Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-09-27
CAUSES OE CUDA TROUBLES.

Mr.. Talcott Williams, who has been a
the Springfield Republican and Philadel-
phia Press. and for various literary journ-
ais. expresses. in an article In 1.-THE Out
look" the opinion that the Cuban insur-
rection is both over and under estimated
by the American public. 1t is part of the
Spanish temperament to resort to arms
Central and South America the stability
of the republic seems to depend on the
proportion OF whites in the population
Where only ten or fifteen per cent. Is
white revolution Is the rule In Cuba the
negroes number something over half
million In the total population of some
two millions; but they are largely OF a
dsorderly class. The insurrection. Mr..
Williams says. is not chargeable to lack
of material prosperity.
Cuba's sugar product from the old plan
tations In 1905 exceeded that Of 1894, the
largest year OF Cuban history. When
the lands newly brought under cultiva-
ton yield, the crop will be 1900 900 tons
Its tobacco product has risen to s2s 900, 600
Cuban imports, which in 1894 were s74 ono. =
900, have risen to s94, 900 ooo. This increase
of $4,000 900 represents the decrease OF
Spanish tribute and an increase Of general
consumption. It's exports have advanced
from Sloo, oOo, o0O to $40 COO ooO to sugar and
tobacco being added a large export of
bananas and vegetables. Wages for labor
have nearly doubled. Land has risen over
the entire island. An immigration of some
1900 a year adds one per cent. to its
population yearly. a proportion as large
as that of the largest yearly immigrat ton
to the United States. Its railways have
been dividing from five to twelve per
cent. its railway system has increa sed
almost one-fourth. from 1,2D9 miles to
1859 miles. The schools, 1888 in number,
had an attendance two years ago of 1851 900,
being more than three fourths of the
school population, where elementary edu-
cation was the privilege OF very few be-
fore American occupation. The govern
ment. with Its yearly revenue of 81, 900. ooC
and Its expenditure Of about SIC OOO, 90, has
had in several years a surplus larger
than during tho entire period OF American
occupation. 1t has sold Its bonds on a
level with those of our own States.
Other reasons than business distress
must therefore be sought for the insur.
rectlon. Mr.. williams finds them In the
political conditions. when the government,
! was turned over to the Cubans In 1909 the
: educated Cubans, represented by Presi
: dent Palma, now known as the liberals,
took control and obtained the LEADING
; Offices. The old partisan rangers and tn,
leaders Of the negroes were left outsld,
/ and became disconnected. The liberal
! city governments proved to he iargel,
corrupt and many removals of Officials
|, were made by President Palma. Tn,
, Cuban Congress did not answer expecta
lions. It refused to make approximation
elected to pass the laws giving local self
/ government which were required by tn
Cuban constitution. The bar OF Havan,
elected as Its board of governors iv
: judges who had been removed by Genera
Wood for bribery. President Palma, II
view of these conditions. cut loose from
the liberals and turned to the ''moderates,
to which faction most OF the veteran
, Of the war with Spain belong. His chang
was followed by the resignation OF hi
l"~s.--A> 'As ~ '>sAiaR " y new body O