The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-08-22
eunANs HAvr rHn1R wors.
Goine ofths Americans not all Joy to th
Islsndsrs.

change had taken place In the appear
ance of Havana Ia less than two weeks
1t is easy now to realize that Amcri-
cans are in a foreign land. The faml-
lar fgure Of the United States solcier
has disappeared. The few a.tnery -I.l
VINO remain seem 10 keep NtaM D..-
acks at Santa Clara ana Cnpan2. I-T
lney are not seen on the streets.
In the treasury building. where fos
mere than three years the biue-coatcl
boys have kept watch ana ward night
and day. is seen the understood. sleepy
detail from the rural quart For three
years and more the American holdier
stood at his post guarding the funds OF
Cuba, gun in hands, alert, aggressive
He stood there many times facing and
meeting death in the form of yellow
fever. On one occasion. in 1900 two on
the guards we're attacked simultan-
eously with the Iever, but standing
guard until relief could come, both dy-
ing within a few hours. The rural
guard fellows sit in the doorways, the
safes behind them, guns stacked in the
corner. Their friends gather about and
they smoke and chat and while away
the hours as only a Latin knows how
to do.
In the postoffice one must possess
bis soul in patience these days The
Americans are not to the front and the
Cuban does not see why a letter is any
more needed at s than at 9 o'clock. and
why folks should make such a fuss
over a few letters ard papers. About
the palace the single policeman on duty
dozes at his post. aAd the few clerks in
the offices seem 10 be taking a rest
Everywhere it is the same The only
awakening is at night. when the usual
procession of natives is seen on the
Prado and maleron. Even these do not
seem as CHEEKY and demonstratiye as OF
yore,
The fact Is. Cuba Is in trouble. -
independence is not all joy
The president has been making a
Wholesale sweep of employees in every
department The Americans. OF course
in great part, expected to go. Most Of
them we're all ready out and leaving
the island on every boat Their fellow
clerks, the Cubans. naturally supposed
that they were safe in their positions
for. while it was understood that
great reduction would be made, the de-
parture of the Americans was consider
ed all that would be needed. Not so,
however Hundreds of Cubans are to-
day without a post
Mr.. Palma has lost no time in turE-
ing these unsuspecting men out into
the streets. Nor are they given a days
warning. nor an hour. Many have left
their desks at night to find in the
morning that they were dismissed.
This has entailed endless suffering
The Latin is an improyident creature
at best. and lives up to his Income,
especially a government clerk Then,
feeling secure in his job, he spent al
ne had in rejoicing over the coming OF
the man who has now left him penni-
less, and. in many cases in debt. The
gloomy. disappointed faces seen at
every turn are pathetic One notes II
especially in the cafes. where a few
weeks ago the Cuban was at his iolli-
est. ordering q bountiful meal, enjoy
ing his wine, smoking his choice cigars,
entertaining his friends. Now the few
comparatively. who still frequent their
old-time resorts, order but frugal
meal. often but milk or coffee and
bread They sit in gloomy silence or
discourse excitedly with fellow suffer-
ers. The minority who still have their
jobs look on and listen apprehensively.
They already see the handwriting On
the wall.
OF course, one employe or official
thrown out of work means distress in
descending scale through many ramif-
cations The bread winner without
funds must discharge his servants. The
laundress and the seamstress likewise
find themselves minus work The pur-
90 a in usHn HnWlfnc In Ill
TO the minimum. These in turn de-
crease their outlay. and hence II goes
on. What are these people going to dol
President Palma says the government
force must be cut TO the utmost limit,
in numbers and in salaries The stores
and shops are already over-supplied
with employees. There are no factoriea
The fields are teeming with laborers
many Of these kept at work only
through the liberality OF the planter,
who himself is living on his reserved
capital or on borrowed money. The
military government has been steadily
decreasing the number and size Of
asylums. hospitals. etc II looks now
as IL the new republic must return TO
former conditions In this line, for soon
the cry for bread will be heard.
The pawnshops. recently almost de-
pleted Of stock by enthusiastic buyers.
are again full OF the most beautiful
things. Ten new pawnshops have
opened up in me section Of the city re-
Gently. Peol are parting with the
little they have managed to save from
the wreck of their fortunes during the
war. Many OF these things we're pawn
ed by thes festive loving Cubans in
order to their share OF the merry
making at the birth OF the republic. be-
reving 1t possible to redeem them in a
few days or weeks Il is safe TO say
that Tut little OF the jewels. the plate.
the objects of art. the antiques. the old
world furniture. viii ever revert 20 the
original owners.
Just a few days ago tried TO cheer a
heart-broken widow. mother of Gn