Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-10
Immense Property Interests Exposed
to Serious Risks.
ANOTHER REVOLUTION LIKELY
Predicts That It Will Take Place
Within Six Weeks After the Ameri-
cans Leave the Island.
BY WILLIAM E. CURTIS.

reluctant to talk about politics for fear
they may suffer from the resentment of the
members of the liberal party. That is the
reason why I cannot give the sources of
much of the information concerning the
conditions here that has appeared in these
letters. If the provisional government was
going to stay they would not hesitate to
speak out, but one of the most prominent
members of the British coiony said yester-
day: LAS long as there is any doubt about
permanent occupation by the Americans
our tongues are tied. This rule applies to
everybody who has property interests. and
If they did not observe it they would not
have any property interests very long after
the Americans leave"
When [ asked whether the members of
to interest the home government in the
question of permanent American occupation
or protectorate, my friend replied:
The representatives of large British in
tereSts here are In constant touch with
their principals in London and with the
nome government, and new minister has
recently been sent out to look after us
The authorities in London are well posted
as to the situation here and at the proper
time will be heard from at Washington.
OF course, l cannot anticipate what will
De done or said, but l am very sure that
President Roosevelt will be reminded of
the responsibility assumed by the govern
ment of the United States for the protection
OF European as well as American interests
on TINS is and Your government has as
sumed that responsibility; the European
governments have recognized your right to
do SO, and will naturally hold you to it,
Hence. one would expect that President
Roosevelt would al least follow ordinary
precedents and consult the other powers
before he takes any steps that will i'm
peril the persons or property of their sub
jects here.
ole
folly for the government of the United
states to deliberately expose the interests
of Its own citizens and those of European
SUBJECTS to the serious risks which every
BODY recognizes will occur when the Amer
lcan governor and troops retire IT the
United States insists upon Withdrawing its
restraining arm from Cuba, of course the
British and other European governments
VIII have to send fleets here to look after
our interests, but my idea is that the Eu-
ropean powers will not permit it to with
draw The representatives of the European
powers in Cuba are Thoroughly advised
and have already notified their governments
or the risks that the United States must
assume If 1t leaves us to the mercy of the
leaders of the liberal party and the horde
OF off1ce-hungry, reckless and irresponsible
Insurgents who make up. the rank and
nile of that party"
How large are the European interests
in Cuba?"
European Interests in Cuba.
lhey represent something like 100000
ooo. The Spanish interests are the largest
amounting to perhaps $500 600 600; the Brit
ish interests represent perhaps $50 600 600.
the German about $4,000 600. and the hal
ance Is made up by the permanent invest
ments of the subjects of other nations
1hiS estimate does not include any A,oari
can interests which probably amount to
sl'noOO,oO. The English and the Ameri
eals nave the railroads; the Spanish have
sugar ana TOBACCO plantations and CONNER
clal enterprises: the Germans have manu-
featuring and commercial industries. ~
ltdllahs and French have commercial in
teiests; sugar and tobacco plantations and
cat1ie ranches owned by the REPRESENTATIVES
OF european powers and the United States :"
DO you considered these Interests on
dahgered by the withdrawal of the Ameri-
can troops?' O fiieii
EHect OF American Withdrawal
Ihere is no question about that Eyery-
body will tell you So Everybody who
cares express an opinion will tell Won that
no foreign interests are safe if left AT tho
mercy OF the liberal leaders, and that tho
interests of native Cubans are even moro
eNposeu IN every case where they do not
contribute to the support of the liberal
paI'y: II the government is turned over to
1 Ii hDerals they will split into factions
Inc men who do not succeed In securing
once Will get after those who are yunrs
fortunate The outs will always be MAX
ing raids on the ms and naturally ~
members of the moderate party will ossist
me outs" to make all the trouble possible
Furthermore, have no doubt that the law
less element will also be assisted by prop
erly owners who are anxious to force the
Americans to come back. Others will he
actuated by jealousy and rivalry. Won
often hear II said that the recent REVOLUTION
Whlcn oVerthrew the Palma government,
was assisted by Europeans and Americans
L do not believe that is true But 7 am
very confident that the next revolution will
be assisted by contributions from both he
cause they want to make the uncertainty as
short as possible. They are willing to ex-
pose themselves to certain degree and
suffer a certain amount of sacrifice in
order 10 secure permanent American gov
eminent, either by annexation or by a nro-
tectorate. One or the other must COME
sooner or later That is manifest destiny
because the Cubans are inca able of self
government and will continue to be for
several generations Their incompetency ia
the result of ineXperience, political repres-
sion and the example of a vicious Spanish
administration for three centuries.
The Next Revolution.
Il predict that the next revolution will
occur within six weeks after the Americans
withdraw. 1t will be led by portion of
the leaders in the late revolution-those who
do not succeed in getting what they think
they are entitled to in the way of office
The rank and file will be the same crowd
of ignorant negroes called 'alzados' MANY
of them were guerrillas during the revolu-
ton against Spain and served In the liberal
revolution last summer. They go into the
field for excitement, fun and plumber. as
well as for whatever they can make ont OF
the government. Their experience has been
very profitable. With President PaIma's
militia order, which gives $50 a day for
the three months when they were sun
posed to be serving their country, and Sec.
rotary Taft's order authorizing every man
to staed horse, they did very well.''
Would 1t be advisable to ..old the mn
nicipal elections on different date from
the national elections, in order to get q
better expression of public sentiment? 81
There Is no such thing as public sent;.
ment in Cuba. Those classes of the non,,.
lation which might create a public senti-
ment do not take any part in politics he
cause it is not healthful to do SO. The no.
litiNal parties have no principles and NO
policies except to reward their friends and
punish their enemies, and they will adonf
any measures that will suit the OCCASION
We say down here that the art of war In
Cuba Is to create generals and the art of
politics is to obtain Office. There has never
been an honest election in Cuba Both
sides cheat at the polls. The moderate