The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-02-18

any case II exists. To-day In the
| country districts Cubans arc working for
| Spaniards nni yicc versa. Among the great
majority Of the inhabitants It IL tacitly agreed
10 let bygonrs be- byRones. and II IL unlikely
| that any deviation from this line Of action will
| occur IN the future. whether under tho United
States Dag or with Cuba INDEPENDENT. More
over. Spanish immigration has come 20 the Is
land in very considerable numbers since the
conclusion Of tbs war. md the Cubans quito
recognize tho adylssD,lity Of encouraging
Spanlards 10 come to Cuba 70 I'll the void occa-
| slonoi by tho great loss Of life during the revo-
lutionary period from 1895 10 1888.
The acu,c stage OF distress which was ono OF
tho most prominent features OF the Cuban sit
uation at the close Of lS,s has now been
passed "a far IA all practical purposes are con-
ccrned. Harris hips OF many kinds and suffer-
Ing In various quarters are OF course still being
experienced among different sections OF tho
population. Nor Is II possible TO expect any
other condition Of affairs inter the upheaNal
that took place In Cuba during the years OF 70.
volt against Spanish authority. Help ID needed
for the assistance ofthousands OF WIDOWS whose
husbands fell In the struggle against Spaln'
ORDINANCES are necessarj to house. ciotile'
feed and educate the children who have been
left without ZONE or friends. The cuban
Orphans funds subscribed In New YORK are
doing good work at Remedies. In the province
Of santa Clara. and at santa Maria de Rosario.
near Havana. Gen, Ludlow Is also pushing
forward the preparations for an asylum canable
OF receiving 400 inmates in the island metrop-
oils In other directions charitable Efforts
are being made to meet the needs OF the case.
Il is necessary. however, that institutions be
tnnai,. lon1n thnn a
be effected by private initiative. and II remains
for the Government to take the matter In
hnnd. It would b. difficult to find a
better employment for the surplus Cuban
revenue than it's expenditure in the iounda-
ton of permanent orphan refugees for the
children OF the Cubans who died in the long
protractcd struggle for their liberty. The
amazing fertility OF the soil has happily res
cued the majority Of tho inhabitants from the
state OF collapse aud prostration existing after
the war.
To the admirable work lone by Mr.. Charles
W. Gould in November and Decem Der. 1873.
was due the first reaction-the first prac-
teal steps toward the reconstruction Of the in
dustrial lie OF the island. The name Of Mr..
Gould is remembered to-day with respect and
affection by a large section Of the population 70
NDO-t hlI ne IIilllNAtl'i III N"p hcNN ~ ''N''
utIost need. The local committees formed
throughout central md western Cuba at the
close OF 1879 to enable the people to leave the
c.ties and resume work In the fields worked
well. In the province OF Havana no fewer than
5000 persons we're enabled TO start afresh In
the country districts and become once more
self.suprorting by agricultural labor. In
April, 1879. the Havana committee advised
-. D.o1I., ,ba, Fur bar food ralnf IA tina paO-
pie sent to the fields was unnecessary, but
advised strongly that assistance be lent in the
shape OF plow-oyen and farm implements,
to allow the further extension OF agricultural
reconstruction. This advice was ignored: had
it been acted upon the island would to-day be
nearer the period Of prosperity now well
within sight. and much hardship be allsrt-
ated. All that. however. IL past beyond recall.
There is no longcr any widespread distress.
The Cuban people are finding their " sal
walton In filling thu soil o. their country. and
nature Is helping their efforts, The Cuhans
before the in,urrection were noted IA an In
dustrious people. and they are taking up again
the same lines az formerly. Industry in this
island means wealth and Cuba is on the high
road to become rich again. In spite OF all tho
misfortunes anl vicissitudos she has under
EOIt TN ~ "NA AN" 'b"''' ~
struggle has been severe. but the race is now
almost run. and the goal is nearly reached.
II was constantly asserted not long since that
the lcrarture Of tho Spaniarls would newt
ably see a bitter rivalry spring up between tina
whites and the colored people in this island.
There Is no indication OF any such conflict at
the present iuncture. There Is no color line.
no friction apparent. The peonle are working
together. and conformity aiding in the recon-
s~truction OF Cuban economic and industrial
prosperity and progress. In the Mer'ed Hos
pitai at Havana may be seen white Cuban
nurses, many OF them young girls Of education
and distinguished family connections, attend
ing upon White and colored patients without
d distinction. Can any better proof Of harmony
be cited2
The s~o-callad political situation in Cuba at
the present moment Is not n matter for any
great concern or anxiety. There are no well
deln d political parties with prearranged
and decided programme in regard TO political
questions. TIE majority Ct tho Cuban- can
not spare time to come to crowtcd centres TO
discuss affairs which hava no iirect bear
ing upon the work they have in hand-yiz;
the reconstruction OF IN. island Industries. II
a vote could be taken throughout the country
there il small doubt that the majority Of the
inhabitants would declare in favor Of an in
dependent government. buy with the provIso
that they are %content 10 walt a while until
more settled economic conditions prevail before
this concession he granted to them. Many Of
the property owners would prefer annexation
to tho United States. this preference being
shown Oh The g,ounds that real estate would
advance in value and the material interests
Of tha resilcntS SuhStlntiully improyr1 by the