New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-16
ARMY MEN DISAPPOINTED
Fear IN Regard to Cuba's PoJoer of
ISelf-GoUern
Iron The Tribune Bureau

Washington Sept 15.-Army officers in Wash
ington who were in Cuba during the American
occupation and when the island government was
established following developments there
with the keenest interest. Aside from the sig
nihcance Of the movement of armed forces 10
Cuba these officers who. under a military gov
ernorship. assisted in the organization OF a
native government and saw the Cuban ship Of
state safely launched. are especially interested
in the developments indicating the success or
failure Of the experiment
To say that there is distinct disappointment
over the turbulent conditions prevailing is put
ting it mildly. There is a general fear that If
the Cuban government organized and started
under the most favorable circumstances. is IN
able TO maintain itself now the cubans may
never be capable Of self-government
Though none OF the officers care TO express
their views. they frankly discuss the situation in
its most serious aspects. Lieutenant Colonel
James b. Hickey in the Military Secretary's
office who was adjutant general under General
Wood and was in Cuba the greater part OF the
time during the formation OF the government,
when asked his opinion to the significance OF
The present revolutionary troubles said:
AT the time when the American forces were
Withdrawn from Cuba the ISLAND was in good
oIuer. II was. or course Impossible to fOresee
what the future political conditions would he,
but there seemed every prospect Of good govern
menL Certainly the present develOpmnts could
not be anticipated four years ago. / am hardly
at liberty 10 comment what is taking place
now. Political excitement over the elections
seems 10 be the cause.
Other officers who served for a long time i'm
Cuba are not apparently surprised that political
excitement has disturbed the stability of the
island. These officers take the view that the
Cubans are tempeTamentally akin 20 their South
American neighbOrs, and that il is a most diff
cult task for them 10 eliminate intense feeling
from political contests. An officer OF the War
Department said to-day:
cuba was left 10 work out her own fate when
General Wood withdrew his forces on May 20
1902, and a constitutional native government
up his stewardship the island was on n sound
basis the people freed from foreign interference
and their cities cleansed and rehabilitated
Even the most pessimistic could not anticipate
shat the native government would not be sue
cessful la every respect
The experiment has worked Well for over four
years. during which time We have given evil
dence OF our friendly interest for the island by
the Cuban reciprocity treaty. There have been
disturbances now and then. but only Of a most
trihing character. and Of a kind with which the
native police could cope The Cubans them
selves seemed 10 have a full realization OF the
benefits 10 be derived under a stable form OF
government, encouraging the inflow Of Ameri-
can and foreign capital IN great quantities. IL
these conditions are 10 be changed and II riot
and revolution are 10 force American interview
ton for the protection OF American lives and
property there can be no one 10 blame but the
Cubans Themselves