Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-17
The Inaugural Address.


inaugural message will be the Indication of
the policy which he thinks is good for his
full four years term; yet he knows that
new questions will come up from time to
time. and new issues may develop. His
speeches and his interviews have given
fair idea of what he intends to say in for
NAL language. In all of them economic
conditions are put to the front. That is
mint enough regarding the tone of the mes
age.
Some of the Cubans would like to have
Mr.. Palma in his message state definitely
his purpose in carrying out the Platt
amendment and the number of naval and
coahng stations which he thinks should be
conceded to the United States. They would
also like TO have him declare in favor of
holding the Isle of Pines. While his opin-
ions on these matters are known, it is not
likely that he will tread on this delicate
ground of formally declaring himself in
state message. That would not be good di-
plomacy, and in arranging the future rela-
lions of the United States 1 hear a good
deal said of what Cuban diplomacy is ex-
pected to accomplish.
The program for diplomatic and consular
representation of the new government is a
modest one. AS such II meets with ap-
proVal. The treaties of friendship and COM
merce with foreign nations will come up
early, but all of Inem will wait on the
United States.
The most urgent need at the start is
"A
great many Americans now in Cuba are of
the class who ought to be extradited on
general principles, and unfortunately, they
announce that they are going to stay.
When the real criminals begin coming to
the island to seek refuge the Cuban govern
ment may deliver them up voluntarily. if
not as an act of friendship. still as an act
of Self-defense; but the eXtradition treaty. is
certain to be made.
1t is understood that one of Cuba's first
international acts will be its formal ad-
herence TO the postal union. 1t came into
that union under the rule of the United
States. The petty annoyance Of a change
In price OF postage stamps In itself would
be enough to cause the continuance of the
international postal arrangements
one embarrassing circumstance will he
ended when the republic is in full function
| This will be in classifying the vessels en-
gagged in coasting traffic Under the American
control they have had a provisional flag so
called which was unsatisfactory to the yes
| sells. With Cuba as an independent govern
ment its shipping will be regulated like tina
OF other countries.
Army and Navy.
| The Cuban army at the beginning of the
republic will consist of the rural guard
composed of about 1,40O privates and sixty
officers, under the comma nd of Gen Ale
jandrO Rodriguez, and the Cuban artillery,
trained under American army officers. 1t
numbers 400.
Hardly the germ of a Cuban navy exists.
| Two years ago popular fund was proposed
in order that when the republic was inaugu-
rated there might be one warship ayaila HE
! but the idea did not spread and the plan
| waj abandoned. The commander of the
revenue cutters which are scattered along
| the coast to prevent smuggling wanted to
| bring his fleet into Havana harbor to take
| part In the Inauguration ceremonies, but
/ Col. Bliss. the collector of customs thought
they would be better employed watching the
! I"al
| chief of the Cuban customs service, was of
| the same mind, and the mosquito fleet will
| not have the desire of its commander to
| appear as the Cuban navy gratified.
CHARLES NJ. PEPPER