Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-01
WANT LINES DRAWN
Cuban taxpayers Desire a More
Definite Treaty.
FUTURE IS UNCERTAIN NOW
Occasion for Intervention Should Be
Plainly Stated.
CANVASS OF CONSERVATIVES
Petitions Addressed to President
Roosevelt Being Circulated and
Signed Throughout the Island.
CANVASS OF CONSERVATIVES
BY WILLIAM E. CURTIS.

Record Herald.
HAVANA, March q. 1907.
For several weeks printed petitions adj
dressed to President Roosevelt have been
circulated for signatures in all parts of the
Island of Cuba, and are cheerfully signed
by propertyOwners and other taxpayers.
The text Is as follows:
''We desire that the Plat amendment be
made more effective guarantee for the
protection of the property and liberty and
for the good government of the Cuban
people than it has been. We desire that
1t be amended so to prevent any further
political disturbances. which injure the
credit of the country, interrupt the indus
try and retard the prosperity of the people
To this end We desire that the United
States shall exercise a high administra-
tive supervision over the government of
Cuba in such way as the chosen repre-
sentatives of both countries may agree
upon, before the present provisional gov
eminent comes to an end. At the same
time we express our earnest aspirations
that an Independent, democratic form, Of
government be preserved, and that every
official from the president of the republic
to the humblest employe be Cuban. In
this manner peace in Cuba will be as
sured, as is the noble ambition of Presi-
dent Roosevelt, if the government of the
United States will share with the govern
ment of Cuba the responsibility of pre-
venting Instructions and preserving good
order.
Canvass of Property Owners.
This petition originates with the new
national-conservative party whose plat
form is based upon the idea of a protec-
torate by the United States 1t is composed
of former members of the moderate and
national parties and conservatives of all
classes both nd
Americans who are not asked to join or
sign the petitions because it is assumed
that they would prefer American DONNA
tlon so far as possible. The advocates of
canvass of the island and will give, every
citizen an opportunity to sign. They are
Just beginning campaign of education on
the American plan. and are trying particu-
larry to get an expression from the class
OF white Cuban properfyowners who take
no part in politics and pride themselves
on that fact They are called non politi-
cos They are sons and grandsons of
Spaniards: they hold large proportion of
the property of the island: they consider
themselves the aristocracy of Cuba; they
draw the color line as keenly as it is
drawn in South Carolina. and refuse to
participate in politics and will even not vote
because they say it would place them on !
level with the negroes. formerly their
slaves. This element ought to come into
politics and exercise it's influence in favor
OF good government. 1t would have a
powerful effect upon the plantation negroes
and the other wage-earners and would do
much to solve what looks like a hopeless
problem.
Foreign propertyowners ought to come in
also. They ought to take out naturaliza-
ton papers. bear their share of the re-
sponsibflity of government and be candi-
dates for Office but they do not like to
abandon their citizenship in England, Ger
many. France or Spain, sfear they may
require protection. They and the Cuban
''non-politicos" are very largely RESPONSE
bic for the conditions of which they COM
plain. If they would be willing to hold
office to take part in the campaigns. to
join political clubs, or even to vote, they
might drive out the SWaShbucklers of the
war of Independence and the professional
of1ceseekers and grafters. But the same
indifference and the same neglect of politi-
cal opportunities and responsibilities Is
found here as in New York Chicago and
other cities of the United States And
the worst of all is that many of these
aristocrats and wealthy propertyowners
contribute to the support Of the most dan
gerous political element in the country by
paying blackmail for the alleged protec-
ton of their property to local leaders
The commercial class are Englishmen.
Germans and Italians; the sugar planters
are Spanish, English and Americans: the
tobacco and cigar manufacturers are Ger
mans and Spaniards; the railroads are
English and American, and each of these
large interests has an underground eonnec-
ton with the disturbing political element
as precaution against raids, strikes and
other disorders.
The Americans are becoming quite
severe in their criticisms of President
Roosevelt, Secretary Taft. Gov Magoon,
and others. because we do not annex the
island. or take entire charge of the ad-
ministration of it's affairs They appear to
consider 1t the duty of the President to
look out for the interests of American citi-
zens in Cuba. regardless of those of the
natives or any other classes. They are un-
ho
impossible for Gov. Magoon to please them.
All foreigners, except Americans. will be
invited to give their support to the new
natonal-conservative party The foreign
ers. who have no votes, will be asked to
contribute money to carry on. the propa-
ganda, and to use their influence in pro-
noting it. The campaign is in charge of q
permanent comnittee consisting of Rafael
Montoro, the Cuban minister to England;
Mr.. BruZon. an eminent lawyer: Emilio
Nunez, governor of the province of Havana,
and Ruis Rivera, editor of the DariO de la
Marina, the leading newspaper of Havana,
and the organ of the Spanish colony. There
will be subcommittee in each of the six
provinces.
Revision Of Treaty Favored.
The platform proposes a revision of the
| treaty between Cuba and the United States
| on the basis of protectorate; the revision
| of the constitution of Cuba, 30 that the
relations of this republic to the United
States shall be strictly defined; to restrict
suffrage. to extend the term of the presi-
| dent and vice president to six years; to re-
organize the Judiciary: to reduce expenses;
| to extend educational facilities; to pro-
| mote Immigration; to reduce the tariff; to
amplify the existing reciprocity treaty with
the United States; to reduce the military
| force to a minimum; to give members Of
| the cabinet the right to participate In the
proceedings of congress, and to secure
other reforms.
| One of the most conspicuous leaders in
| this movement Is Emilio Nunez. a gradu-
ate of the University of Pennsylvania and
| for seventeen years a practicing physician