The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-02
CUBA AS seen BY PROCTOR
The Senator Gives the Result of
His Observations.
Great Progress in Hnvnna-Thc ISL
nndcrs Becoming More Friendly 10
the United states--A Desire for In
dependence for Time mt Lcnst.


the United stntes-A Desire for In
dependence for Time mt Lcnst.
Senator Proctor returned to Washing
ton yesterday from a weeks trip IN
Cuba His visit to Cuba was an oS-
tension of a fishing excursion 10
Florida. The Senator was in cuba
three years ago. He said:
When was in Cuba three years ago
had no opportunity of really studying
the Cubans. and hence l am unable to
make the comparison OF the conditions
at that time and those existing now, as
/ would like to. / must say. however,
that l found the outward appearance
of Havana decidedly improved. 1t is IA
clean city, and has mortality per-
centage which would do credit to any
city in the United States. l was told
that during the week Of my visit there
had not been single case of yellow
fever in the city. That, of course, is n
remarkable record for Havana. Gen
eral Woods work has been well done,
and his appointees are, as rule. men
well suited 10 their position.
Speaking of the political situation,
the Senator said:
1T is a difficult task to prophesy
what may be the outcome of conditions
in Cuba today, and 1 should not care
TO express an opinion. My visit, as you
know. was not official in any regard.
From what | saw l can say that 10 my
mind the Convention and the people of
Cuba are becoming more and more
favorable in their attitude toward the
United States as they become better
acquainted with the intentions OF our
country and the meaning of the legis-
lation in regard to their island which
has been passed. They are appreciat-
ing more and more that the Plat
amendment, as drawn, is likely to be
beneficial in effect both 10 Cuba and to
the United States, and to result in
closer and more beneficial relations
between the two.
They are becoming satisfied, as they
study the amendment. that it will work
good for them, and they fell more con-
tent as they realize that Congress is
not likely to take action further or
stronger in its effect than it has already
taken in the Plat amendment II they
have any objections at all they are to
The wording of the clause permitting
Intervention by the United States. At
first they felt that this might give an
opportunity for an unfriendly Admins
tration To intervene, perhaps on some
trivial pretext, to the detriment of
Cuban interests. They are beginning to
realize now that that objection is not a
sound one.
I think that they are willing that the
United States should have coaling
stations and see that that would be
beneficial to themselves as well as to
the United States. They ought, and 1
think they will. accept the Plat amend
ment. substantially, if not in its exact
wording. The trend Of public opinion
in the Convention. and especially out
of it. IS toward this step. The men of
property. as I was able to judge from
my talks with them. are friendly. and
there is no disposition on the part of
any of the people to court trouble with
the United States.
"As far as independence goes I think
that the majority OF the Cubans desire
il for time. AS to their ability to
govern themselves when the military
power Of the United States is removed
should not care to prophesy. That is
a matter which should prefer to let
time settle. 1 do hope that they will
prove capable of self-governmeut. but
We must remember that they are
people who have been under military
domination for nearly four hundred
years. and that government is a
great step. The history of our own
VIII prove that we were not able to
start our Government smoothly at
first
Speaking of the commercial ccndi-
tions. the Senator said:
The hopeful thing is that the Cubans
are going back to work and that one
sees them building up their cabins
everywhere. Business men Of the
United States are beginning to realize
the value of Cuba as a field for com
mercial enterprise. All Industries are
starting up again and Havana is be-
coming busy city. ! am told that
American capital is now going in
TO the island in large amounts. that
especially during the last three months
there has been a large increase of
money from capitalists In the United
states. American firms are buying
sites in the city for the erection of bust
ness buildings and blocks, and the
capitalists of this country are taking
their place alongside the capitalists of
other countries. The revival of busi-
ness Is, of course, hopeful sign"