Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-05-23

or manner. In view, however, OF the
bitter hostility between the Moder.
ates, who represent practically every
substantial interest in the island, and
the revolutionary element, which has
Everything to gain md nothing to
lose by disorder. 1t may be necessary
to continue American intervention
much longer than has been planned
| The provisional government of Gu
ba by tho United States has perhaps
done wisely in pursuing thus far q
NEGATIVE policy rather than positive
one-that of simply maintaining the
status quo" rather than proceeding
with constructive reforms. There are
evidences, however, that this course
Is not entirely satisfactory to those
who remember the vigorous admins
stration of Gen. Wood when the results
were clean streets, improved health
and better economic conditions Since
the recent visit of Secretary Taft to
Havana. our government is commit
ted by the arrangements for the cleo
lions to remain in Cuba Mt least
eighteen months. There Is apparent
ly no reason why this interval should
not be improved to introduce import
ant economic reforms In tho island.
/ lit is quite proper that tho
United States should refrain from
any stops looking toward per.
manent occupation of Cuba, but with
eighteen mouths available many re.
forms could be initiated that could
be left TO the Cuban people to con-
tinue, II the American provisional
government were to come to an end
after the proposed elections The
fact TINT tho Cubans have some slight
capacity for carrying out reforms af-
ter these have once been started Is
illustrated by tho present clean con-
dition of the streets of Havana the
thorough bookkeeping of tho Cuban
treasury and other measures that
probably would not have peem adopt-
ed by the Cubans but did commend
themselves to them when once estab-
lished.
There are plenty OF problems lying
on the surface of Cuban economic
life without even seeking for those
which may lie little deeper. The
Cuban treasury is in much tho posi-.
,tion Of our own In having large sur.
plus OF receipts. This withdraws from
tho use of industry money that might
he distributed among the banks. The
present surplus In Cuba is about $751;
100000, or approximately $40 per.
capita. At the same rate per capita
this would amount to locking-up OF
$500, 100000 IN the United States-an
event that would mean an economic
convulsion of the most appalling
character. Fortunately, the money is
not quite so much needed in circu-
lation fin Cuba at the present mo-
ment MS Mt other seasons, but 1t be-
hoovcs the provisional government to
take measures in time to prevent dis
hster from this cause In the future.
The entire coinage system calls for
revision, and the banks should be
brought under dcgreo of official
supervision that has not yet been
provided. The island Is now relying
for It's minor circulation on Spanish
silver, which is neither Mt par with
gold nor down to the level of silver
bullion. Its value depends essential
ly upon tho fluctuations OF eychane
between Paris and Madrid and intro.
duccs an element of speculation Into
the everyday transactions of the peo-
pie that ought to be brought speedily
to an end
These are only samples OF the sort
of problems that could be solved
without serious controversy and with
great benefit to the people of Cuba,
whether conditions contribute to
make American control permanent or
not. 1t is eminently desirable that,
II the United States wlthdraws from
Cuba, 1t should leave the same favor
able Impressions of It's efficiency
and its devotion to the public intcr-
est that 1t left during the first oc-
cupation. If, on the other hand cir
cumstanccs make the occupation per-
manent, Ike that of the British in
Egypt, then nothing will be lost by
having already established American
standards of efficiency in every