Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-03

twenty-four members, or four from each
of the six provinces. The term will be
eight years. 1t is reflection the sin
certify of some of the ambitious men who
want to be members of this first Cuban
house of lords to state that some OF
them believe their first term will cover the
period of independent government, and
that 1t will come within their official du-
ties to propose terms and conditions of an
neXation to the United States. Several of
the younger men are regretful because the
age limit bars them out To be Cuban
senator 1t is necessary to be thirty-fve
years old 1t Is also necessary to be ma
tive-born inha bitant of the Island Of Cuba.
That excludes quite a number of prominent
reVolutionists, but it leaves the way open
for some of the old autonomist leaders,
whose talents would be useful in the upper
Cuban legislative body.
The membership of the camara or house
Is on a broader basis Cuban nativity not
being necessary and the age limit being
twenty-five years. The term Of service Is
four years, and it is also true that some
of the men who expect to serve in this
Cuban house of representatives believe
that their public career will not be closed
until they have had the opportunity to
share in the negotiations for admitting the
state Of Cuba into the American Union.
This may not happen during their public
career or within their lifetime, yet 1T Is
necessary to note that many Of them think
1t will come to pass.
Foreign Ministers and ConsuIs,
When 1t comes to foreign ministers and
consuls Cuba has a fair amount Of sur
plus talent which probably would be suffi-
cient to FIJI those positions. A large pro-
portion of the professional men We're edu-
Gated abroad and are quite adept In dis
cussing international affairs, and their
ability to negotiate treaties and similar in
struments would be vindcate>,. I believe q
good many Of them are looking forward to
DOS1tiOnS pf
Congress We're adopted, earnest inquiry was
made by Cubans who were not radicals
whether the third article, or any article, of
the Plat amendment interfered with Cuba
having diplomatic and consular representa-
tives. If it did they were with the radi-
calls
The assurance was given that the reso-
lutiOns OF Congress had no such purpose
and that Cuba would be free to appoint
her own ministers and consuls. This re-
lieved some anxiety, though there is yet a
fear that the European governments might
not be willing to recognize the republic Of
Cuba. The only answer to this which
could be made was that the acceptance of
the Plat amendment and the formation of
Cuban government under it's terms meant
that minister from Cuba to the United
States would be recognized in Washington
and minister from the United States be
accredited to Cuba. 1t was certain that no
other country would recognize Cuba until
the United States had done 80, and recog-
milton by the United States was the surest
way of securing recognition from European
governments. who would be apt to follow
it's example, though In their own time. AS
the making provision for diplomatic and
consular representatives must be by the
law Of the Cuban congress, that subject
does not come within the immediate pur-
View and Is not one that for the present
will have much interest for the active Gu
ban politicians.
Choice of Civil Governors.
A matter Of decided moment is the choice
OF civil governors Of the six provinces and
the election also Of the provincial coun-
ellis. The latter is not to be legisla-
tive body In the ordinary sense, for it con-
sists Of a single chamber and it's powers
are very restricted. At this time each
province has a civil governor appointed by
the military authority, as was done under
the Spanish rule. An effort was made to
have these provincial governors continue
appointive instead OF elective; but this was
contrary to the popular sentiment, and the
plan was given up. A choice Of governors
in this manner brings the provinces into
comparison with the states Of the American
Union; but tie comparison would be a
faulty one. Under the Cuban constitution
they have few Of the functions or the at
tributes Of an American state, though
there II enough OF state sovereignty to Be-
. drawback to the centralized authority OF
the island commonwealth.
In practical working the schemes Of pro-
vlncial governments are going to be bur
Den. Yet It was impossible to wipe out the