Durango semi-weekly herald., 1907-03-28
cusAs PEACE RENT
BY POLITICAL FIoHTs
BY William &. Curtis. Correspondent
~ tha Chfoao< Dooord uaro1d

BY POLITICAL FI0HTs.
By William e. Curtis, Correspondent
Of the Chicago Record-Herald.
Havana, Mar. 1.-THE recent revo-
luton In Cuba, which over threw the
existing government and compelled
the United States to intervene for the
restoration OF peace. was purely DO.
litical. II was organized by politi-
clans to obtain control OF the Offices,
particularly the treasury department,
the customs houses and other sources
OF revenue. It terminated an incompe-
tent but honest government, compared
with those under Spanish domination
which preceded independence, but
that was not q matter OF Importance
to the leaders of the liberal party,
who. II they had succeeded In acquir-
ing power, would doubtless have prov
en- more incompetent and more cor
rupt than the men they threw out of
office.
Everybody agrees that President
Palma was an honest man and that he
endeavored to have an honest govern
ment. He did everything he could to
prevent grating, yet there we're sew
eral big steals In his administration.
Shortly before his overthrow his sec
retary of the interior sold consid-
cradle part OF the ground of the arsenal
at the rate of 80 a square meter to
the Havana Central railroad, when
land outside the walls on the next
block was selling for $40 n square
meter, and. what is worse, one of the
most valuable and convenient sites
for public purposes was diminished In
area, made difficult Of access, and the
extension Of its facilities was perma-
nently prevented.
The arsenal was established In 1740.
The grounds covered an area of 1884,
600 square meters. which Is several
acres, fronting upon the bay. They
have been repeated attempts to obtain
1t for business purposes because 1t
Is one Of the most valuable and con-
venient sites in the city. The Havana
Central railroad has Its passenger sta
tlon and freight warehouses near by,
and needed more room for both pur-
which have given rise to great deal
OF scandal, 1t was able to secure 49,
900 square meters of the arsenal
ground adjoining It's own land, for
which It paid no money at all. not one
dollar. but In exchange for the land
agreed to erect certain wharves and
sheds for the use OF the government
The cost OF these made the price OF
land $9 quarter meter. This trade
was made by the railway commission
without the authority OF congress,
without the approval of the president.
under a law which gives the COM
mission the right to condemn and as
sign for railway purposes any public
or private property that may be neces-
sary for the public utility. Under
this extraordinary right OF eminent
domain the railway commission can
seize the palace Of the governor gen.
eral or any fortification, of the head
quarters OF the city government, and
give them to railway company, II
they consider it necessary to promote
the public convenience in the way OF
transportation privileges.
There have been several other sim
liar deals. The Palma government
got rid of large amount of valuable
public property and purchased private
buildings and land at prices which
were absurd and unreasonable. II
did many other things that were dis
honest and doubtless involved a great
deal OF corruption, but, as have said
compared with the Spanish regime
when the favorites of the king, the
prime minister and the minister oil
colonies were sent here for the ex
press purpose OF acquiring fortunes al
the expense of the public, the firs,
republican government OF Cuba was
honest.
President Palma went out OF office
a. poor as he went in. He had beer
O school teacher all his life. At the
village OF Pleasant Valley, Westches
ter county. New York, he had for near
ly a quarter of century been con
Quoting private school, which wal
almost exclusively patronized by Gu
bans. He has educated thousands o.
Cuban youths, and many of the mos
prominent citizens OF the republic to
day were his pupils and regard hin
with respect and affection. He lived
very simple life in the old palace
Mrs. Palma was quiet, modest, re
firing woman, with no love for societ,
or ambition to shine. and they enter
tanned very little. When his resig
nation took effect they packed theil
modest wardrobes and their few be
longings and removed to an ancestral
estate near Manganillia in the prov
ince of Santiago. from which he was
driven into exile after one OF the
revolutions against Spain In the '7Os
He will not return to the United
States. He will remain there. His
estate has been In ruins for many
years, He is now clearing 1t up and
will attempt to cultivate 1t. Estrada
Palma has no enemies. Everybody re-
epects him. The worst they say ia
that he is q weak man; but he showed
= great deal OF courage and determine
ton In forcing Intervention by the
United States In order to prevent this
government from falling into the
hands Of reckless adventures.
y. l~t - H..