Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-07
M. D. o'copnell, Solicitor of Treas
ury Department, Likes Cuba.
CALLS PALMA A PRACTICAL NAN
Says cuba's President Believes the
island Should be Annexed by the
United States but Great Body of In
habtants Are Opposed to Plan.
Drank ]. stillman.)

Washington. April 2.-Solicitor M.
D. O'Connell, of the treasury depart
ment recently returned from fort
nights visit in Cuba, and expressed
himself delighted with both his Jour-
neyings and sojourn on this wonderful
Island so lately wrested from theI
grasp of Spain His purpose was to|
acauaint himself on many points re-
lating to the province and its people,
and as he is a gentleman who travels
with ears and eyes open, what he saw
! and heard from the standpoint OF an
Iowa man cannot but be of interest to
Iowa people who like to take their IN
| formation fresh from an accredited
mental laboratory His daughter, MISS
Fannie. accompanied him, forming
dual combination which always gives
! best promise of enjoyment.
President Palma.
| As might be expected, their initial
call was upon President Palma, CON
corning which Mr.. O'Connell SAID:
1--we had cordial friendly interview
with President Palma. 1t is well
known that he taught school for TWEEN
ity-five years near New York City, ana
had not been in Cuba for the entire time
until he went to take the oath OF once
as president and enter upon the DIS
charge of the delicate and responsible
duties of guiding the destinles OF the
newly organized republic, OF which he
is already very proud When congrat
|ulated upon the success he has SO sig
!, nally achieved in uniting the people
, and bringing about feeling OF TREND
illness and content, as well as protect
ing the treasury until it contained
: surplus of S2,500,000. he seemed pleas
, ed and stated chat he proposed in any
: event that the revenues OF the gov
I eminent during his administrators
Q should exceed the disbursements
I President Palma impresses one as be
! ing a practical, self-poised man, no
l. brilliant but clear-headed, in fact, al
excellent, all-around executive. He i
below medium height, and has small
} well-shaped head AS to the future,
I am satisfied that Palma is a hearty be
Iliever in the doctrine OF annexation
, with the United States, and is no doub
; confident such result will be effected
lin time. but is too shrewd to openl.
|, entertain such an idea at this time
d In fact, he says the great body of TIL
n inhabitants are opposed to it, althoug
h of the opinion that time ard bette
Il understanding of conditions may in
duce a change of sentiment. After hay
er ing endured Spanish tyranny for years
Il they are in a mood to heartily enjo
he an Independent government"
II Cubans Grateful to America.
y AS to what the United States has a
st ready done for the islands, Mr.. O'Cor
IS. neil further said: There is no que!
OF ton but that the Cubans are gratefl
nt to the United States for the interfe
Ok ence that released them at once an
k, forever from the Spanish yoke, and "
ne underlying this is feeling of dissa
e. isfaction concerning existing trade r.
IL lations They entertain the MOTTO
en- that the United States, having com
SO to their rescue, is in duty bound
NJ stand by them in any financial nee
IN. and to accord them special favors
Oh the way of tariff allowances. They a.
is manifestly not well pleased with VIII
on was accomplished by the last congre
re along these lines and especially OF II
re. disposition made of the reciprocl
SO treaty. This would be expected wht
Ter it is remembered that there is quite
ms explosive element in house and Sc
oil ate, but believe in the main they a
u men who desire to make success
ra- the problem of self-government tn
till has come to them" Mr.. Squiers
let representing the interests of the u
.se ted States in Cuba with rare tact al
F#* wisdom. His experiences in Berli
and later in Pekin with Minister &C
elk, ger. have given him an admirable II
nishing for the peculiar duties fallil
a.. I y