Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-14
TEACHING THE CUBANS
American Officers Showing
Them How to Govern.
FEW DlSMISSALS MADE
Inefficient Moderates Deposed From
Office.
NoN-PARTIsAN ADMINISTRATION
Recognition by the Powers-Attitude
of Foreign Interests and the
Island Capitalists.
NoN.PARTIsAN ADMINISTRATION
BY WILLIAM f. CURTIS.

BY WILLIAM r.. tORllS.
Special Correspondence OF The Star and the Chicago
Record Herald.
HAVANA. March 0. 1907.
The American officers In charge of the
Cuban government are actuated by dou-
BIZ purpose, first. to carry on its affairs as
we'll as possible. and second, to improve the
efficiency of their departments and teach
their subordinates how to run govern
ment. They have kept the organizations
of the several executive departments in
tact. There have been few dismissals.
Where designations have occurred the va
cancies have been filed by promotion for
merit or by the appointment of members OF
the liberal party. Very soon after the
provisional government was established
the leaders of that party presented state
ment showing that all the offices were
filled by moderates and that there ought
to he a change in that respect. When Gov.
Magoon came in not single liberal was
holding an official position In the Island of
Cuba Secretary Taft told them frankly
that he thought they ought to have a
share and gave them an assurance that
while it was not the intention of the pro-
yiS.onal government to dismiss faithful
public servants to make places for liberals.
however deserving. the latter should have
the preference when vacancies occurred
by resignation or by the removal of unfit
This assurance gave ineXpressible graft
fication to the outs because so many
citizens of Cuba make politics a profession
and office holding occupation. When
President Palma was first inaugurated he
was distinctly a bipartisan. He was the
unanimous choice of both parties. and in
making appointments he treated them i'm
partially. but ultimately he discovered that
he could not accomplish anything in the
WAY OF legislation without having polit-
zeal organization behind him. and became
a member of the moderate party. that is, a
conservative, and sought the advice and
support of the members of that orSaniZa-
tion. which is composed of the solid ele-
meut of the Cuban popula tion-men OF bust
ness affairs. the taxpayers and the edu-
Gated classes of the community. very
shortly after making this political alliance
he changed the complexion of his cabinet
and began to replace all liberal office
holders with members of the moderate par
Is everywhere in the provincial and mu-
nicipaI as we'll as the federal government.
Gov Magoon is slowly restoring an equi-
Ibrium He does not make changes as
ranidlv as the liberals would like, but thus
far has appointed no moderates. although
H., has promoted several members of that
party as a reward for their efficiency.
Coy. MasoOn treats his office as II 1t were
a receivership and is trying to conduct
III. business for the benefit of the putllc
without political considerations. How long
this will continue is indefinite, for accord
Ing To The. proclamation announcing the IN
tervcntion. the government will be turned
over To the CubanS again as soon as they
have elected new president and chosen
Now men for the offices.