The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-12-29
CUBA is NEAR CRISIS
Administration Is Concerned
Over Conditions Oh Island.
MAY YET BRING ABOUT WAR
Minister Quesada Takes Opposite
View-BeIieves Affairs Are as Salts
eraI Stan Prepared to Push Troops
FOrYard-Work to Prevent Clash.

WAR is probably the only way out Of
the difficulty"
This was what a prominent member Of
the administration said yesterday in the
course OF a discussion Of the Cuban stu
alton. It is obvious that the admins
tration, as well as leading members OF
both Houses Of Congress, IS concerned
over the condition Of affairs in the island.
and that this government is not averse
10 having the country informed as TO
developments which are almost certain
10 come within the next few months, pos
sibly within the next few weeks, and per
haps IN a few days.
Senor Quesada. the Cuban Minister on
the other hand. expresses satisfaction
with the present state Of affairs at home
An my official and personal advices in
dicate that the situation is as nearly nor
NAL as it could be expected TO be in the
circumstances he said last night. Every
body is working on the plantations. and
the sugar and tobacco crops will be
greater than ever. The prospects Of Cuba
have not suffered in any way. Lives and
property are to-day as safe as in any
cases OF lynchinEs and the proclamation
of martial law does not indicate that this
country is in anarchy. The thousands OF
tourists who are visiting Havana and
the island can testify to this fact. as well
as to the good health that is general
there
Quesada Compliments MagOOn.
ton Of Governor Magoon." Senor Quesada
continued, and the firm belief of every
Cuban patriot that President Roosevelt.
the American government and the Ameri-
can people will see that no injustice is
done the Cuban people by those specuIa-
tive interests which are desirous OF pic
turing Cuba in a state Of turmoil and Of
creating the impression that the Cubans
are entirely unfit for self-government. are
contributing 10 bring tranquility 20 the
leaders and confidence to the citizens
who are working in the country If any
trouble comes in the future it will be To-
mented by unScrupulous spectators, who
are anxious to take advantage Of unset
tied conditions. not only in the island, but
anywhere else, TO make money regard
less of all other considerations. There
must be patience and good Will toward
the Cuban people. and the political squab-
bIes and ambitions of their leaders. which
are identical with those Of every other
country, must not serve as an excuse to
condemn forever a people who have
shown their capacity for production, and.
above ALL their honesty in the admins
tration of their government.
The failures Of Cuba and Cubans are
those of any young country" said the
Minister. The best sentiment prevails
in the island toward the American gov
ernment. The Cubans look upon the
United States not az a greedy neighbor
but as a big brother. I have confidence
in the American spirit Of fair play. and
believe that the Cuban people will soon be
able to establish a stronger and more
stable government than the one which
for four years received only praise from
those who have interests in the islands
Administration Is Disturbed.
Notwithstanding the attitude of Senor
Quesada. it is plain that the administra-
ton is far from satisfied with the situa-
ton in his country. Efforts on the part
Of this government 10 provide for the
election Of representatives in the Cuban
Congress, and for the establishment of
stable government, are not being met
with real sympathy by either of the po-
litical parties in the island This is prob
ably more the fault OF the Moderate
party, which was iE power at the time
the American government interviewed last
summer, than of the Liberal party, whose
members started the recent revolution
1t is said that the Moderates have been
encouraging small bands to commit dep
relations, and that, as a result, it has
been necessary for Gen Bell, who is in
command of the United States forces in
the island, to send two troops of cavalry
through Santa Clara province It was
announced that these troops would