to qualifications of voters, they seem
to be settling down to the threefold alter.
native qualification: First, all those have
the right to vote who own property, a very
small class; second, all who can read and
write, and third, all who have been soldier
in the Cuban army.
"The annexation of the island to the
United States Is not a present practical
question. 1t is a matter hat will have tc
be postponed until the people feel that
they have learned the lesson OF self gov.
ernment. There are some people on the
Island who talk about annexation, but this
question is not causing any concern. The
people are concerned with the question of
learning to govern themselves, and they
are doing everything in their power to &C
qutre the necessary education"