Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-25
General Ludlow's Views as to the
Needs Of the People.
QUESTION OF SELF-G0VERNMENr
Danger of Extending Universal
Suffrage at the Present.
N ED OF EXPERIENCE
Copyright, 1900, by ]. D. whelpley)

Copyright, 1900 by ]. D. Whelpley)
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
HAVANA, January 20.-Brigadier Cen
era William Ludlow, who is now in COM
mand of the Department of the City of
Havana, has acquired during residence
in Cuba, which commenced with the open
ing gun of the war against Spain, year
ago last June, an intimate and intelligent
knowledge of the political conditions pre-
vailing here. 1t is likely that his depart
ment will, within few months, be ex-
tended to include the provincial area as
well, and there seems little doubt that Cen
eral Ludlows services will be retained for
this wider field Of usefulness by the adj
miu'stration. General Wood has expressed
himself as having a very high opinion of
General Ludlow's ability and technical
knowledge, and has also expressed great
satisfaction with the results accomplished
in the city of Havana, under General Lud-
lows direction. When asked as to his
views on the all-absorbing question of the
Cuban franchise in the approaching cleo
ton, General Ludlow said
In replying to questions of that char
acter, affecting matters of import, which
are naturally under serious consideration
by all concerned, what / say must be taken
as merely representing my views. as
derived from personal experience, and in
no manner are they to be regarded as pos
sessing any official character or authority.
They are simply my private opinions"
But continued the general. Il certainly
thing the limitations of suffrage should be
drawn to exclude iliteracy. The reasons
for this seem manifold and conclusive,
whether from the historical the political
or the economic standpoint. Historically,
we have an opportunity of observing the
conditions existing in neighboring islands,
where the illiterate multitudeS drive the
destlnfes of the country along what are
apparently retrogressive routes.
Menace of Universal Suffrage.
with universal suffrage in the Island of
Cuba at this time / should consider its
future a self-governing community
gravey compromised.
1.-The percentage of illiteracy can be de-
termined only after the data of the recent
census becomes available. 1t is currently
estimated at q, to SO per cent, by no means
an Incredible figure, as, from recent data
the peninsula of Spain itself. comprising
1s.GOnUo souls. contains 6.OO0, 900 who do
not read and write. The Soanards never
encouraged or furthered popular education
In cuba, giving it a merely nominal recog-
milton, a course which can be explained by
their seeming indifference to the matter at
home, and partly, PERHAPS for the same
reason that before the war the southern
planters discouraged the education of the
blacks as tending to make them more for
midable.
THE methods of administration Of tho
government OF country are the exponent
OF It's advance in civilization. There can
be no question that the vital future inter-
ests oil Cuba depepd upon the intelligence,
tne ofderilness, the capacity and the intes-
rlty OF those charged with the responsible
ity.
In my Judgment, it would be a bitter
traves'y Of Independence and a profound
wrong TO Cuba were its destinies to be now
intrusted to its least. informed and, from
the immediate view of intelligent citizen
ship, the hopeless class of its population.
l nave not the least doubt that the majority
and future prosperity of the people would
concur in this, view: The opposing view is
likely to be held by the huge majority,
suffrage. and by those who desire to control
the tremendous power of the ignorant vote
10 further their own ends-individual or no.
litical ia P'-