New-York tribune., 1900-04-02
CUBANS NEED GUIDANCE.
SENATE COMMISSIONS STATEMENT =
WOODS RULE PRAISED.

Washington, April 1.-The subcommittee of
the Senate, consisting of Senators Platt Adrich
and Teller. which went to Cuba for the purpose
Of personally Investigating conditions the
island with view to intelligent action by Con-
eress with respect to Cuba. has returned to
Washington. Senator Platt chairman of the
subcommittee, tonight authorized the follow
ing statement concerning the sub committees
observations:
We inquired as carefully and completely as
we could with the limited time at our disposal
into the condition of the people of the island
their needs and the prospect of the establish
ment of an independent. satisfactory and stable
government by and for the people of Cuba. We
were in Havana in all five days. We also Wis
tied the provinces of Pinar del Rio, Matanzas
and Santa Clara, being unable to go to Santiago
and Puerto Principe, very much wished.
We and conversed with a great many
prominent and leading men from all portions
of the island, men who represented different
10 decldeu radlcaIism ana return with much
better understanding of the problem be
solved and the steps to be taken in it's solution
than we could possibly obtain otherwise than
by personal visit.
1t may be said of all classes in Cuba that they
are looking to the establishment of an indie
pendent government. a Cuban republic. few
are impatient and wish for immediate and COM
plete independence Others less impatient,
believing that sufficient time should be taken
to avoid mistakes and to set up the new gov
ernment upon such firm basis as to insure it's
success and permancncc. All are looking for
ward to the municipal elections that are TO take
place in the latter part Of May, regarding such
elections as the first step toward the establish
ment of the new government Much will de-
pend upon the result of these elections. If they
take place without disorder and good officials
elected that will go far TO prove the ca
pacity of the people for self government, and
steps can be taken without great delay for fur
ther progress in that direction. The problem is
complicated by the fact that self-government is
a untred experiment by q people who have
its details its necessities its responsibilities.
Many of the more conservative citizens and
business men. unfortunately, show too much
disposition to hold aloof.
We We're much impressed by the evidences Of
good administration of the affairs of the island
under GOVernor-General Wood. He has a very
difficult and complicated problem to deal with,
conditions growing out of three hundred years
of Spanish misrule, and the consequent character
of the people of Cuba make every step in it's So
luton embarrassing, but convinced that
he is the right man in the right place, and that
his administration, though firm, is gentle as
possible, and calculated to lead the people wise
ly to the establishment of independent gov
ernment which shall have close relations with
our own, and in which the interests both of the
people of Cuba and the United States shall be
surely subserved 1t is not too much to say
that the people of Cuba in respect to the for
nation of a stable and benefcent government,
are very much like children who have to be
taught and led. They regard the United States
their friend and teacher. and a whole are
quite willing to be guided.
There are great possibilities in the island. It
is fertile, has great natural resources, and is
capable of supporting a population four five
times larger than it numbers at present On
the whole, there has been marvellous recupera-
tion since the declaration of peace, but it needs
American capital and American enterprise,
which hesitate yet to go there English and
German capital seems more confident and is
being invested. Surely people ought
to have much confidence in the future of
Cuba foreigners have. On the whole, we
were much pleased and encouraged. The peo-
pie of the United States and of Cuba should
alike exercise patience, being assured that
thereby progress will be most certain.