Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-08

his present position at the head of our lit
tie sister republic. President Palma under
stands both Cuba and the United States,
and he believes they are destined to work
together, although he thinks Cuba should
and will always be- politically independent.
Cuba Able to Govern Itself.
During our conversation along such lines
the president said:
I'VE have already shown that we are
fitted for self-government. The republic is
thoroughly established. and hope that 1t
will last for generations to come 1t is
new thing for US, but our people are patri-
otto, and they wish to do the best they can
for the country. 1t seems to me that we
are doing well. We have already surplus
of more than $4,000 900 in our treasury a
fact which shows that the government is
honestly administered"
"Then you do not have much graft or
boodling in Cuba
81 am glad to say no." replied the presi-
dent. Indeed our government officials are
remarkably honest If there were corrup-
ton l should know it, but so far there has
been none in any branch of the government.
Our officials are anxious for the reputation
of their country, and they are really work
ing for Cubas good OF course, now and
then projects are brought before congress
which might not be for the good of the
country. and such projects may sometimes
be adopted. II is so with every country and
every congress. Inc executive, however, is
a safeguard here against much improper
legislation of that nature"
New Public Works.
What will Cuba do with her $40 900 900
surplus l asked
THAT is a matter for congress to deter
mine" replied the president. "A great deal
of it will go into public works and the ex-
tension of those works which we have al
the betterment of this island. and we expect
that our revenues from now will be large
enough to enable us to greatly improve
Cuba. We expect to extend the public
roads and to build a good road system
from one end of the country to the other,
giving all the rural districts access TO the
cities and ports. This is greatly needed
and will be done as soon possible. We
are improving our harbors, and we also wish
to aid the railroads in opening up the I'M
developed portions of the country. We want
lines built which will make all parts of
Cuba accessible. and these lines will be
chiefly branch lines to the roads now in
existence. 1t may be that we shall aid roads
OF that kind by guaranteeing an interest
on the investment"
Cuba's New Railroad.
What has been the effect of the Cuba
railroad on the island?"
That road has done us an incalculable
good" replied President Palma Indeed.
now that 1t is here, l do not see how we
could have possibly done without it. The
road has opened up the whole OF eastern
Cuba and has given us through line from
one end OF the island to the other It has
further extensions In view, and 1t Is already
one of the chief arteries of our trade /
think that Cuba owes much to Sir William
Van Horne for building that road"
'Will IL be good investment"
"1es; although It may not pay dividends
for some time to come. railroad through
a new country is a longtime proposition
and the Cuba road may be some years in
building up its traffic. AS to the ultimate
value of the property. however. there is no
question. 1t is bound to come"
Americans in Cuba.
Are there many Americans in Cuba?"
Thousands of them. The number in
creases steadily. and is greater now than
at any time in our history. Those who are
coming are investing In all sorts of enter
prises, and doing much to enrich and
develop the country. Some OF them are
buying lands in large and small tracts"
Does Cuba welcome Americans?'
Yes. We want and expect that your peo-
pie will come here and help us develop
Cuba. This island will support q large
population. II is of enormous richness, and
a small tract of land suff1ces for q good
farm. All we need here is industry and
immigrants, to make this one of the richest
islands upon earth The Americans arc
noted az workers and business men. and we