Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-10

voters. The liberals would have done the
same If they had had the chance"
what have you to suggest to the United
States government
Would Retain Present Government.
MY idea is to retain the present pro-
visional government indefinitely, and in the
meantime to increase the rural guards to
eight or ten thousand men, under the COM
mand of American officers to keep up the
discipline. 1 would keep the guards moving
from place to place, so as to avoid local in
huence and prejudices. 1t would not be
necessary to retain the American soldiers
II the rural guards are differed by Ameri-
cans. 1t Is good force, although the Of
fcers are weak and inexperienced. They
know nothing about military affairs: they
nave the same character and disposition as
other Cubans; they are subject to the same
influences, and must always have strong
and determined commander in order to
maintain their efficiency. With such
commander and with a few American Of
Ulcers they can be kept out of politics and
Will take care of any revolution that may
occur.
Il would next provide a code of laws to
carry out the provisions Of the constitution,
which the liberal majorities in congress
neglected to do year after year. This must
be done under American supervision, or it
will not be done al all.
Reform of the Judiciary.
1T is also necessary to reorganize the
judiciary and place it upon a permanent,
nonpartisan basis, so that it cannot be used
for political purposes, and so that impartial
Justice may be guaranteed to every citizen,
native or foreign, which is not the case to-
day. We have plenty of good lawyers in
Cuba. and If you will question them they
will tell you that half the decisions of the
Cuban courts since the republic was estab-
lfshed unconstitutional and Illegal be-
cause the judges were without jurisdiction
and We're not appointed and confirmed, as
required by the constitution. Half the time
the courts of appeals have been made up of
substitutes who had no right to sit on the
bench. 1t is perhaps incredible to those
who are not familiar with Cuba, but ven-
ture to assert that a majority of the Cubans
prefer the present Irregularities to an hon
est, constitutional judiciary, and hence it
is necessary that INSTRUMENTATION take
place and the judges be selected before the
Americans withdraw. The liberal party
cannot be trusted with such a serious re-
Sponsibility.
Il would then reorganize the entire gov
ernmerft on basis of efficiency, regardless
of the threats of the liberals The pro-
Vlsional officials very we'll liked. Gov.
Magoon is severely criticised for being too
lentent and for appointing unfit men to
office, but fancy that he is acting under
instructions from Washington. He does
the best he can under these Instructions
which do not allow him to appoint any one
who is not recommended by the job COM
mittee' of the liberal party The President
and Secretary Taft are SO afraid of trouble
that they do not allow Magoon to exercise
any discretion or act independently upon
his own Judgment He is compelled to sub
init to the demands of the liberals That
is not the way to command respect or Sc
cure confidence. The American government
has lost a great deal of its influence and
authority by conceding so much to the
liberals, because they recognize it as an in
dication that you afraid of them. They
mt 1r No.
the correspondence between Secretary Taft
and the President concerning the 'pacifca-
uon measures that were taken here last
fall was published. Almost every day Sec
rotary Taft sent a telegram to the President
saying that such and such concessions
must be made to avoid trouble, and the
liberal leaders have taken the hint. Every
time they want anything they put on their
uniform and sharpen up their swords, and
Gov Magoon is frightened, and comedies
what they want. That is no way to 'pacifi-
cate these people.
The American officials.
The other American officers have made
an excellent impression, both during the
original occupation and the present inter-
Ventlon. They are all good men and would
give us good administration if they were
allowed to select their subordinates for
other than political reasons. ASK Col
Black of the department of public works
what sort of men Gov. Magoon gives him
70 carry out improvements; ask any OF
the other American supervisors what
sort of assistants they get from Gov.
Magoon by the recommendations of the lib
eral job committee. They are compelled to
take politicians to whom the liberal party
thinks the government owes a living
People who are not in politics, the prop
erty owners and the taxpayers of Cuba
want the United States to stay 1t is not
matter OF patriotism. It's a matter of
pocket. One class will support any gov
eminent that will give them an office and
the non poiitieos' will support any govern
ment that will give them protection and
secure peace to the island.
Before consenting to an election for
president the government of the United
states should enter into negotiations with
the leaders of the liberal party and secure
from them positive pledge that they will
formally conclude new treaty which will
authorize an actual if not a formal pro-
tectorate. This treaty should authorize
the American minister to exercise
silent, invisible supervision over the
administration of the government and give
MN the power to veto any radical unjust
or lmpracticable measures proposed by the
Cuban congress or the executive. 1t will
De equivalent to protectorate, although
1t may not have that name. This arrange
ment should be the price of the success of
the liberal party and it will be paid with
out hesitation. The liberal leaders should
be convinced that no election will be held
until they agree to it. Then the United
States should send down a minister-a wise
long-headed man and a sound lawyer-Who
is capable OF advising the government 1t
was great mistake to send such man
as Squire here as minister when the in
experienced people of Cuba required the
very best advice and counsel that could
possibly be given them in their first expert
ment in self-gOvernment.