Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-11
4 wnRk TO BE PROUD OF

In his Charleston address President
Roosevelt said that "as a nation we
have an especial right to take an honest
pride in what we have done for Cuba
It would be difficult to find a parallel in
the conduct Of my other great state
that has occupied such a position as
ours"
When the United States makes an ac-
counting for its three years and FIVE
months of stewardship of Cuba, the
showing will be most creditable to this
country and ought to command the
gratitude Of the Cubans. From a con-
dition of chaos In January, 1899, when
American military officers succeeded the
Spaniards in Cuba, the organizing and
administrative qualities of American
officials have worked almost a miracle.
A system of government was estab-
lished throughout the devastated island,
order and peace were restored, courts
organized and n judicial system put into
operation, the civil and criminal laws
modified, an effective system of SAM
tation established, postal and customs
services organized, schools were opened,
hospitals and asylums built and the
complete machinery necessary in a well
regulated government was put into sue
cessful operation.
When American occupation of Cuba
began the task that was presented
seemed almost hopeless of accomplish
ment. 1t was freely predicted that not
less than ten years would be required
in which to do the work necessary to
place the island in proper condition to
be turned over to the government of it's
peer consumed in accomplishing the
task and a few weeks hence Cuba will
pass into the control of its people with
conditions better than ever before in
it's history. Not the least important of
the things done has been the stamping
out of that dread disease, yellow fever,
which for centuries had been a draw
back to the islands advancement. The
system of sanitation established the
Cuban government will be pledged to
CODlllut, III Nv ANlOS I'm VI u "
people and ourselves. 1t is stated that
nearly $4,000 600 have beer expended
in the work of sanitation. Many public
improvements have been made and the
educational work accomplished has been
great. According to a recent statement
there are now over 5000 teachers en-
ployed In the island, with an average
enrolment of pupils of 10000 and an
average attendance of 100000. Hun
dreds of barracks and asylums have
been converted into school houses and
as fast as time would permit new
school buildings have been erected, the
expenditure for this purpose last year
amounting to 100000. In the meantime
the Cubans have been receiving sound
practical instruction in the principles of
government, which should enable them
to wisely manage their affairs when
they are given control of them.
Certainly the United States has the
strongest possible claim to Cuban graft
tude and friendship, yet it is not un-
common to see statements from the
island to the effect that there is much
popular dislike and distrust of Ameri-
cans. Notwithstanding all that has been
done for Cuba we are told that there
is a moral obligation, an obligation of
honor, to do still more. Having given
them freedom, we are now asked to as
sure them prosperity. How far shall
we have to go in order to fulfill this OBJ
legation? VIII the proposed tariff con-
cession be sufficient? No n can tell
with certainty, but If this is granted
it is not probable that it will end the
Cuban appeal for assistance.