The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-07-19
THE FAITHFUL ISLE
A STRANGE STATE OF AFFATRs
 OBTAIN IN CUBA
Has an Acute Race Problem-The Business Element want ( Revo- lution to Bring Annexation. : Former Soldiers Want No
 More of Leonard.

Havana Correspondence Memphis Com
 mercial Appeal.
 When the American flag sailed out of the harber, oarrying beneath its folds Captain General Wood of in memory, with 1t sailed good deal of confidence in the stability of affairs While not at- tached to 1t for any sentimental consid- eration, many of the leading business men of the island saw in 1t more security for property and investments than in the Cuban flag then saiuting the skies Tor the first time from the stan Of the captain generals palace. Being Latins themselves they had strong inward moni- ttons of the fickleness of the race on all questions ffom government down and -they feared that should dissatisfaction arise with the present government 1t would be unable alcne to repress what the whole power of Spain had been for years unequal to. Nothing Is more ifl- tangible. yet more forcibly felt than the lack of confidence among business men. ontwardly. everything seems to go well. but the custom house ttatistics soon in- form you that the manifests of ships en- tefing the port are becoming smaller day by day. Importers contract their orders and banks begin to insist on impossible securities or to decline to part with their funds on any terms involving even a moderate, period of time. The condition pervades all the provinces where ad- vances become more and more difficult and where large contracts are deferred and important public works indefinitely delayed. thus preventing the employment of thousands of laborers who gain their livelihood in this way Everything be- comes more stringent, general dissatis- faction prevails and the muttering crowds "a Hal. A..l -l< <r.s ble scapegoa4 than1tle government which unfortunately Is not gifted with the power of doing miracles But though much con- hdence sailed away, much remained, for everyone had been led to believe that there would be mutual tariff concessions that would open up at once an immediate market for the most important Cuban prbducts and establish yntlmate and pre- fesenteal trade relations between the two countriesy That prospect, however. soon became ovsrcl6uded and 1t became evident to the people here that the majority of the people of the United States, from policy CT principle. were determined for the present to let the island take care of itself and work out It's own destinies with fear and trembling. in the meantime pro- tecting their own interests as they have usually done in the past. With this realisation the Spaniards, who are tfe main business men of the island, began to receive most favorably the idea of annexation as the best solution of all problems and the only guarantee of stability. Among that class the senti- ment has gained until It would not be surprising, should affairs continue as they are to see arise strict annexation party in the is3ana in chief opposition to the nationaiists. the party which embraces sR HAa11ty f.f cally dominant.
 Cannot Float Loan.
 This much appears sufficient to give one an idea of the general distrust of the present government of Cuba. which, un- der the presidency of T. Estrada Palma is really doing everything 1t can to con- ciIiate all factions and to establish affairs on a substantial basis. Unfortunately the government finds It's powers limited In many directions, and in addition there appears to be an opposition in the Senate and Congress to the President so strong that in almost any ministerial govern ment 1t would provoke resignation Of Che entire ofIicial family The first and most important limitation of the present government appears to be in the direction of floating a loan sufficient to carry out all the public Improvements contemplate ed, many of which were begun by the Americans. This limitation is ascribed directly to the Platt amendment, and doubtless justly so. As long as the government is prevented from making treaties with any foreign government without the permission of the United States, 1t is hardly in a position to give satisfactory guarantees for large loans. Not only the national but municipal gov ernments find themselves baked in this direction, and the city of Havana now finds it impossible to complete the pro Jected sewerage system. although the con tract has ben let. because 1t can not dis pose of the necessary &12. 900 900 worth of bonds in any of the markets of the world. The income of the national gov ernment from customs duties. etc, seems to be hardly sufficient to pay official sala- ries and to keep the mere machine of government running. and the money for improvement must come from other sources And if anything is to be paid the revolutionary army which is clam bring for back pay in a manner httie short of menacing, it must be raised in this nianner.
 A Negro Problem.
 There is negro political problem in Cuba and one of very serious proportions, In the intervention government this race seems to have received scant recognition in the distribution of places, many of the most important posts being even given to Spaniards and others who had made themselves conspicuous by their opp 1si- tion in time past to the idea of Cuban tn- When the present govern ment took charge At seems that the policy
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