New-York tribune., 1901-02-10
RECONSTRUCTION OF CUBA,
WILL THE ISLANDS SELF GOVERNMENT
MAKE FOR GOOD OR EVIL?

WreSte6
the island from Spain. Self government is in
sight, but IT is uncertain whether it will be the
advent Of good or evil. The destiny of self-gov-
erning cuba lies in the hands of the insurrec-
tonists They control the Constitutional Conven-
ton. and the conservative element has so little
confidence in their capacity for government that
the future is viewed with alarm. A striking
evidence Of the feeling of the business men was
revealed the other day. when it reported
that Major Ladd. Treasurer of the island. had
been retired and was 70 he succeeded by
Cuban II was said this was the first step on
the part of the United States toward the recog-
milton Of Cuban independence. AS result there
decided slump In all Cuban securities.
and for a time the Havana stock market
panic stricken.
The real sentiment of the people of Cuba Is
more accurately reflected in the country dis
tricts than in the cities Havana is hotbed OF
politicians. who would never admit their inabili-
~ 10 guide Cuba an independent republic
and Santiago is nursing more unrest and dis
content than any other place the island
Business men and property owners are all
anxious for peace. and it is possible. IL a frank
expression OF opinion Of this element could be
secured. there would be found strong feeling for
some general control by the United States in the
nature Of protectorate- But the conservative
element has been extremely shy about taking any
part in the political reconstruction Of the island.
There are not more than five men among the
delegates composing the Constitutional Conven-
tlon now in session who have the slightest
gard for the wishes of the United States re-
specting the future of Cuba. The delegates in
control make no effort TO conceal the fact that
the chief object in fastening the work of the
convention is that they may shift the response
bfIity for any delay that may occur in
getting 10 work under their constitution
from their shoulders TO the Admnistra-
tlon at Washington. Another reason is be-
cause Of information they assert they have
received that General Wood had assured the
people in Washington that Congress would not
need 10 worry about the Cuban problem at this
session They accuse the Military Governor OF
having intimated that the work paid too well
for the delegates TO he in any hurry to get
through with il.
TO BE READY FOR THIS SESSION
The constitution. they say. will he ready in
time TO secure action by the American Congress
at this session. Not that they admit the right
OF Congress to amend the islands constitution.
Far from it, They have always held the opinion.
inst EXPRESSED by Senator Orviue H PIatt. OF
Connecticut chairman Of the Committee on
Relations with Cuba. that Cuba is foreign
her government without interference, Cuban
is a born politician. and he is fond of quoting
to those who do not agree with him this
point the order providing for the election OF
delegates 70 the Constitutional Convention This
proclamation OF General Wood. which was issued
bv direction of the President. ordered
That a general election be held In the island
Of Cuba on the third Saturday Of September. in
the year 1900 to elect delegates to convention
TO meet In the city or Havana. at L O'Clock
noon, on the first Monday of November. in the
year 1900, 70 frame and adopt a constitution for
the people of Cuba
They insist IL is not necessary that the rela-
tions to exist between the United States and
Cuba should be determined at the time.
The Cuban is also careful 70 let YOU know that
he is familiar with the action Of the United
States Supreme Court declaring Cuba 10 be a
foreign country
GRUN1BLING AGAINST THE GOVERNOR
The average American tourist who has not
followed carefully the developments IN the Gu
ban situation learns with considerable astonish-
ment Of this feeling Of dissatisfaction He
comes expecting to find a people beamng with
ratitude toward the United States; but instead
OF that he is told there is feeling of unrest all
over the island. The origiR Of this trouble is
rather difficult trace but u is said good deal
of IL Is due 70 mistakes the part of American
officials in their treatment of the people. Gen
eraI Ludlow and General Brooke freely
criticised and General Wood does not escape /
with much less fault finding. Both Cubans and
spanfards declare he has been fertile in prom
ises. but slow in making his promises good. One
of the leading men of Santiago. who in Ha-
vana yesterday and who reflects the views of
number Of people. expressed himself
as follows:
General Wood made splendid sanitary officer
in Santiago, and administrator in that
province he all that could he desired. But
as a Military Governor having handle prob
lens of higher politics. he has been 10 say the
least unsatisfactory. There have been several
have been much better. had IL been possible TO
have had him advised by civil counsel of expert
enced legislators.
no means simple. and the fact that General
Wood has twice asked 10 be sent to the Philip
pines proves that he has not at all times found
them congeniaL
PROGRESS SINCE THE WAR
Despite this feeling OF unrest in the two years
and half OF peace the island has made consid-
cradle progress toward reconstruction. The
desolation that Weyler and war wrought is still
apparent. and IL must be borne in mind that
Cuba barren waste when peace was de-
clared- Fertile fields which had produced fort
unes for their owners were vacant: farm
houses and sugar mills We're in ruins At the
end of the first year of peace the country dis !