The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-21
GOVERNMENT NEEDED FIRST.
THEN WILL BE TIME TO GIVE IN
DEPENDENCE TO CUBA.

sccretary Root Talks of Conditions
in the Island as He Found Them.
Coming Elections VIII BE a Step
ming stone Toward Freedom He
Iyas Much Gratified by What He
saw, and Thinks Cubans Are Max
ing Rapid Progress.
washington, March 2O-Secretary Root
this afternoon gave to President McKin-
lev the results of his observations of af-
fairs in Cuba during his recent trip to the
island Subsequently the Secretary con-
sented to talk for publication as to exist
ing conditions in the island of the posi-
bilties of the people in the direction of
self-government.
The Secreary's views on many import
ant matters affecting the island and its
people were fully given through the Asso-
clated Press before he left Havana.
During Mr.. Roots trip he visited the
province of Havana, Matanzas and Pinar
del Rio, and made it point to note care
fully the condition of the people and their
Industries, and TO discuss with individuals
as we'll as officials in all the places at
which he stopped questions affecting their
interests. His inquiries and observations
covered a large branch of subjects, and
gave him fund of information which
will be valuable to the President and 10
the war department in it's future dealings
with the Cubans.
on the whole the Secretary feels that he
is well repaid for the time required TO
make the Trip for he now has a personal
knowledge of many things which
i
the channel of reports of military author
iues stationed in the island On the whole
the Secretary expresses himself gratified
al what he saw; the people appear to be
getting on very well, and peace prevails
throughout the country.
Naturally the question of the ultimate
independence of the island came up for
discussion during the Secretarys visit
90 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 uppermost in the Cuban mind, are the
formative steps that will bring it about.
The first of these, viz: the holding of the
municipal election at an early date was
a subject that Secretary Root discussed
freely, particularly with the United
States officials on the island, and the ar
engagements for carrying into effect this
first step towards an independent govern
ment were matters into which Mr.. Root
looked very carefully.
Everything to Learn.
These elections" said ne, will be the
Cubans' first effort towards popular gov
ernment 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 carefully
worked out, and the people instructed in
all the details. This involves a vast
amount of labor and takes considerable
time, but ultimately will be worked out
and the elections take place. l hardly be-
lieve, however, that the authorities will
be quite ready for holding the elections
by the first of May"
Mr.. Root was not prepared to venture
an opinion as to when he believed this
government would grant complete indie
pendence to the Cubans. The declaration
in the joint resolution of Congress, how
ever, granting them full Independence
would be carried out. He pointed out how
it would be necessary that the municipal
governments should be firmly established
on working basis, after which attention
would be given to the selection of a CON
stitutional convention for the purpose of
framing a constitution for the islands.
and its adoption by the people.
Following this and the establishment
OF firm government in the island, the
Secretary said would be time for the
formal recognition of the independence of
the island and the withdrawal Of the as
sistance and supervision of the United
States. Mr.. Root made it feature of his
visit to talk with the leaders of what
had been known as the revolutionary ele-
ment of the population and those who arr
opposed to annexation to the United
States, and he says they are not i'm
patient over what are regarded
as necessary and reasonable delays in the
formation of a well established govern
ment realizing that these are necessity
When a stable and settled policy of rule
has been established, the Secretary be
lieves, the island will have a season of
prosperity and that outside capital as well
as much now there, remaining uninvest-
ed because of the uncertainty that exists,
will find its way into the channels of trade
and agriculture.