The Savannah morning news., 1901-03-26
TO PROTECT PORTS
CUBAN LAWS WILL PROVIDE THE
NEEDED SAFEGUARDS.
so MAYOR MYERS LEARNED,
HE AND HEALTH OFFICER BRUN-
NER BACK FROM HAVANA.

| MIR. Myers Believes This Country
VIII Have to Exercise General
Supervision Over Cuba for Many
Years-PeOpIe of the Island, as n
Rule, Are Not Capable of Govern
ment-TwO-thirds of the POpula-
ton Totally MISUNDERSTANDING
Conditions of Havana Greatly I'm
proved-Activity in Agricultural
Lands.
This country" said Mayor Herman
Myers yesterday. will, in my opinion,
have TO exercise a general supervision
over the affairs of Cuba for many years
to come. The people of the island. as
| whole, are not able to govern themselves
without aid from the United States, and I
believe this aid will have TO be afforded.
Some of the wealthy class of Cubans
are for annexation to the United States
but they are decidedly in the minority.
This policy is countenanced by those
among the most highly educated in the
island. but not more than one-third Of
the Cubans are educated. The other two
thirds are totally ignorant. In educa-
ton they do not occupy even so high
position as the negroes OF the South.
Manifestly, II would be impossible to turn
over absolute power of government to
people OF that character until such time
as they may have become better capaci-
ated to exercise 1t. To turn the govern
ment of the Southern states over to the
negroes. absolutely. would be no less I'M
wise. comparatively speaking, than to
place such power in the hands of the Gu
bans"
The Mayor and Dr. W. F. Drummer,
health officer, returned yesterday after
noon from Havana, where they had been
on weeks visit. Their trip was for a
combination of business and pleasure. 1t
was sem-oficial. too, as abe interests of
/ Savannah in common with those of other
Southern ports, were considered.
Since the inception of the movement for
Constitutional Convention for Cuba, Mr..
Myers has been impressed with the i'm
portance of laws for the governance of
the island having embodied in them some
provision for the protection of the United
States, particularly the Southern States,
from the introduction from Cuba of con-
tagious diseases One of the purposes of
the visit of the officials was to exert what
ever influence they could to bring about
the establishment of safeguards for the
Southern ports In the laws that are now
being framed In Havana by the conven-
ton.
II have no doubt" said the Mayor,
that precautions will be taken. In fact,
we were assured that the direction of the
health functions of the government would
continue to be exercised by the United
States Marine Hospital Service, which
now, under the superintendent of Maj.
Kenan, regulates each Cuban port. The
convention is now engaged in the con-
sideration of the Plat resolution, and it
is probable that the demands it makes
will be allowed"
His visit was Mr.. Myers first since Oc-
tober, 1898. He found the city greatly i'm
proved in many respects, but there is
an uncertainty that has served to pre-
vent material progress in building or
other development. AS an exception to
this, however may be mentioned an cleo
trio railway, the first in the island The
first cars upon the line were run while
Mr. Myers and DR.. Drummer were in Ha-
vana. But there are very few buildings
going up There is not a modern build
ing in the city. but Mr.. Myers was told
by Mr.. Wood the architect, who built
two or three of the Plant System hotels,
that he has plans for two modern office
the matter of government has been def
nitely settled and capitalists are able to
Judge as to just where they will stand.
A modern hotel is among the greatest
needs of the city.
In cleanliness, however Havan has
greatly improved. When Mr.. Myers was
last there the city was under Spanish
| rule. The streets were dirty and the
| houses, as a rule, were decidedly in need
| of paint. The streets have now been
| cleaned and the houses wear fresh coats
of paint.
Agriculture is undergoing a revival. The
| rich lands of the island will soon be under
| cultivation. Mr.. Myers found that men
| from the East are buying up plantations,
handsome prices being paid. AS an illus
tration, he quoted an instance of a gentle
| man, representing Boston company, who
| had purchased 1900 acres of sugar and
| tobacco lands about twenty miles from
| Havana. The price was ST an acre, but
the purchaser considered that he had Sc
! cured a bargain.
Interest displayed in education impress
ed Mr.. Myers. He paid visit to school
for instruction in the English language
| that is conducted by Mr., Mrs. and Miss
| Zealand, Rev. G.. N. MacDonell, Jr pastor
| of the English Methodist Church, having
been Mr.. Myers companion upon the oc-
casion of the visit. Many Savannahans
| VIII recall MIR MacDonell, who was reared
in this city. A spelling bee In English was
held for the benefit of the visitors and
II was clear that the little Cubans were
making progress. They were very neat
and clean in their attire, and Mr.. Myers
was informed that the parents of the chill
dren take pride in sending them to school
| immaculate.
Quite a Savannah colony has been es-
tablished In Havana, and all of this city's
former citizens who are now engaged in
| business In the Cuban metropolis are do
ing we'll Mr.. Myers met Mr.. Jake Strauss
Mr.. Friedlein, formerly with the Quicken
heimers, and Mr.. Burns. formerly with
the Ocean Steamship Company.
GROCERY STORE BURNED.