The age-herald., 1900-03-16
PLEASED AT GREAT PROGRESS
United States Will Keep Faith With
 the People.
CUBANS ARE ANXIOUS TO LEARN
He Thinks the Reports of Turmoil Are the Result of Hysteria or Cir culated by Certain Persons
 for Profit

Havana, Cuba, March 15.-lSecretary Root as Interviewed by the correspondent of the Associated Press, said that he had come to Cuba for two reasons. In the first place, he desired to see for himself the workings of the various departments, civil and mill itary, and to investigate so far as possible the character of the work accomplished. In the second place, he desired to see all representative men soon as possible, in- cluding all the business interests, 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 reports re- garding Cuba, but he had felt assured that in respect to many matters definite knowl- edge called for personal contact. He now felt that the Cubans had done wonders, considering the nature of the strife that had devastated the country for so long a time. Their conduct and amiablity has greatly impressed him, and he was satis- fled from all that he had seen that they were capable of eN-government.
 "It is necessary, of course, to prepare for this, said MT. Root" by practical ex- perience. Nor should 1t be a cause for surprise if 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 foe supposed to take an active interest in politics. are found attending to other mat ters on election day. This work of prepa- ration is deemed necessary even by the most radical Cubans. As soon as the prop CT explanations are made them, they will recognize that they must elapse before a race unacquainted with the simplest form of government will become able to manage affairs absolutely without assistance.
 United States vii. Keep Faith
 ''T,he'e is no doubt that the United States will ke ap faith with the Cuban people, and the jornt resolution of congress will be carried out. But just exactly when, it is impossible to say. The municipal elections which will take place on May 1 will prove the first lesson. The object is to give mu- nicipalitieS home rule in the very broad est sense, making each self-supporting and making the elected officials ansWeraole to their own people only flor the proper ex- penditure of funds. It is desirable as far as possible to centraliZe all municipalities from Havana control The American offi- cials would have then only advisory and supervisory duties.
 'FTlhe city of Havana would then come into the same category With other cities The military department eff the city would be abolished, and this would enalJie the elected municipal government of Havana to take the necessary steps to refund the debt, to obtain a new loan and to carry out the works of sewerage and paving which are necessary and which should be commenced as soon as possible. Proba bly this work will commence in the early au- tumn."
 Referring to the reports of possible n ttnn elu s1s, nT, D
 ''Iihese reports are the result of qlys- teIta, or are circulated by those who for personal ends wish to see turmoil There ds close analogy between the Cuban agi- tatorS 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 unrepresentative Of their countrdes.
 Dosirous of Learning
 Alluding to conversations ne mad with many Cubans representing the various in- dustrfes, he said he elhougiht he had sell dom met with people more desirous of learning the methods of government and tEiFait he could see that they recognized the difficulty of the task. since government like painting, was an art.
 He referred to the fact that presidential elections in the United States required sey eral months of preparation in order that they should be carried to successful con- clusion, and he pointed out that the dif f1culties in Cuba were much greater. That what was desired, he said, was that the peasant in Cuba should have equal riehts and facilities with the loud talking man with the machete.
 "I have been much surprised' he contin ued fn visiting various points in the pro- vinces of Pinar del Rio- Matanzas and Ha- vana, to find so many evidences of re- mobilization. Everywhere the men were aDDarantly WOrxiDg. evidence and there was general air of ap- preaching prosperity, which I had not ex- pected to detect. In the tobacco districts l found that common laborers were receiv- ing more than four dollars a day in Ameri- can money and this although the work is only temporary, proves the falsity of the Statements of general distress. The mayor or Guanajay told me he had in his employ more than one thousand men. Another thing tlat particularly noticed while trav- cling through the provinces was that every where the American troops were in good health. Their robust appearance and ex- cellent color show apparently that the cli- mate agrees with them."
 Question of Prisons
 Passing on to the question of prisons, Mr. Root paid a high tribute to the work of General Wood dn this direction, adding:
 ''Some months ago had personal reports made to me regarding the condition of the prlSotS, anu Sucn SlgntS as were then to be seen don't exist now, for I have inspected the prisons myself. l conider the cleanlf- ness of the city another remarkable fact wish million Americans could witness not only the cities that are occupied by 1 United States troops, but also many towns l thai have long since been left absolutely to | the care of the Cuban population. Even in 1 the latter cases the streets are kept scrupu- l lously clean and feel that the Cubans de- | serve great credit for carrying out this |