The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1901-09-05
washington Letter.
washington, September 2, 1901.

controversy has been provided here. Two
subjects of the first Importance have been
revived through reports. that cannot fail
ernor General Woods comprehensive re-
view of progress in Cuba the other Cap
tain Charles D. Sigsbee's annual notes on
the advancement of the worlds navies,
the increase of their tonnage, etc.
There is no topic more interesting to
Americans at the present than that OF
Cuban development. The cost In blood
and treasure for the emancipation of the
infant nation so near to our shores, along
with the hope of the United States that
the islanders willprove themselves worthy
of the sacrifice, has caused the people to
follow the trend Of Cuban affairs almost
as closely as they do the progress of an
American state.
General Woods report is voluminous,
but the questions presented demand thor
ough, treatment. 1t is convincing and
earnest. 1t is an intelligent summary Of
the efforts made for the publication and
and betterment Of the population. In
brief, General Woods document recon-
fnefds fuller reciprocity with the United
States, without which, he says, the thor
ough development of the island will be
impossible. He explains that the Ameri-
can authorities, with native assistance,
have abolished many petty offices. These
increased the tax burden unnecessarily
and initiated against a proper centraliza-
tion of power and responsibility. The OBJ
jections to curtailment In this direction
met with protests, inspired more by per-
sonal losses than regard for the common
veal
A gratifying feature of the situation Is
that fewer police are required In the
towns. The progress Of the islands ag-
riculture, the root of its prosperity, Is
marked. The first large sugar crop since
the war will be harvested next spring, and
the products already sold, or nearly ready
for the market, seem to furnish guaran-
tee that Cuban municipalities will soon
be able to assume obligations connected
with new public works. Under American
protection and encouragement, prison
| abuses have been largely eliminated.
The hospital system has becotae practi-
cal. Rules and regulations to govern
municipal elections have been drawn up,
principally for the purpose of preventing
| the control of government machinery by
extremists, who In the past have proved
incapable of dealing with the predica-
ments of their own creation.
One of the conspicuous reforms has
been the Inauguration of a modern system
of law and jurisprudence. The Cubans,
fthrough bitter experience, learned that,
under the Spanish regime, there was one
| code for the rich and another for the
poor. The Americans have endeavored
to establish equality Of justice. Natives
of all classes are beginning to realize that
ancient and iniquitous practices have
passed out, that Americans are the cham
pions of fair play, and that under their
plan of civilization no man is too humble
to be accorded justice when he asks for a
hearing. Although the new order Of
things is radical, the reform Is not com.
plete. 1t Is hoped, however, that time
will bring 1t nearer to perfection.
In other respects General Wood has re-
viewed the Cuban situation in a manner
that cannot fail to interest and enlighter
all his countrymen who follow develop
ments outside their immediate bounda
ries.
The conspicuous position of the Ameri
can navy and its officers renders the infor
nation compiled and presented by Cap
tain Sigsbee more than ordinarily inter
esting. 1t will enlighten the layman anG
stimulate the expert for speculation as te
the probable outcome of the rivalry fol
the mastery of the seas. The chief intel
ligence officer Of our navy summarizes the
work of leading governments in the crea
tion of fighting vessels. 1t Is shown that
of the foreign powers, Great Britain has
made the largest additions to her wal
fleet during the year. Russia, Germany
and France have not Jagged far in tn,
rear. Japan, too, has made progress
characterized by Lieut.. Phelps as "enor
NOUS" The Yankees of the Orient havt
plans for the near future that promise tx
place the navy of the Mikado near thu
top-notch of efficiency and on an equalit.
with several of his leading rivals. Ii
view of the reported encroachments o
Russia In the far east, the conspicuous
naval activity of Japan cannot escap
comment.
While 1t is not possible In limited spac
to review the statistics furnished by Cap
tain Sigsbee, it may be noted that tn
nations are lavish In their expenditure
to strengthen their sea-fighting arms
AS usual, this feverish preparation 70
war seems only an additional guarantee
Of peace between world-powers.
Rear Admiral Howison, who was ap
pointed as a member of the board of In
not Rear Admiral Schley war remiss Il
the performance of his duty off Santiag
during the operations resulting In the de
feat of CerverB, has denied the allegation
that he criticised Schley in an intervie,
J given to a Boston newspaper writer
Rear Admiral Howison expresses his vii
lingness to either Withdraw from the tri
bunal or aid In clearing up the controver
sial cloud that has involved the America
navy. The publication Of the Howiso
A correspondence by the acting secretary Q
the navy will, it is thought, produce
. lull In the discussion Of the relative mer
It's of rear admirals and others.
II After a lethargic summer at the Whit
House, the attaches are beginning to pre-
pare for the return of President and Mrs
Mckinley. It Is said that numerous mai
ters OF Importance are demanding tn
! presence of Mr.. Mckinley In Washington