Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-06
He WOULD TEMPOR|zE
Cuban Policy Suggested to the
President.
AVOIDANCE OF ALL ISSUES
Adoption of POGO TEMPO" Treatment
is Advised.
UNDERSTOOD BY THE NATIVES
Practice Of Deferring Decision in Re
gard to a Matter-View Of
German Manufacturer.
UNDERSTOOD BY THE NATIVE
BY WILLIAM f. CURTIS.

BY WILLIAM Z. CURTIS.
Special Correspondence of The Star and the Chicago
Record Herald.
HAVANA, April !, 1907.
l have talked with great many people
representing all the different nationalties
and various commercial and industrial in
terests, concerning political conditions
here, and in each case have asked what
the United States should do for the welfare
of the Cuban people. The wisest answer
l have received came from German
gentleman, who has lived in Cuba for forty
three years, who represents one of the
largest manufacturing interests and has
been remarkably successful in every en-
terprise he has ever undertaken. He has
a reputation of unusual shrewdness, fore
sight and business ability, and is said to
understand the character of the people SO
well that he has no difficulty in dealing
with them. 1 cannot use his name, for
the same reason that every other foreigner
and every man of property objects to be-
ing quoted. because he fears the resent
ment of the liberal leaders in case they
should ever come into power.
Yes, l have been doing business here
for more than forty years. said the old
gentleman, in reply to my questions, land
perhaps l have been successful as any
foreigner. If President Roosevelt should
ask me for advice as to his policy toward
Cuba, l should recommend him to do as |
have always done; to adopt a method
which l have always found successful; to
apply what l call the POGO TEMPO policy.
1 have always applied 1t when 1 have had
a difficult trade or a dispute with these
people, and it has always won. Presi-
dent Roosevelt can say it softly at first,
and he can say it louder later, If necessary.
1t is full of possibilities and precaution.
1t pledges him to nothing, but keeps all
roads open and leaves him free to act and
to change his course at any time.
Another advantage is that the Cubans
are used to it. 1t is their habitual answer
when you want them to do something.
POGO tempo means after while, in a
little time;' 1t is synonym of that familiar
word 'manana,' and amounts to the same
thing, except that it is a little broader and
reaches beyond tomorrow into the indefi-
mite 1t is the traditional business policy
of the country, and when you are in doubt
proverb, 'Manana sera otro dia. which
means there will be another day tomor-
row. You hear it very often. 1t is familiar
as any expression in the Spanish language
and your President might it very eff
fectively in treating with the leaders of
the liberal party. Tell him to stand pat
on the present arrangement and adopt the
POGO tempo policy.
Merely After the Offices.
NO one who is at all familiar with con-
! ditions in Cuba will have the nerve to as
sert that the people of this island are COM
petent TO govern themselves, except the
men who want to run the government and
who ought not to be allowed to do It. Their
opinions are naturally worthless They
have no patriotism they have no politics.
except desire to enjoy the salaries and
the parade of holding office and the prestige
of finding places for their friends. If they
can be given jobs they will be quiet They
do not who is president or hot her
the island is an independent republic or
under protectorate of the United States
1t makes no difference to them as long as
they are in it,, and, therefore it is not
safe to take their advice as to what should
be done here.
1T is true that capital is selfish and
timid, but that is not popularity of Cuba
l think you will find the same trait every
where In the United States and Europe,
and you cannot blame men who have ac-
cnmulated property for objecting to hav-
ing II placed In peril. And you cannot
blame those of us who are responsible for
very large investments belonging to people
in other countries for feeling an appre-
hension as to their safety. Our RESPONSE
bility Is very great and think that Presi-
dent Roosevelt and the Congress of the
United States should hesitate a long time
before they expose US and the interests we
representa- the danger of destruction There
Is not so much danger to foreigners in case
the United States should withdraw it's au-
thority as to the native Cubans. The leaders
of revolutions have considerable respect for
foreign intervention. They know that they
cannot hoid their power long If they do not
exercise it discreetly toward foreign in
vestments, but they cannot control the ac-
tons of their irresponsible followers SO
as to protect all foreign property, much as
they would desire to do so. do not think
that they would hesitate to punish a ma
tive Cuban who does not agree with them
in their theories of independence and free
dom. They regard native Cubans who
a
loyal, and deserving of punishment and
they will certainly show their resentment
| when the American troops are withdrawn
Urges "Poco TEMPO" Policy.
What would I do If were President
Roosevelt I would stand pat on the pres
ent arrangement indefinitely and when
the liberal leaders come to complain and
ask when they will be allowed to run the
government, I would answer POGO ITEM
po. The next time they came I would
say POGO tempo again; and I would keep
on saying 1t all the time until they settle
down to some honest employment and
learn, as they gradually will, the adj
vantages OF peace. In the meantime, I
would equalize the offices among the menu
bers OF all parties. giving, each a fair
show and picking out the best men that
care of in the municipal Offices as many as
possible, which will not only satisfy their
craving for power, but will crafty their
pride, give them experience, and chance
to manage their own affairs. You must
handle these people with kid gloves; their
pride is very sensitive; they are very i'm
questionable and they like parade. Avoid
all talk about annexation and protecto-
rates; postpone political agitation and pre-
vent 1t so far as possible.
'"The negroes will keep quiet and go to
work II the agitators do not keep them stir
red up. Give them schools and show them
other attentions; employ as many as possi-
| BILE upon public works and make them think
you are doing something for them The
| island needs roads and bridges very badly:
many of our most prominent cities are with
| out water supply; there are dozen diff
| ferent enterprises of the greatest public i'm
portance which ought to be carried out
as soon as possible. and they will furnish
employment to thousands of men in differ