Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-06
SITUATION IN CUBA
AN HAVANA LAWYER TALKS OF
THE REACTION.
Americans Now in the Island Engaged
in Business-The Govern
ment Success.

Ernest Lee COnant of law nrm IN Hd-
vana, Cuba, is at the New Willard. "Ihere
was somewhat of reaction after the
American military authorities left Cuba,
said Mr.. Conant to a representative OF The
Star, land American influences were not
as prominent in business as under military
rule. There Is a healthier growth now, and
many Americans are coming In to take
lands and engage in farming on their own
responsibility. These people do not come
at the suggestion of any land company,
and as rule know why they come and
what line of farming they intend to engage
in. There are between LOCO and 1900
Americans in Havana engaged in business,
and there is an American paper there pub
lished entirely in English. An American
brewery supplies the needs of those who
use beer, and the Havana electric street
railway is an American institution. This
road, with lines to Vidado Quemados, Ger
70, Jesus del Monte. Mariana and other
suburbs. The line is being extended to
Mariel twenty-five miles out.
Improvement at Vidado.
'Vidado, the beautiful suburban city by
the sea, has almost doubled in size, the
new houses being largely American. This
was always a favorite resort with Amer
leans, and the headquarters of the military
government was at the La Trocha Hotel at
Vidado. There Is Colonial Loan and De-
post Company controlled by Americans in
Havana, and American companies are pre-
pairing to raise cotton on a large scale for
the English market. The American Club in
Havana is quite an organization. 1t is pre-
sided over by Mr.. Merchant. The Van
Horn syndicate has completed its line Of
railroad from Havana to Santiago, and
three weeks ago trains began running. The
distance is about 600 miles, and it takes two
days to make the trip one way. The reason
of this Is that the trains tie up over night
and the passengers go to a hotel. Speed is
not particularly desirable, and as everybody
is anxious to see the country. and the rail-
road company is anxious to have the coun-
try along its line seen, all parties seem sat-
isf1ed with the arrangement. I suppose
later at least one through fast train will be
put on
Cuban Government Success.
II think the Cuban government has been
success. Notwithstanding the increase in
expenses by reason of a congress and
state department with several costly for
eign missions, the Cuban government has
materially reduced operating expenses.
Revenues have not declined and there Is
surplus In the treasury. The expenditures
for schools have been reduced without Grip
ping that branch Of the public service. The
recent strike on the street railway was
somewhat exaggerated in the United States.
The authorities suppressed the rioting in
two or three days, and too much credit
cannot be given to President Palma and
Chief of Police Cardenas for their firmness,
stead1ness and good judgment. The Incl
dent has been in reality Of great benefit. 1t
increased the confidence of the people in
their president, placed the chief of police
firmly in authority over his men, united the
police, increased their confidence and esprit
de corps and In every way strengthened the
government. think generally that there
has been less disorder less cattle stealing
than under American military rule The
people are more contented, and that NAV
account for it.
The Business Stagnation.
There is, Of course, business stagnation
at present, and will be until the treaty with
the United States becomes law There is
no question as to its meeting the approval
OF the Cuban government. The people
there have great admiration for President
Roosevelt, and look upon him as their
friend Generally they are suspicious of
the people of the United States as a whole.
and think that this country intends to COB
BILE them up at the first opportunity. There
is an entire lack Of cordially toward Amer
leans as people. If 1 had any suggestion
to make to the government there 1 would
perhaps advise less attention to the mil
Up to this time great deal Of energy has
been devoted to the organization of the
army. Perhaps this was necessary in a
country recently engaged in war; but the
future of Cuba depends upon the develop
ment or Its agricultural resources, and this
feature should receive early and earnest
attention"