Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1902-01-21
Letter From Havana, Cuba.
Havana. Cuba. January 10. 1909.


Havana. Cuba, January 10. 1909.
Editor Spirit Of Jefferson
AS Cuba is nearing crisis in her his
| tory. an outline Of her present political
status may be of interest to your readers.
Who shall be her FIRST president has al
ready been determined by the ballot, al
though his opponents claim that it does
not express the will of the majority of the
people, which claim, however. is not sus-
tanned by their action in Withdrawing
their candidates from the contest shortly
before the election, The withdrawal is
| believed to have been an acknowledge
ment of defeat. which the Cuban is. by
nature. too proud to endure. Experience
in municipal elections had demonstrated
the difficulty OF inducing the average
citizen to take advantage of the right of
franchise, and it is calculated that but a
small percentage Of the voting population
participated in the recent election. The
new order of things is so entirely differ
ent from the old Spanish policy Of domi-
nation and expression that they seem in
capable of realizing that they are part
of the Insular government and have a
voice in its administration. To them an
election means more the avoidance of
membership in the losing party than it
does the triumph of meritorious princi-
pies. This tendency has raised doubt
in the minds Of many Of our countrymen
as to the capability of the people to gov
ern themselves and caused grave appre-
hension as to the result Of placing the
reins of government entirely in their
hands.
| While the conservative and property
owning classes are congratulating them
selves upon the selection of General
Tomas Estrada Palma for president. ra-
Their than representative of the radical
element, whereby shey feared the jeo-
pardizing Of their Interests in the Island,
they chafe somewhat under the general
impression that his residence of twenty
four years in the United States. during
which time he has not visited his native
land, but. in diplomatic way, has labor
ed necessarily for its freedom from the
tyranny of Spain. has served to Amer
icanize him to such an extent as to cause
him to favor closer political relations and
possibly annexation, whereas the MAJOR
|tY of the people seem to be opposed to
such policy and prefer an independent
government. Cuba will undoubtedly be
better off with president who has made
close study of our own institutions and
is free from participation in the petty
jealousies and political wrangles that
have characterized his people since the
removal Of Spanish authority.
The Presidential aud Senatorial Elec-
tors, chosen at the election December
3Ist. are to meet in Havana February
24th The president-elect has expressed
his intention of coming to Cuba from the
United States the latter part of April and
of taking the oath of Office the first OF
May 1t is generally believed by the
Americans and conservative Cuban citi-
zens that Gen. Palma. who is veteran
of the ten-years' war with Spain and a
highly esteemed Cuban patriot. is the best
man that could have been found for the
difficult position Of first president of the
Cuban Republic. 1t IS thought that, with
the hearty support of his compatriots. bis
administration will be creditable one,
Notwithstanding the trouble he is expec
ted to encounter from his opponents ir
the recent election. namely, the radica
element. including the negroes. or thoss
inclined to scof at the good Offices of oul
government He seems fully imbued witt
the importance of his task. realizing TIL
difficulties he will have TO face. and ap
preciates possibly more than any othe
Cuban the obligations of his country I,
the United States, and the necessity 70
fclose relations between the two countries
| Since the election. in outlining his policy
he has lost no opportunity to impress al
with the Importance If close trade rela
tions with the United St,tes. as the chic
market for Cuban products. encourages
by reduction of import duties on suga
and tobacco as necessary for the revival 3
Cuba's greatest industries. He says tina
patriots will be called upon to serve thei
country as uusel6shly as during the reve
luton that between the past and th
present wal viii be raised and no dis
elimination ms de against those who r.
tain allegienvr . spain that white in
Emigration will be fostrred as i means d
solving the race problem. and that presen
sanitary methods will be continued. "A
lfavors American currency as a medium
of exchange. and says that no deman
will be made for the Immediate will
ldrawal OF the American troops from th
Island. being confident of the perfee
good fat Of the United States.
The American smpioyees here. in ant
cipat,on IF The establishment 81 the ne,
government. are making a concerted ei
fort to be admitted to the classified civ
lservice Of the United States. Some Z
them have been with the government /
Cuba for three years. during which d
riod they have not only endangered thei
health and lives. but have acquired va
i liable knowledge of departmental worl