The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-30

afford to allow another Santiago or an.
other Havana Of the old sort TO arise
as perpetual menace to our southern
shores. We have practically stamped
out yellow fever in those cities and
turned them from pestilence breeding
spots into cleanly abiding places Mt for
human occupancy. and that IS more
than could be said OF them three years
ago. But you Cubans. like the Spaniard
and the tramp, hold a grudge against
any person or government that forces
you TO cleanse his habitation and take
q path. you like the good old fashioned
spanish way of having the kitchen and
cesspool contiguous, you miss the pun
gent aroma that erstwhiie was waited
up to the Prado from Gale Obispo and
y Reilly street, you disregard the fact
that the harbor of Havana is an un-
fathomed sink Of unspeakable filth and
that beneath the streets of your capital
are sewers that have not been opened
or had an outlet for centuries. But the
american, in your view, has further de-
signs upon Havana and it's harbor, and
he has. He intends to further cleanse
its streets and parks. already purified
by baths Of germ destroyers, and 20
open an outlet for the cul de sac known
as the bay of Havana, by which the in
coming and outgoing sea shall even
tually rid 1t of its accumulated impu-
rites"
The foregoing are some OF the fea-
lures of the situation as viewed from
different standpoints in Cuba at this
inchoate stage of government making
There is great unrest here, vast dissat-
fsfaction at what the Cubans call our
interference in their affairs. but those
who view the play of politics at close
range say that the recently promulgat-
ed order from Washington abolishing
the export duty on tobacco. which win
affect the revenues to the extent OF
perhaps $1,000. 900. was a great conces-
sion to Cuban preJudices. Concessions
are what the Cubans want, what the
Cuban politicians banker after with a
great and mighty yearning-not alone
to their prejudices but to their indi-
vidual and collective ACKNOWLEDGMENT
They have already formulated their
desires in a saying, Para que estan
aqui," or. in the language OF the great
American statesman, F'lanaghan OF
Texas, What are we here for2'
The future prosperity of Cuba IS not
a political problem, but a commercial
one, say the merchants, the large plant
ers, the landowners and solid citizens
generally. And even the common peo-
pie, aside from those with political as
pirations, are inclined that way, If
may believe the sentiments let drop
now and then in conversation.
A popular ditty Of the Annexationists.
who are fond of doing everything in
their power to annoy the Radicals. is;
In my heart is Cuba free;
In my head twill never be.
And so 1t goes, the representatives OF
the three parties pulling and hauling at
each other at every possible opportuni-
ty. The Annexatonists want no ecu
ba libre" and call those who do want It
shortsighted hotheads. The Moderates
would like to see Cuba free, but incline
to the opinion that it would be we'll IL
some provision could be made whereby
the United States would stand between
their country and harm in case Of COM
rlications with foreign powers. and
they are willing to make concessions
to bring about that result. The Rad
icals call the Annexationists traitors.
speak OF the Aoderates as time servers.
declare the Americans must get out at
once, nilly willy. and assert that they
are competent to run their own coun-
try.
Numerically, the Radicals are stron-
ger than Moderates and Annexationists
combined but what the end Will be no
one familiar with Latin politics would
have the temerity to attempt to pre-
dict. GEORGE K. WIELEMAN-