The Washington times., 1905-04-16
CUBAN ELECTION
IS CRUCIAL TEST
Republic Will Be Tried
Out in December.
VIEWS OF 7. E. BURTON
Thinks Nc WaT-Like Operations Will
Be Necessary With Santo
Domingo.

ORbhiNh VI Representative l. T.. burton
the crucial test Of the government of
the newborn republic of Cuba will
come next December, at the presidential
erection. Al present, the atmosphere
of Cuba appears full of danger.
Mr. Burton has recently returned from
visit with the Rivers and Harbors
Committee of Congress to the islands
of the West Indies. Time was found
to inquire infinitely into the political
conditions in the islands composing this
interesting group.
Mr.. Burton's Views.
in speaking yesterday of observations
made on the trip Mr.. Burton said:
The most striking fact which visitor
must notice in visit to the West In
dies is the great increase in the rela-
tons of the United States with the is
LANDS. The main reason for this is the
increase in our use of tropical products.
IN which there is the most notable in
crease OF our import trade.
'.chere has been marked decline in
the prosperity Of most of them, due In
e great part to the development Of the
beet sugar industry in Europe. thereby
aTordinE another source of supply for
this article, while formerly the main de-
pedence was upon the West Indies Our
intervention in Cuba and the proposed
construction of the isthmian canal have
also established decided change in our
relations with the islands Z
Then, too, the establishment of
steamship lines giving prompt and regu-
lar communication with the United
States has greatly increased communi-
cation and caused the people TO look
more and more to us for a market and
for supplies. The market in Europe
has been greatly diminished, and it is
not possible for them 10 maintain their
former prosperity unless they increase
their trade with us.
."Fhe situation in Cuba is a very in
teresting one. There has been great
improvement In commercial prosperity
and public order since 1901, when l first
saw the island. The Cuban treasury has
the largest surplus proportionate to its
revenue and expenditures of any coun-
try. The crucial test of the present
government will occur next December
when a presidential election is to occur.
Elements of Danger.
Unfortunately none of the peoples in
the West Indies seem to have due
the elective franchise, or of other duties
belonging to a republican form of gov
eminent. 1t is but natural that their
use of tie ballot should have elements
of danger because there is not the same
standard of education as in this coun-
try, and more. because the traditions
and ideas of the people are derived from
recollection of Spanish rule Anyone in
authority is regarded by many as an
enemy
Political parties do rot carry the
same significance as in this country
The opposing principles are not clearly
defined in any of the West Indian coun.
tries, and the successful parties in tho
past have not paid very strict regard
tc the principles in their party plat
ferns, but rather have shown grea
readiness to act independently of them
The individual counts for very mucl
more there than IN the United States.
In Santo Domingo the political par
ties are named after the Presidents wh'
are in office or those who have bee
assassinated or exiled- The same
true in a measure of Haiti, the blacl
republic, which, while occupying onl
a third of the island of Haiti, Is muc
more populous than the more extensiv
republic OF Santo Domingo.
1.-The committee called at Santo Dc
ningo, the capital of the republic c
Santo Domingo. 1t was on the very da
when the news had arrived that tn
Senate had declined to ratify the treat
Under which our Government was
take charge of the custom house an
devote S. per cent of the proceeds tc
ward the payment Of the indebtedness
of the republic.
The situation was very threatenin
one. This little republic has DerhaT
passed through more troublesome revt
lutions than any government on Tn
globe Here. as well as in Haiti, ma
tority of the presidents have been a!
Fascinated or exiled. We visited place
both in Porto Rico and Cuba IN Whic
there were exiIed presidents of SAINT
Domingo watching their oppoItuniti
for return.
Cause for Congratulations.
II would say that there Is genuir
cause for congratulation in the eour'
off the President in agreeing upon q
arrangement by which the revenues a.
TO be collected by officials chosen by OF
Government. In this way only cou
bloodshed be averted Every revolution
depends upon the proceeds of the Gu
tom house to maintain warlike oper
tons.
1T is to be said that no warlike oper;
lions will be necessary on our part; 4
not only do President Morales and Il
most intelligent people in Santo d
mingo desire that we take control, b
this seems to be the wish of all foreif
countries having claims. The prospe
that the republic may pay its DEBTS
full fs not good.
Jamaica shows the effect of Ensli'
rule. and the better government whi'
they have enjoyed for a long time. Her
as we'll as in the other Islands. 4
people are looking more and more
the United States. The United Fri
Company has made considerable pr
gress In the island In the raising al
purchase of bananas and other tropic
fruit. They have established termins
at Port Antonio at the northeaster
part Of the island. from which there a
regular boats carrying fruit and passe
gers as Well TO the Atlantic sedDoa
and TO New Orleans.
During our stop at kingston \
noticed numerous advertisements I
laborers on the Panama canal. -
agent was gathering 500 to go to t
tSthnuS at an early date. The color