Evening star., 1901-05-17
CHANGES IN CUBA
Different Sentiments Expressed by the
People,
AMERICAN ADMINISTRATION PASSING
Havana Newspapers Reflect the
Present Situation.
TIL NEW CONDITION.


Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
HAVANA, May IL. 1901.
1t is easy to note after a few weeks alb
sence the changes which are going on in
Cuba The situation. says of the
Spanish papers, "is political, economic and
moral" The moral part does not need
analysis at present. 1t is the political and
economic situation which counts.
On the boat coming down from New York
saw the indications of the transition In
ideas and sentiment A bright young
Cuban, who for several years had written
revolutionary articles for the newspapers
from the safe haven of the United States.
had become quite conservative. Formerly
he talked about the free and sovereign
Cuba, and spoke patronizingly of what the
American people had done for the island.
But this trip he boasting Of his
American citizenship and pointing out the
difference between the Cubans and ''us
Americans He spoke sympatheticaliy of
the Cuban character and with real ap-
probation of both its strength and weak
ness, saying that the object lesson of the
last two or three years had been the great
est blessing the island had known. He
had very clear notions of what is ahead
and announced his own conversion to an
nexation: But | am not going to talk
politics. he said. in explaining his posi-
ton Il am going to Havana to engage In
business and not to give the Cubans ad-
vice He had formed good business
connection with American firm and was
little fearful that the Platt amendment
might not be accepted.
A Feminine Change.
A Cuban woman of wealth and social
position, who had made financial sacrifices
to free the island from Spain. was also a
passenger. A year ago she a fierce
partisan of absolute independence and was
the leading spirit in anti-American cir
Gle which exercised considerable influence
and which was constantly charging the
United States with bad faith in not having
Set Cuba adrift Immediately after Spain
was driven out To my surprise she was
now engaged In scolding several of her
Cuban compatriots for what she called
their failure to realize the reality" With
feminine yolubility she berated them for
not seeing the situation just as she saw 1t
at the moment This Cuban woman had
become so far converted that she did not
want even the experiment of an indepen-
dent government. You are willing to see
ouoa go hungry and ragged she told her
c"Inpatriots. because you are afraid to
acknowledge your weakness" They pro-
tested. but they did not convince her even
that they were justified in at least trying
10 maintain an Independent government un-
Ger the wing of the United States THE
people will go hungry" she kept telling
she for it
DO not believe that her statements were
. eAtHeiy Just, for the mai jority of the Cuban
p"Ijlclans now are realizing that it Is one
OF their duties to see that the inhabitants
1l me island do not go hungry. and they
nav" fastened to what is called the eco
npmlc propaganda with an eagerness that
Is credltable to their judgment They are
going ahead in their efforts to form gov
errment OF their own. but on the basis of
commercial reciprocity with the United
States. which means concessions for Cuban
sugar. tobacco and fruits in the American
markets That is the best way and in real
ity the only way of keeping the country
people Of Cuba from going hungry and
ragged.
An idea of the change that has been go
Ing on almost unconsciously in the pub
lie mind is 10 be had from the Havana
newspapers These are fairly representa-
tive OF public sentiment and opinion. The
trained habit of looking to them for sug-
gestions quickly affords the information OF
what the people thinking and saving.
Last winter they Were SAYING Il great deal
In a fauit-fnding way of American admin
istratioH and American officials. The crit
tcism Was not always unjust and as un-
discriminating as the officials thought bu:
there was a great deal that was petty
and much that was absolutely without
foundation. Now there is still criticism
and fauIt-fnding but l noticed that the
'space given up to these topics is far less
than few months ago, hardly more than
fourth.
The American Administration Passing
This is about the most significant sign
OF change 1t means that both Spaniards
lean administration is passing and that in
the future they will be concerned with their
own administration rather than with the
authority of the Intervening power. The
. papers now are full of the discussion of
the work of the constitutional convention,
OF the municipal elections. which will be
held in June and of the steps to be taken
In preparing for the government of Cuba
By Cubans. The harassed American officials
now are able occasionally to pick Up a
newspaper without their eyes lighting on a
paragraph abusing criticiSing them. In
. stead they find criticism and recrimination
among the various Cuban factions and
leaders.
The Havana journals without knowing it
themselves are likely to furnish an excel
lent criterion of this transition period for
they are rejecting every phase of the un-
certainty which Is felt as the reality an
proaches, and also the motives which may
become the controlling ones. To read these
newspapers is pleasant way of keeping
abreast with current history. Their gem
y eraI characteristics are the Q. but they
vary in detail The convenience arises
from the fact that at this season of trop-
icaI heat. when either physical or intelIec-
tusl exertion is trying, it is possible to
glide along through the day with a news
paper at ones elbow. yet without any OF
the evidences of excitement. With the
early morning coffee at comes the old
established daily journal. of which there
' are two or three. Then at the midday
. meal. which is called breakfast usually
there is another newspaper or perhaps a
belated edition of one which should have
been out in the early morning.
After breakfast comes the practical sus-
tension of business for a couple of hours
during which the siesta is enjoyed and
after the siesta the afternoon papers make
their appearance Then in the evening
after dinner. when cigars and coffee are
reached. appears a "diaro de la noche,' or
evening daily. which may be perused with
leisure and contentment- Some of the more
important journals also issue supplements
OF reduced size, giving the latest telegraph
&c news, but these are sheets hardly larger
than handful. and they do not disturb
the routine of the day. The older papers
all are Of blanket size. but some of the
newer ones are more adventurous and ap-
pToach the tabloid experiment
After coming ashore the other day /
asked Cuban acquaintance jocosely How
"