New-York tribune., 1902-05-17
NEW LAWS FOR CUBANS.
GENERAL WOODS IMPORTANT ACTIONS
-PALMA'S NEW CABINET.

Havana. May 16.-To-day the Governor Cen
eral issued an important order making all ORDERS
operative only during the military occupation
of the island and concerning the subsequent ef-
fectiveness of which question had arisen. bind
ing upon the new Cuban Government until they
should be revoked. This action placed these
orders upon the footing as the general
orders the Cuban Government accepted by the
adoption of the Platt amendment
More important still. an order has issued
placing in force all the immigration. exclusion
and contract labor laws of the United States
These laws have been practically in force. Gen
eral Wood says, since the American occupation
began. BY this order these laws are not only
incorporated in the laws of the island, imposing
responsibility for their observation upon the
new government, but opportunity is left for the
negotiation of reciprocity treaty.
General Wood is satisfied with the situation
Speaking to-day Of what had been accomplished
in four years he said:
At the beginning of the American occupation
Cuba was without provincial or municipaI GOV
ernments, a general condition of chaos existed
in all departments of the civil government no
schools were in operation outside few of the
larger towns. the country full of beggars,
the towns were unhealthful and unsanitary,
lawlessness and disorder prevailed in the rural
districts, and swarms Of hungry. destitute peO-
pie were everywhere. The municipal and State
buildings. a rule, were in an abandoned con-
dition and public works had received no at
tention for years: the revenue service with
out adequate equipment. there We're proper
hospitals charities. and the reasuries of the
municipalities, provinces and State were empty.
President-eIect Palma is laboring night and
day TO conciliate the warring factions, and is
fairly standing a siege of office seekers at the
residence of General Maximo Gomez, which he
and his family occupying prior to his in
auguration. He sees everybody who calls
listens to everything they have to say. and
Invariably advises harmony for the sake of the
country. Sehor Palma is winning the admira
ton Of all classes. He has displayed much
courage in the selection of his Cabinet which
was announced this evening The names fol-
low:
Diego Tamayo Nationalist Secretary of
Government Ca new portfolio) Senor Tamayo
will have charge of the Rural Guard. SANTA
ton. the administration of the postoffices and
signal service. He was formerly an Auton-
omst but later Joined the rebellion; was head
of the Revolutionary Board. and has been Sec
retary of State since the American oCcupa ton
Carlos Zaldo Republican AutonomisD De-
partment of State and Justice. Sehor ZaIdo is
a we'll known business man. He was at one
time a supporter of Juan Gualberto Gomez
Emilio Terry independently Department of
Agriculture SehOr Terry is wealthy sugar
planter of high character.
Manuel Luciano Diaz (NationalisD Depart-
ment of Public Works. Senior Diaz who had
charge Of the works at Matanzas during the
American occupation. is a civil engineer
Edna rdo Yero. Nationalist, Department of IN
strrction Sefor Yero was Superintendent of
Schools at the uHie VI the american occupation
| of the island.
Finance.