The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-19
m

As regards Gen, John r. Brooke, the first
American Military Governor Of Cuba, our
author bears witness that he was a soldier
with a soldiers training HE was ap-
preaching the year Of his retirement, and
had grown gray in the service Of his country.
His only ambition was that OF the true
soldier-to do the work to which he was
assigned according TO the best Of his ability
He had no special interests TO serve. and
no special axes to grind. Although often
severely criticised during the year Of his
incumbency, many a Cuban wished after
ward that he were back again. II was
remembered that, whatever his failings.
he never broke a promise. Gen Wood,
his SUCCESSOR was younger man, with an
ample endowment Of personal ambition. 4"
On page 1877 it is pointed out that, during
his incumbency OF the office Of Military
Governor, which lasted but a year. Gen.
Brooke accumulated a treasury surplus
Of nearly two million dollars. Gen. Leonard
Wood, during his term. which considerably
exceeded two years. overspent his revenues
by about 81 10000. Yet one year after
the withdrawal Of the American troops
the Cuban Treasurer reported an avail
able cash balance Of nearly 5000 900.
in the running expenses for items which
did not appear in the Wood budget, such
as the payment Of a Congress, a larger
salary and appropriation for the Executive
and the maintenance Of a diplomatic corps
and a consular service, II was also done
with no appreciable diminution in the
efficiency Of government in the depart
ments OF law and order, education, sani-
tation and public impro vements. Our
authors deduction ia that as a fnancier,
Gen Wood was outclassed by both Gen.
Brooke and Senior Estrada Palma
Inhis twelfth chapter Mr.. Robinson directs
attention 20 the fact that from the begin
ming Of the Wood administration there were
evinoed an increasing tendency TO ignore
the self-denying declaration Of the Teller
amendment TO the joint resolution Of
Congress and a deliberate purpose not
only 10 administer the present Affairs Of the
island but 10 essay regulation OF It's funda-
mental laws and governmental processes
Mr.. Robinson submits that, technically,
this could only be regarded as a fragrant
violation Of the nations pledge. The
point was not distinctly raised in the United
States, and the American people, hearing no
vigorous protest from the island, assumed
that Cuba's silence meant aoquiesoenoe
and approval. As a matter Of fact. the
Cubans took for granted that remonstrancc
would be useless. They felt themselves TO
be in the hands Of a stronger power, which,
having adopted a certain course Of pro-
cedure, was likely to adhere TO Il. The
power Of course existed, but the moral or
legal right to exercise that power was
MAINLY Questionable
Our author points out that Gen. Wood.
In his report for 1907, averred that sthe
work called for and accomplished was the
building up Of q republic by Anglo-Saxons
in a Latin country, where approximately
10 per cent. Of the people were illiterate,
whore they had lived always an a military
colony, where general elections, as we un-
derstand them, were unknown. in short
the establishment in a little over three yeara
in a Latin military colony Of a republic
modelled closely upon the lines Of our great
republic There was no warrant for this,
Gen. Woods personal exposition Of the
mission OF the United States In Cuba, The
only authoritative policy ever announced
by the United States regarding It's relation
10 Cuban Affairs was the policy defined by
Congress on April 49, 1898, in the following
words: The United States hereby disclaims
any disposition or intention 70 exercise