Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-09-25
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Former Consul General Explains the
Proposed Establ ishment Of On
Independent Government.
Revolutionary rsrty In Cuba Sue,
csssful In Nearly All the
Province Elections
Leo Questions the Ability Of thu
Cubans. to Govern Them.
selves Ably.

Washington, Sept. 25.-Gen. Ntzhugh
Lee has given his first authorized inter-
view since his return from Cuba The
statements he makes carry more than
ordinary weight and interest, as he is
considered one of the best posted men
on Cuban affairs. His residence in the
island previous to the war with Spain,
and since its termination, has given
him unusual facilities for learning the
exact status of affairs there and for
marking every development. His views
coincide in almost every particular with
those officers of the government who
have had Cuban affairs in charge. The
interview with Gen. Lee follows:
The Cubans have held their local
elections preliminary to the establish
sment of a government for the island,
and will meet in convention Nov. IS to
provide for the machinery OF govern
ment. BY the terms OF the fourth
clause of hesresolution Of intervention
to secure the freedom Of Cuba, congress
disclaimed any intention to exercise
sovereignty over Cuba, except for the
pacification OF the island, and promised
10 leave the government and control OF
the island to its people when that
should be accomplished. Under this
declaration steps nave been taken look
ing to the establishment OF stable
government by the people. In the exer-
else of the franchise those who served
in the army of the revolution against
Spain are excepted from the restriction
placed upon the voter that he must be
possessed OF 5000 worth of property, or
be able to read and write. All who
served in the Revolutionary army are at
liberty to vote without restrictions.
The revolutionary party which has
been largely successful in the recent
elections. desires Immediate independ-
snce. without any sort of protectorate,
control on supervision by the United
States, and the Immediate withdrawal
CT the American troops. The more con-
servative people merchants and bust
ness men, many of whom are Spanish,
and the Cubans of some wealth and
substantial business interests, together
with the foreigners, OF whom there are
many of different nationality, desire the
continuance of the supervision of the
United States.
The United States undertook the re-
sponsibility OF the establishment OF a
stable form OF government and is
pledged to the protection Of the British,
German, French and other foreign sub
iects residing and doing business in
Cuba. If the Cubans form an entirely
independent government, rejecting all
supervision or control by the United
States, and the United States, acqulesc-
ing, withdraws its troops, relinquishing
all authority. question arises as to the
guaranteed protection of foreign inter-
sests If any disorder should arise and
foreign subjects should be injured and
foreign affairs suffer, all responsibility
being abandoned by the United States,
the power whose subjects We're Injured
or whose interests We're threatened
would undoubtedly send war vessels.
perhaps many of them, to the ports OF
Cuba to insure the protection which we
no longer gave and to compel repatriation
If injury had been done. You under
stand what this means.
Il do not know what this govern
5ment will do If a government which re-
jects all connection with the United
States is organized and, the withdrawal
of our troops demanded. 1t may be, II
there is a plain indication of disorder OF
inability on the part Of the newly
formed government to preserve order
and TO protect foreigners, that we will
retain troops on the island for the pur-
pose Of protection until the stability o1
the new government Is assured.
AS to the constitution, he said:
Everything in connection with 1t is
problematical and experimental. IL the
Cubans can frame constitution and
prove their ability to govern them
selves. so we'll and so good; but il the.
cant do this for themselves-weli, then
somebody will have to do 1t for them
Gen. Lee subsequently called at The
war department and paid his respects 4
Lieut.. Gen. Miles and Adjt. Gen. Cor.
i.bin.
THE United States troops can not BIT
lremoved from the Philippines under
fire. he declared, when asked what hi
Thought of the situation in the Philip
Ipines. He said he did not care to sa,
lanything further on that subject, but i
was quite evident that he fully APP
lproved of the administrations pole.
toward the Philippines.
\
Foul riny II suspected.
Hannibal, Mo-. Sept. Judge Fields
of the Rails county court, who lef
home on July Is. is still missing and hi
friends are unable to account Cor hi
scontinued absence. He left with tn,
avowed intention OF going to Texas t
seek a new location. He came directl!
Ito Hannibal and cashed bankabie pa