Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-02

10 what is going on in Cuba, as we have
done in the last three years. There are
many. IN the island who behave that IL the
washington government had been informed
even in the most meager fashion of the
reign Of rascality which has been in prog
ress here for eighteen months this revo-
luton could have been averted. Certainly,
Secretary Taft and Secretary Bacon have
not concealed their establishment at the
condition Of affairs which they have found.
They are now working out some plan by
which the Washington government will be
able to keep close tab on the administra-
ton of affairs throughout the island, at
least until order is restored. At time
when even the commission has only ten
tative plan. it would be reckless, In the
course of letter, to predict ire nature of
the check which we shall keep upon the
island, but If possible, it will be disguised
in the form of some kind of commission Or
committee composed in large part OF Gu
bans whom the two American Secretaries
will select before they leave Havana.
. Americans living in Cuba today appear
for the most part to have no sympathy with
the Washington governments olicy toward
Cuba whether their money be invested in
sugar plantations, tobacco or grazing lands.
They look to and pray for the time when
Cuba shall be annexed to the United States.
To them it is a cold business proposition.
They think that annexation means free
trade Immediately, and that would mean
millions for them. When they are told that
II Cuba were annexed tomorrow 1t might be
the island and the states was destroyed
they retort:
whether we have free trade or not, an
nexation or even an American protectorate
will enormously increase the value of our
property, will insure US stable govern
ment, rapidly Americanize the island, and
all Of this will sooner or later be followed
by free trade"
Proper Consideration.
OF course the Americans have been given
proper consideration by the commission.
but their interests here have not been re-
garded as paramount. When stories come
In from the various parts of the island. Of
the killing Of cattle, of the raiding of farms
by the revolutionists; Secretary Taft has
addressed to the rebel leaders a request
that they guarantee protection to American
lives and property. Rather than land troops
the Secretary has endeavored to use the
forces in the field, whether they belong to
the government or the revolution, to main
tain order and protect lives and property.
Americans in Cuba are inclined to question
the wisdom Of this cautious policy: They
are unable to appreciate, the connection be-
tween our policy in Cuba and our policy in
South America They are concerned only
with their business interests. It is imma-
terial to them whether the Washington
government cultivate closer relations with
the republics to the south of us or not. The
future of the philippines is a matter of
absolute indifference to them except as 1t
their tobacco, They are out-and-out annex
atienists, at least the majority OF them are,
and the remainder favor a prOtectorate,
fearing lest immediate. anpexat1on would
arouse Cuba and plunge US into long and
disastrous war in the course OF which
American interests In the island would suf-
fer far more than In the spasniodic revo-
buttons which may occur under Cuban ad-
ministration. Yet even this element hopes
eventually for the annexation of the island
neaceably sad with the consent of the
Cubans.
An Unwholesome Atmosphere.
Future historians of Cuba in their ac-
counts of the revolution which is now
abroad in the land should not fail to give
the story of the part played In the peace
+ negotiations by a modest little balcony
upon which the conference room on the
second floor Of the American legation opens.
From here one obtains q magnificent view
OF the water, and thither, after almost
every hearing, Secretary Taft and Secre-
tary Bacon retreat for breathing spell.
without this refuge they would be in dam
ger of sitting. so sickening is the array OF
scandals, gossips. rumors and reports which
the representatives of the various factions
parade before the commissioners. as II thus
to convince them of the justice of their
cause With bombastic eloquence, Senior
Zayas, the leader of the liberals, arraigns
the Palma government on many charges OF
as many crimes. Neither he nor his asso-
ciates can find anything but i'll to say OF the
entire Palma gang Vice President Ca
pote, Senior Montalvo. the acting secretary
of the government, and other moderates fol-
low with an equally disgusting story OF
"the lawless revolutionary rabble. And
to believe what they say of the liberals V