Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-04
SATISFACTORY
Newly Elected President OF Cuba
Considered a Good Man
for Position.
1t Is Expected He Will Have q
Conference With Washing
ton Authorities.
Much Remains to Be Done in
Cuba..New Regime About
March l.

Washington, Jan. 4.-The war depart
ment has received information from
Governor General Wood, of Cuba, that
the election passed uneventfully, and
that there was no scenes Of disorder
during the day. He quotes the advices
received by leading newspapers Of Ha-
vana to show that the returns indicate
the election Of Senior Estrada Palma to
the presidency. This is entirely salts
factory to the administration.
Estrada Palma Is known to govern
ment officials because Of his long resi-
dence In the United States and the re-
lations which he maintained with the
government during the Cuban insured
ton and the period Immediately before
the wal with Spain. 1t is for this rea-
son alone that the administration feels
satisfaction over his election. Nothing
was done either directly o. Indirectly
to contribute to the same. Had his OPP
ponent remained in the field he would
have received impartial consideration,
and neither thru the military governor
in the island nor thru h civilian m
ployes would the United States counte-
nance any Interference with the con-
duct OF the Cuban election.
Other and important elections are
scheduled for the latter part Of Febru-
airy, and 1t has been frequently asserted
that Cuba's Independent government
would be established by March 1. This
is true with certain reservations. Gov
ernor Wood has already announced in
an official order that when fully and
completely advised of the election of q
president and other government officials
he will issue an order permitting the
assembling of the Cuban congress and
the inaugural proclamation OF the presi-
dent. This indicates that the primary
steps in establishing the Independent
government will depend upon a decision
by Governor Wood. He will consult
frequently with the officers Of the gov
eminent at Washington before deciding
upon his order.
Even With the assembling Of the Gu
ban congress and the commencement Of
the first term of the first president Of
the Cuban republic, partial military oc-
cupation will maintain. The admins
tration is bound by the terms Of the
Plat amendment to secure certain con-
ditions in the island before turning over
it's entire control to the new Cuban gov
eminent, and Withdrawing our military
force to the naval stations. These ma
val stations are OF themselves provided
for in the Plat amendment.
Questions OF sanitation and a number
of other important conditions are paced
upon the new Cuban government by the
Plat amedment. which was embodied
in the CubGT. constitution. 1t is very
doubtful whether the United States vii!
withdraw until 1t receives satisfactory
assurances that all conditions are car
ried out. Under that portion of the
Plat amendment which provides that
no treaties with foreign governments
shall be entered into without the con-
sent of the United States, almost a pro-
%tectorate is established ovre Cuba. Not
only does the United States look to Gu
ba to the carrying out In good faith Of
this important condition, but this coun-
try stands committed to all OF the world
powers for the good conduct Of Cuba in
her relations with them. For these rea-
sons 1t IS understood that Palma will
come to Washington before he goes to
Cuba and will have a definite under
standing as to the relations to be, maint
tanned between the new Cuban govern
ment and the United States. He will
appoint Cuba's consular and other e
r~esentatives to foreign countries and
will undoubtedly be guided to a certain
extent by the advice offered him from
Washington.
The administration does not appear to
have any fear OF Palma himself as the
head of the Cuban government. They
look with more anxiety upon the men
who will surround him, and upon whom
he will be more or less dependent for
the success or failure OF his administra-
ton. 1t is realized that the infant gov
eminent will be faced with some seri-
Gus and knotty problems. Industrial
and commercial conditions in the island
are far from satisfactory. A wise and
conservative course on the part of Gu
ba will probably secure concessions
thru the congress of the United. States.
which will open to it the markets of
this country. Already there is a strong
feeling in the house of representatives
against the Cubans as a class because
of their alleged ~ungrateful attitude and
yelled hostility toward the United
States. Only by wise and careful ad-
mdnistration can this feeling BE over
come and the concessions desired by
Cuba be secured.
The question Of raising revenue in the
island will be a serious one. The sal
aries Of all the military officers now in
charge Of governmental affairs in Cuba
are paid out Of the United States treas
ury. In spite of this. there is not a
great difference between the present
receipts and expenditures of the insu-
lar government. 1t is possible that a
civil government might be conducted
along more economical lines than the
present military government. That his
Will be done is very much doubted.