The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-09-03
CUBANS APATHETIC CONCERNING THEIR
FUTURE CONDITION---GOSSIP AND NEWS

then refers to the feeling OF distrust on
the part of the Cubans consequent upon
the delay In the withdrawal of the troops.
The presidents proclamation Is freely
criticised. Objection Is taken TO the
number Of delegates to the convention
thirty-one-Senor Cisneros stating that
flfty-six Is the proper number, eight
from each province. including Matanzas'
which he advises to be separated from
Havana. The senior takes exception 10
the law of minority representation IN ma
vana (which cannot fail to act as an IN
Justice to the other communities, mas
much as all election laws should be gen
eral and not promulgated In the inter-
ests of q given community. but should
apply to the whole island, from cape
Maisi to that of San Antonio. senior
Cisneros also says, 1--WE are striving TO
form government upon the MODEL OF
that of the United States. and the only
obstacle in our way is the government
of the United States itself" II distrust
the intention of the administration at
Washington is another remark oil the
ex-president.
Friction Is Unfortunate.
1t is absolutely lamentable to have
friction at this time. Cuba will in every
instance be dealt with leniently and gen
erously. At the same moment Cupa
must he reasonable and not expect that
which has never come to any other peo-
pie under like conditions. she shouio
look to the history of the world for her
guidance and follow In the paths trod-
den by peoples similarly situated. Inc
United States is doing and will do better
for her than Cuba understands or can
understand. Freedom and happiness are
at her very door, and nothing but poilt-
zeal suicide can keep her from enjoying
q freedom that Is classed as the hlghest
and most secure of all happiness. that re-
sulting from absolute freedom and inter-
nal independence. coupled with restrlc-
tive protectorate only to the extent that
1t may say that Cuba shall never In any
wise enter into compactS that shall harm
her benefactor or place her interests III
jeopardy Undoubtedly the political rae
lions ut home are stirring up the CUBAN
people to disbelleve the administration.
but 1t seems sorry thing that an Amer
lean citizen, whatever Els politics may
be, would even for n moment consent 10
believe, or rather pretend to believe, that
his country could be guilty OF ma
grant breach of faith, could forsWear her
plighted word. and be guilty OF treachery
to the struggling nation she mas TAKEN
under her protection, and for whom her
own sons have given up their lives
Whatever ones politics. surely no amer
lean can think over the postoffice defal-
in every way, whenever the opportunity
presents, aid in the efforts of the govern
ment to make good the loss TO the lslahu
and bring the Offenders to trial. III mas
been a gross and terrible crime, ana
cannot see how one of our nation shoulu
assert that the government was AFRAID
10 handle the matter fairly and justly.
The administration has spared and Is
sparing no pains to bring the truth 10
light Some of the most capable ana eX-
perienced men in the department OF post
Offices expert accountants. hne stehos-
raphers, bookkeepers. etc, nave peeh ue-
tailed to re-audit the accounts Oh the de-
partment of posts. investigate ana report
upon every disbursement. Nhile hluch
remains to be done, still great progress
has been made, an immensely oil ac-
counts, etc, investigated ana MT LdWshe'
assistant auditor for the island OF Cuba,
assigned TO duty as auds9r Tor me ue-
partment of postoificeS, following strlctiy
his oral and written instructions under
direction of the secretary oil war, mas
carefully uuraveled the tangled skeln
Regarding General Rathbone.
Mrs. Rathbone. wife of the late director
general OF posts. took passage Oh Ht-
Havana Yesterday for the states. IL Is
stated that she goes to intercede for her
husband with the powers that be, and that
for MANY weeks she has been gathering
together documentary evidence ana data
concerniag the expenditures of former
officers of the government In Havana
Iurporting to represent far greater
amount Of extravaganza than that with
which her husband Is charged. but which
caused no comment. This is just current
gossip, and may have no foundation. The
fact remains that Mrs Rathbone has
gcne to the states. and ii is most natural
hn oh M n yz
husbands behalf.
1t seems a little peculiar. and is some
thing / can't understand. Why is it that
General Rathbone and Mr.. Nicely. etc. il
committed for trial. should not be tried
by the United States court? If the United
States makes good TO Cuba. as she has
pledged herself to do. the amount Of the
said defalcation. what more has Cuba got
to do with the matterA The United States
is the loser. why should she not be the
prosecutor? l feel. at any rate, that both
mercy and Justice demand that the trials.
II trials there be. are conducted before
United States judge, before jury oil
American citizens. The methods OF pro
cedure In the Cuban courts are the anti
thesis of justice. a parody upon an en-
lightened judiciary. while OF mercy there
is none. 1t looks from the result of the
trial of the customs house offenders that
II one has friends at court. trial Is a
farce. while without friends. or money.
man is lost. Every one Of the CUSTOMS
house offenders goes free. and the last few
days of the so-called trial were consumed
in listening to the reading of a lengthy
document. the apology of the court for
the acquittaL
General Wood and party leave Santiago
today on their return home around the
eastern shore of the island. Everywhere
General Wood has been received with hos
pitality and enthusiasm his old province,
Sanfiapo erecting with acclamations the
man who ruled there wisely and well.
Sixty-two cases OF fever tyellow) are
reported under treatment this morning