The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-17

is largely accounted for by the extension oil
the industry on a comparatively small num-
Der Of the larger estates. and that It is moi
fairly indicative Of general prosperity
In the island. For the real evidence OF the
improved conditions Of the island statistics
are valueless. That Ii not shown. nor can
II be shown in figures. 1t can be seen only
by trips through the island. which are ex-
ceedingly unusual for those who visit Cuba,
stay a week. and return to expatiate upon
the marvellous achievements Of the ad-
ministration. 1t is seen in the little palm
leaf huts. or bohios, erected by the Cuban
peasantry. the oudjiros: in little areas OF
garden patch In which boniatos, mdidnoo
and pIatanos have been planted and Guilt
waited. often literally by hand, by those
to whom immaculate city streets are no ad-
vantage. And these are the majority.
Less than one-third Ct Cuba's population
Ia to be found in cities Of 5000 or more
persons; s. per cent. Of 1t 10 to be found In
places Of less than 1000.
very high percentage Of this 81 per cont,
added to the large number Of the poorer
classes resident In the cities and larger
towns. makes up an element which, In the
present condition OF the island, 10 q very
small factor In statements OF Cuba's COM
merce. export or import. But they are an
element Of important value In questions
Of Cuban trade. Having the means with
which TO buy. the Cubans are liberal buyers.
Their wants are not wide in range, perhaps,
but they have wants, and wants are the basis
Of all trade. They want, and most Of them
now greatly need. clothes and shoes and
furniture and household utensils. They
want more food and better food. They want
hoes and ploughs. work oxen and ponies.
They want many things which the people
OF this country have 70 sell, and which they
will buy IL they have the means with which
TO buy them.
This Is q story which Capt. Bellairs'
and his kind never told. 1t was not told
TO visiting officials when they were enter
tanned at the Palace out Of funds from the
Cuban treasury. 1t was not seen by the
tourists as they drove around the Prado
and visited Moro Castle and Cabana. Il
IL found in the columns OF the local press
for the last three years. The Military Gov
ernor scoffed at II. He pronounced all
statements Of industrial distress to be only
the querulous complaints Of a disahected
disahectcd because II had been
unable to get its hand in the official pot BY
reason Of the alert watchfulness OF the said
Military Governor, who, nevertheless. car
ried many thousands Of dollars worth Of
sinecures on the official payroll. The
windows OF the official palace in Havana
were regarded as the best point from which
10 give the American people view OF the
island Of Cuba and it's inhabitants. The
estate Of a wealthy Spanish planter, Senior
Pelayo. was the favorite resort for the off,
cial display Of Cuban industry. The toiling
md struggling little oudjiro was neither
nor entertaining.
American public opinion regarding Cuba
md the real life Of the island Is evidently
N sore need OF revision. The relations
between the two countries. political and
are not temporary. They are
permanent. Only upon basis Of full and
proper knowledge Of the island, It's people
md its possibilities can there rest that
Of relations, that harmony Of
III interests. which is imperative alike for
he highest welfare OF both Cuba and the
United States,