Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-13
HIS DIFFICULT TASK
Pacification of Cuba by Gov.
ernor General Magoon.
POPULAR CONFIDENCE WON
Importance Attached to the Social
Campaign.
CREDIT DUE TO MRS. A. E. BATES
Factions Favorable and Hostile to the
Presence of the Americans-O1d
Reforms Re-Esta blished.
CREDIT DUE TO MRS. A. E. BATES


BY WILLIAM E. CURTIS.
Special Correspondence The Star and the Chicago
Record Herald.
HAVANA, March 8, 1907.
Governor General Magoon is performing
his very delicate and difficult task of pa
cification from a stately building in the
lower part of the city of Havana which for
generations was the residence of the Span
ish captain general. and. since the republic,
the residence of President Palma. In some
respects it is the most notable building in
the city. and the proportions of its state re-
ception rooms and other apartments are
very much admired. The entrance Is Of
richly carved marble under a portico facing
the Plaza de Armas, which was one of the
most beautiful squares until the hurricane
that swept Havana last October nearly de-
stroyed the ancient trees. Within few
days the department of public works
Strengthened them up. got their roots back
into the soil again, trimmed their dilapi-
dated branches, and they have since taken
on a new lease of life and promise to re-
cover their former beauty.
Similar destruction occurred in every part
of the city. The palms, the cocoanut trees
and palmettos were blown to pieces, but
they are very tenacious OF life and WITHIN
few years will be as attractive as ever.
The palace couples a full block and sur
rounds large patio in the center or which
Is q statue of Columbus erected many years
ago. rising from masses of tropical flowers
and foliage plants The interior rooms open
upon a wide gallery which looks upon TINS
patio and offer a large area for the enter
tainment of guests. The lower floor Is oc-
cupied by the Offices Of the mayor ana
other city officials and contains the cham
Der of the ayuntamiento. or city council
The governor generals office ana living
rooms. on the third floor. are reach d by
stately marble stairways. The state apart
ments have been refurnished in North
American style since independence, but the
decorations remain as they were during the
Spanish regime and the coat-of-arms OF
CASTLE and Leon still appears oyer the
main entrance and in several other conspic-
uous places.
II was in this palace that Lieut.. Gen.
Castellanos, on January 1. 1893, yielded the
last yestige of authority and the last inch
of territory which the Spaniards heid on
this side of the Atlantic. and closed for
ever the history of Spain so far as IL re-
lates to the American hemisphere. The
Spanish crown once dominated the greater
part of three continents. which were dis
covered under its auspices, rut every root
has been forfeited as penalty OF mis-
government The last act of relinqulsh-
ment as the late Gen. Ludlow reported to
the Secretary of War. was conducted with
quiet dignity, but was profoundly pathetic:
On the Goth of May, 1902, three years ana
Ave months later in the same room, the
authority over Cuba was reiinquished by
the United States to Estrada Palma, the
newly elected president of the republic. the
American flag was lowered from the stan
on the roof OF the palace. and the flag OF
Cuba was raised in its place.
On the 10Th Of September. 1906. the Cuban
president quietly withdrew and another
American governor general assumed au-
tv hnt
far as appearances go. no one would ever
suspect that there had been change or
government. II stranger from New
Zealand should arrive in Havana he would
never suspect that the Cubans were not
still conducting their own government and
were not perfectly satisfied with the Sit
uation.
Social Success Of Mrs. Bates.
Being a bachelor and the social situation
being very important. as in all Latin coun-
tries, Judge Magoon invited Gen. and Mrs.
Alfred E. Bates of Washington to spend
the winter In Havana as his guests, and
Mrs Bates has been conducting social
campaign which has had a most important
effect in carrying out the Cancellation pro-
gram. 1t has been very delicate duty,
because the social situation here Is quite
as complicated as the political situation.
The Cuban population Is divided into two
factions, favorable and unfavorable to the
ish element, which composes the aristoc-
racy and owns the greater part OF the
wealth. does not mix with either, while
other foreign colonies are composed or
wide variety of humankind, each of which
considers itself entitled to especial dis
tinction. No one could have guided the
social campaign more skillfully than Mrs.
Bates She has peculiar qualifications for
science. courage tact and a thorough
knowledge of etiquette. as we'll as OF hu-
man nature, all of which was required to
an unusual extent IN arranging the notable
series of entertainments, dinners. recep-
tions. teas and other assemblies that have
delighted Havana. 1t Is impossible to de-
termine the exact share of influence Mrs.
Bates has exercised in bringing about the
present popularity of the provisional gov
eminent and In securing the confidence 1t
now commands from the people of Cuba,
but when the history of the Intervention
Is written she Is entitled to a great deal
of credit.
The American Legation.
Mr. Edwin V. Morgan. our minister. has
very little to do in the way of official bust
ness at present. but the legation Is kept
up as usual for the qualification Of the
Cuban people. Everything remains exact
ly as it was under President Palma so far
as the public at large are concerned. Mr..
Morgan Is extremely popular with the Gu
''muy simpatico''-and his generous hospi-
tality has contributed largely to console
the native element The legation Offices
are on the Malecon a splendid new street
which faces the ocean. where he Is assisted
by Mr. Charles g. Wilson. first secretary,
and Mr.. Fred Morris bearing. as second
secretary. Mr.. Morgan resides in tho
suburb Of Mariana, ten miles west Of the
city. where many handsome villas are &C.
cupied as summer residences by the wealthy
people OF Havana. 1t Is surrounded by
sugar. pineapple and tobacco plantations
and groves of oranges. mangoes. cocoanuts
and other tropical fruits. trolley line
now carries the tourist out to view one
of the most typical scenes OF tropic life
in Cuba. and famous banyan tree which
covers several acres and Is almost as large
as that famous one In the botanical gar
dens at Calcutta. Mr.. Morgan also being
bachelor. like Gov. Magoon. persuaded
his aunt. Mrs. Delafeld. to come from
New York to preside over the legation, and
has had houseful of guests all winter.
Secretary Taft and Assistant Secretary
Bacon lived with him when they were down
here pac.fying the country. 1t was a very
convenient place for them to conduct their
negotiations. because 1900 or 5000 armed
tpS,