Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-03

| large majority, he said, Of the Cuban peo-
pie already were anneXationists, told me
within a fortnight that he had changed his
mind. Il think" he stated, that they are
going to go along with their independent
government much longer than any OF us
thought. They are easier suited than we
would be. The Cuban is not 50 likely to
raise row against his own government as
an American would be-"
With the republic so near. II may be as
We'll to wait and see what will come with
out at this time travelling too far into the
realms of guesswork.
when we are gone I look for an out
break of and-American animosity," one
army officer told me. There will be CEN
sure, complaint, insinuation. When we turn
our backs the Cubans will spit at us.
They'll be like cats in wanting to scratch
u.s." Washington official some time ago
expressed substantially the same opinion
to me, though not in these words. He was
reasoning from abstract grounds, and
thought it natural that many Of those who
during the American military occupation,
from cowardice, personal interest or pru-
dence, had refrained from criticism, should
take advantage of the opportunity to vent
all that they had suppressed.
Theoretically this may be true a prin-
ciple of human nature. In a concrete form
some OF 1t may develop In Havana; yet
taking the island generally there Will be
far less of this ill-natured criticism than
is thought. In any circumstances, some
spleen will be vented but / have noticed so
many localities in which the American oc-
cupation was leaving only kindly memo
ries and the departure of American off,
Gals was causing regret. that Il is not easy
to believe that the spirit of carping will be
general.
Faui-finding under the American author
ity has not been restrained during the oc-
cupation. 1t has about exhausted itself
and when the full responsibility of admin
istrat ton and all the offices are in Cuban
hands the criticism, If not retrospective, is
likely to be directed against what is rather
han apain wi 1f hn hnar iTacrc hat
should not have been under American rule
may be resurrected. Some Of the eXtrav-
agances committed under the policy of lib
erality in the earlier stages Of the military
authority may be cited when Americans
undertake to lecture the Cubans, but in
general there viii not be enough Of this TO
arouse special interest.
Signs of the Future.
AS signs of the future more is to be
learned from the preparations for Presi-
dent Palma's visit in the localities which
he has not yet reached and from his pro-
gress toward the central part Of the island,
than from abstract guessing. These fiestas,
as they call them, simple. Some of the
municipalities appealed to Gen. Wood for
funds with which to entertain properly the
president-elect. Gen. Wood thought that
with a low treasury Mr.. Palma would not
approve this use of the islands money, and
refused the application. The municipalities
nave 10 TdlSe iielT bNtl IuIuS. lHtTe
have also been popular subscriptions usual
ly of dollar, silver, from each contributor.
In this way the real feelings have been
tested. The demonstrations in some of
their aspects are almost childish in their
spontaneity. They are an enormous infiu-
ence in giving President Palma popular
strength for the tasks ahead of him. Their
best result will be in enabling him to for
tify his administration against the attacks
of the radicals and the malcontents.
These demonstrations also have an educa,,
tonal value. In one town the local news
paper proposes to mark the reception of the
president by giving each of its readers a
copy of the Cuban constitution. 1t does
not set truth at defiance to say that few
of them have head this document
The joining of the Spanish colonies in
these receptions and demonstrations is
more hearty than L thought possible IL is
far stronger than would be judged from
the feeling and the attitude of the Spanish
classes in Havana. though within the last
ten days they also have begun to change.
In a few of the towns which have visited
the Spanish casino Is stlll the refuge ior
Spaniards who cannot forgive Cuban in
dependence, and VINO look sulklly ana
sneeringly on the coming of the republic.
But this is not the action in the majority OF
cases.
Everywhere some prominent Spaniards
are found to take part in the receptions.
Policy has something TO do with this, yet
at the same time there is a growth OF real
sentiment of friendliness. and of desire
to get along under the Cuban nag. Here In
Cardenas the Spanish casino was placed
at the disposal of the Cubans for the festiv-
ities of the republic The editor of the Span
ish newspaper is one of the committee, and
other Spaniards are taking part. This has
happened and will happen elsewhere. Not
ing it, an influential Spanish resident of
Havana told me that he now was satisfied;
he and many of his kind had made a mis-
take when they registered themselves as
Spanish subjects. He believed they would
have done better to take their chances as
Cuban citizens. Enough of them did take
these chances to exercise legitimate in
fuence on the new government
CHARLES NJ. PEPPER