Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-17
INTERNATIONAL LIFE
Cuban Flag is Raised on
MORO Castle.
MANY GOOD SIGN S
FRIENDLY FEELING FOR THE
UNITED STATES.
Sentimental and Practical Sides OF the
Situation-Palma's Inaugural Ad-
dress to Outline Policy.

HAVANA May 49, 1902.
This week Cuba draws her first breath OF
International life. 1t began when General
Wood caused the Cuban flag to be raised
on MORO Castle Sunday President
Palma swept into the harbor. The draughts
are deep and satisfying. They show how
the idea of an independent national life is
rooted among these people.
There are signs which are immensely
pleasing to the population. Some thought
also of omens: but these are croakers, and
it is not a good time for croalsing. Later
the omens may be read. Now the signs are
all good China directs it's consulate to eX-
press to President Palma the sympathy and
good wishes for the future happiness
(which the oldest nation entertains toward
the newest nation
The I.atfn-American countries show IL
vaIry as to which shall be foremost in the
greetings Spain is eXhorted by some OF
her subjects also to be the hrSt to greet tie
new republic. even TO be ahead OF the
United States. That cannot be. for 1t is the
United States which molds and forms the
Cuban government and makes possible the
realization of international life.
All goes forward smoothly. AS the day
for the change comes the representatives or
foreign countries. with many delicate ques-
tions to determine, appreciate how fully the
preparations have been made by the Amer
lean authority. Secretary Root during his
last visit settled the details SO that lhere
can be no hiatus
End of American Control.
Twelve o'clock noon, May 20, Havana
time, will mark the end of American con-
troll throughout the island. There will be
no interval of other authority and no
vacuum. The courts Will go on as Cuban
courts. The ordinary business of govern
nent will 20 on Just as usual. The foreign
representatives will find the government 10
recognize without delay because the hltea
States will recognize that government, anu
This settles all the moOted questions.
on the part OF the Cubans II Is period
of reflection and moralizing. If all the me
sentiments which are finding utteranGe tnls
week can be given expression IN aeeos' Ele
future has no cloud. Palms and laureis
Palms and Iaurels for the republic, hrfn
serene lasting and integral, and support
noble and disinterested, for the chief mag
istrate in his lofty mission
There are comparisons and condolences
likewise President Palma entered havana
on the anniversary OF the death OF Agra
monte. the Cuban patriot soldier OF the ten
years war. l think, also, it is the ami
versary of Mr.. Palma's deportation as a
prisoner-preside by the Spanlards in that
war They call 1t his saints day, though
most of the leaders of the republic DO not
keep the saints calendar very deTouty.
Another historical coincidence is that OF
Nav ~ the day of the proclamation of the
republic the day of the first full breath or
international life. is the anniversary OF the
the light. From grief rejoicing. l quote
at random. The practical American MIND
may see little in these anniversaries ana
condolences, but among an emotional peo-
pie they have a significance OF which we
are now seeing the evidences
Friendship With the United States.
Yet there are also moralizings of sub
stantial nature. "Fraternal union with the
Spaniards" says one writer, but also
fraternaI friendship with the people and
the government of the United States He
does not allege racial affinity to proclaim
concord between Cubans and Spaniards. be
cause that will exclude those of African
blood, who form One-third of the popula-
ton. \ better reason, he says, is neces-
sity. And the same necessity exists for
fraternity with the United States. In other
words, industrial and commercial causes
may be superior to sentimental ties of race.
The international life has many phases
that this one might have been overlooked,
Yet ii is receiving large attention. Recent
events in Haiti and Santo Domingo have
focused the attention little. They are
discussed with unusual frankness Vene-
zueia and Colombia too, are cited, and
there is mOraliZing on Latin-American
union as the brilliant phantasy of sonor-
Gus verses and prose after the order of
Don Quixote."
Against those phantasies are set out the
league of Latin countries with Teutonic or
even Saxon nations. as if Italy in the
triple alliance and of France with Russia,
the Slav. Portugal. Latin also is cited IS
an English footstool. and as TO Cuba, Latin
and African as il is, to whom did it turn
Tor support and sympathy during its wars
of independence? North America That is
TO say. enemies of the African and the
IatinS.
found these opinions set forth In re-
markable article in the newspaper FL
Mundo. which describes itself as anti
fiat. and aspires to represent the radi-
cal Cuban sentiment. The moral was that
In International life economic necessities
are the governing factor, and the applica-
non OF the moral Is that about the first
business of the Cuban republic will be TO
negotiate reciprocity treaty with the
United States
Possibly the fear that the spaniards may
take too much interest in politics if the
sentimental grounds of race are urged too
strongly has something to do with this ar
ucle; yet though this may be a fact its
significance at this time cannot be doubted
AS an individual observer / should be in
clined TO lay more stress the manifesto
ton of racial affinity, for Cuba is stii
overwhelmingly Latin.
But it is not in one quarter alone that
these warnings against too much Iatinism
are heard. They come from all sources
and must be given weight when they are
uttered In this period of festivities for the
republic. When the Latin idealist fetches
up against the hard facts of international
HE and recognizes the force of economic
conditions. il is worth stopping TO note
even though the festivities of a new Latin
republic be in their first flush.
Heartiness of Feeling.
As To the heartiness of the feeling toward
the Unit ed States and the depth of the SEN
timent OF gratitude. no analysis is now
necessary. The speeches are all effiores-
cent in their expressions Of goodwill. The
American flag is greeted as that of a sa-
Slor nation.
II 'here are undercurrents of suppressed
ill-feeling and resentment. as some of the
American officials believe. in a short time
We shall know. They are said to exist
among the lower classes.
l went one evening to a variety theater
Where this resentment was said to find
voice. The play itself was a stupid one
Its main idea was that Cubans were COM
Ing into their own. They had a court wit
Father Time as the judge. and when Uncle
sam was Drought up for Judgment the YER
dict was deferred until the books could he
examined Nobody has objections 10 that
Uncle Sam has taken pretty good care of
the Cuban cash, and though he has spent
IL literally. most of his extravasances were
curbed a couple of years ago. and he will