New-York tribune., 1902-03-25

island Simple truth il is too. that in several
particulars the situation this year will be worse
than in 1895; that the owners of mills, planta-
tions and vegas are more deeply inNolVed IN
debt than they were then; that on the WIN
drawal of the American forces the Cupans VIII VII
he called upon 70 support a ne" d SOY nm or
and the salary list that Will be imposed upon
them will be found to he very heavy hurdeh
and, more important still, the first real trlal OF
strength between the political parties IN Cuod
is still to come.
This trial of strength between the political
parties may prove a pretty grim proceeding
The merchants Of the Vuelta Abajo viii CONFESS
thai they cannot look forward to it without
great anxiety or fear But as | have already
mentioned the reluctance of patriotic Cubahs 10
admit that there is danger of another insured.
tion or of destructive riots, my readers VIII OF
course understand that TINS rear VII ,. ne - -
fcssed, not lightly or to the first conner but ohIy
al the end of a heart to heart talk.
Il shall have TO go away from CUBA II tne
American troops are To- be Withdrawn when the
planters and manufacturers ar- too poor TO
Keep their men at work, a native CUBAN say
to us in the afternoon of long day spent with
him in the country. He asks to believe that
he does not fear for his personal safety,
ana knowing that his reputation is excellent,
and ourselves finding him man whose honesty
and intelligence would be recognized anywhere
in the world. naturally assent TO this. lie
has not an enemy in Cuba he has never mixed
in politics, he has given generously 10 the
poor that he has no great property left to tempt
bandits. Many persons of different social ranks
have spoken TO of this prominent manu-
faCturer and all in his praise-an unusual
circumstance where the population is ulNiued
into hostile factions. He does not THINK, theh'
that his own life would be in danger, but he
assures me with emotion which he cannot quite
conceal that he does not want to see what Is
going 10 happen to his friends. His Cuban
friends viii hang his Spanish friends, and his
Spanish friends will hang his Cuban friends
not half of the white population will he left on
the island. and the blacks will have things their
way. Spanish residents (ConserVatlVes)
and Cuhans Republicans Of the war party) hate
each other with a deadly hatred which is
stronger than any other sentiment"
If President Estrada Palma were going TO
assume the duties Of his office with all the ad-
vantages of a full treasury tthere VIII be but
a poor half million of dollars in itD, and or
normal conditions of business throughout the
island to insure the payment of taxes and the
employment of labor; with a sufficient force or
native soldiers and police To preserve order. ana
with the assistance Of the ablest men or the
island as associates In the administration
least some of the men who are now living IN
rctirement--then it might seem that these ap-
prehenSOus would not be justified. But Senur
Estrada Palma'S WarmeSt friends cannot refuse
to admit that the now government VIII be terri
bly, Handicapped by lack of funds, that, II
trouble comes tWO-thirds Of the native soldiers
and police Nut a handful all todd will be apt
to sympathiZe with the rioters, pillagers or in
slrgents: finally, that the new government VIII
be unprepared 10 deal with such problems Wig
orously. or TO produce an equivalent for the
prestige of our army and navy, though there
is a general sentiment Of respect for president
Estrada Palma personally, and no lack or ap-
ureciatiOn Of his blameless character.
MARION WILCOX.
Havana March y. 1902.