New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-20
ONE YEAR OF FREEDOM.
CUB4'S 4NNIVERS4RY.
Good Government, Tenn perate Vie1Cs
and GrozCing Prosperity Shozgn.

American country a favorable comparison with
the auspicuous circumstances under which free
Cuba observes the first anniversary of her birth
Her career for the initial year fully justfes the
terse summing up OF a member of the United
States Congress who recently returned from
the island He said: Cuba has disappointed
her enemies and more than gratifed her
friends"
Thos. Jealous Of the indisputable success of
the Cuban Government cannot attribute it to
any kindly or charitable assistance from the
United States 1t is true that this country Is
IN largo measure responsible for the indepen-
dence of Cuba and for the sovereignty Of the
country the Cubans are indebted to the mag
nanimity of the United States, but for the
rrogress made since Cuba took its place among
nations 8. year ago and the success with WHICH
the government has been organized ana MAIN
tanned the Cuban people deserve all credit-
Cuba is to-day stronger financially ana PhSs-
ically than her most sanguine friends preolcteu'
Politically, the country is cleaner tn4h eve. IL
its history. All this has been accomplished
without outside aid. Cuba, it may DC s0io' AA9
most successfully survived wnat many ma
termed the critical period
On May 90, 1902. when General IolnaS rs
+rada Palma was inaugurated in Havana as
President of the new republic there were many
who predicted short and bitter career Ior 'ne
Cuban Government. wagers were freely oiiei g
that Cuba, within a year. even DeLO
months, would be annexed to the Ohi'eu
Civic strife financial disaster eoiiiiii'i >-'''
retrogression and incapacity for seh-soEstn
meut were advanced as some OF the pi0Of-'
causes that would make a failure OF tne UiN
taking None Of these have befallen Ihe SouHe
republic. which. although still in its swaodills
clothes. presents a record of which 1t can De
justly proud.
GREAT INCREASE IN SURPLUS
When General Leonard Wood, Military Gov
ernor of Cuba turned the island over 10 LIZ tn0
Cubans there was IN the treasury F'fV'oO0'
froro which some debts had to be settled The
last report issued by the Secretary OF lii0i'O7
shows 50 500. 900 to the credit of the govern
1a,+ after all current expenses have been
-aId The educational and sanitary depart
n,Ants-both very important in Cubd-naVe not
only been kent up to the standard estaOhshee
~, the American authorities but the facliitles
of the former have been increased ana the
latter is as efficient when Major W. A COT
gas was in charge of the work.
Peace and public order have been most ad-
,,frabIv maintained. There was really on4y
one occasion that demanded resort 10 ioI0e
for the maintenance of order. Ihat was III No
vana at the time of the strike rlots Iasl NJ
,bar enemies OF the IepUbitS sew 80
these an opportunity of starting an agitation Ior
intervention In the affairs of cuba Oy dnllOUiO-
ing that these riots were anti-American Demon
.+ro+fore There was not the slightest excuse Tor
those reports for the outbreak was nothhs
more than occurs in this country in tIhe OL
strikes It had no political signincahce nc
oufck and determined action taken oE me
government in suppressins the dlsoroei- On"
the readiness with which the rioters po"eU O7
z
fore the law speak we'll for Dotn' anu are
rroof to the world that the Cubans are not only
capable of administering the law Ou' are 4 10
abiding people - .-,.,-
roon+ failed 10 stamp out has been ehectuaIy
checked nv the rural guard, very oapaole nllAi-
tary police organization
PAIMA'S GOOD GUIDANCE
1,uo.idor+ Palma has reconciled nearly every
- 90 his former political opponents by his
ernrass tenacity Of purpose. honesty patriot
ism and his intelligent administration OF the az
fairs of state. The chief executive contToiS 1ii7
SaDate without dominating it. He is the able
advisor of that body and even Senator Mahuei
SanguflIy who in the first days OF the rePuD-
I,c was the chief Obstructionist, now assumes
q more respectful attitude toward the FreSl-
dent The Republicans have a safe working
oatoritv in this branch of the Legislature In
the House OF t(epItSSlitSiN4'C''
tiona1ists. with the support Of the Radicals
,-adon,inata President Palma has not so much
Influence but he has there strong support from
+be hest element and with the ever changing
atmosphere in the House he VIII prooaoIS cOn-
troll that branch soon.
Much of the credit for the gooo showing
which Cuba makes is attributed, and properly
so. to President Palma He has filed most
successfully the office which he accepted only
because as a Cuban and a patriot ne believed 1t
be his duty.
Economy has been the watchwoTd IN the ap-
propriation of government funds. and the hnan-
c,aI conditions prove how well it has been ad-
hered TO.
WORK OF SENATE AND HOUSE
Even without taking into consideration that
those who constitute the Cuban Legislature nave
had no previous experience in the science OF
government they have done remarkably Wen
and deserve the praise OF their people me
Senate and House have worked slowly out
ha,a accomplished much. Notwithstanding all
the DELAYS The most important measures
passed were the reciprocity treaty. the So''Oo''-
coo Loan bill and the Tarif bill
Ora oF the mistakes made by the Cuban Con-
gross was the repeal Of several orders and oe-
craas issued by Governor Wood without hrst
fnouiring into the reasons for their existence
ca of the members have attacked President
palma and the Platt amendment. but the Pres
,dant has triumphed and is more popular than
when he was inaugurated. which is great deal
IN a Latin republic. and the Platt amendment Is
as firmly embodied in the Cuban Constitution
as II ever was The attacks on it have tended
only TO bring out more forcibly that II stands
as a guarantee for the permanent peace ana
welibeing of Cuba. Despite the froth and
fume the wisest counsel has always prevailed
"a not one serious mistake can be charged