The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1901-09-05
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 5


reports that cannot fail TO attract ma
tional attention. One is Governor
General Woods comprehensive re-
view OF progress in Cuba; the other
Capt. 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 emancipa-
tion of the infant nation so near our
shores, along with the hope OF the
United States that the islanders will
prove themselves worthy of the sac
ritice, 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 volumin-
Gus, but the questions presented de-
mand thorough treatment. 1t is con-
Vincing and earnest. 1t is an intelli-
gent summary of the efforts made for
the publication and betterment of
the population. In brief, General
Woods document recommends fuller
reciprocity with the United States,
without which, he says, the thorough
development of the island will be i'm
possible. He explains that the Amer
lean authorities, with native assist
ance, have abolished many petty Of
fees. These increased the tax burden
unnecessarily and initiated against a
proper Capitalization of power and
responsibility. The objections to
curtailment in this direction met with
protests, inspired more by personal
losses than regard for the common
veal.
gratifying feature of the situation
is that fewer police are required in
the towns. The progress of the is
lands agriculture, the root of its
prosperity, is marked. The first large
sugar crop since the war will be har-
vested next spring, and the products
already sold, or nearly ready for the
market, seem to furnish guarantee
that the Cuban municipalities will
soon be able to assume obligations
connected with new public works.
Under American protection and en-
couragement prison abuses have been
largely eliminated. The hospital sys-
tenn has become practical. Rules and
regulations to govern municipal cleo
tions have been drawn up, principal
ly for the purpose of preventing the
control OF government machinery by
extremists who in the past have
proved incapable of dealing with the
predicaments of their own creation.
One of the conspicuous reforms has
been the inauguration of a modern
system of law and Jurisprudence
The Cubans, through bitter expert
ence, learned that under Spanish re-
gime there was one code for the rich
and another for the poor. The Am
orleans 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 cham
pions OF fairplay and that under their
plan of civilization no man is too
humble to be accorded justice when
he asks for hearing. Although the
new order of things is radical, the re-
form is not complete. 1t is hoped,
however, that time will bring it
nearer to perfection.
In other respects, General Wood
has reviewed the Cuban situation in
manner that cannot fail to interest
and enlighten all his countrymen who
follow developments outside their i'm
mediate boundaries.
The conspicuous position OF the
American Navy and its officers rem
ders the information compiled and
presented by Captain Sigsbee more
than ordinarily interesting 1t will
enlighten the laymen and stimulate
the expert for speculation as to the
probable outcome of the rivalry for
mastery of the seas. The Chief In
telligence Officer of our navy sum-
marizes the work of leading govern
ments III the creation of fighting YES
sells. 1t is shown that of the foreign
powers, Great Britain has made the
largest additions to her war fleet dur
ing the year. Russia, Germany and
France have not Jagged far in the
rear. Japan, too, has made progress
characterized by Lieut.. Phelps as
enormous" The Yankees of the
Orient have plans for the near future
that promise to place the navy of the
Mikado near the top-notch of efficien-
cy and on an equality with several of
his leading rivals. In view of the re-
ported encroachments of Russia in
the Far East the conspicuous naval
activity of Japan cannot escape COM
ment.
While it is not possible in a limited
space to review the statistics furnish