Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-15

is no larger, nor is Taft Although his
| trousers were creased and his gray
| clothing and cravat, matching the col
| or If his eyes, were up to date, the
| prairies were in his gait and the winds
| of the west were in his face. The aris-
| tocracy of nature, of herds in the hills.
| of growing corn and wheat in the
fields, is as distinctly characteristic as
the aristocracy of business or of the
| fashion. Gov. Magoon is farmer and
| villager developed into great lawyer,
| an able governor, and man of the
world; also a type of the adaptable
American who is prepared for any
| duty and is ready for any contingency.
He looked at me steadily, smoked
leisurely, and talked slowly as he an
swered my questions about Cuba and
himself.
What civil and military functions
are being performed in Havana and
elsewhere in the island by the United
States?" l asked.
What We Are Doing in Cuba
Before telling you what we are do
ing in Cuba, let me explain why we
are there. l find some misunderstand-
ing in regard to the matter. When the
government of Cuba finally realized
that it could not suppress the insur-
rection of 1906, it appealed for help to
the United states, as it had a right to
do under our treaty with that coun-
try. President Palma and his min
listers having resigned and Vice Pres
ident Copote having given up his of
flee, President Roosevelt designated
Secretary Taft to be provisional gov
ernor. / succeeded Mr.. Taft. The con-
stitution of Cuba provides for the APP
pointment of governor under certain
circumstances. Mr.. Taft and myself,
therefore, have been constitutional
governors-an election by the people
could not have strengthened our posi-
ton in office.
There being no government by the
Cubans themselves the United States
esta ablished a government and American
soldiers maintained order at the GEN.
-ters of population. The native chief
clerks in the seven executive depart
ments were made acting secretaries,
with seven of our own military officers
as advisers. They have served since
that time. Practically, the govern
ment is Cuban, but over it all is the
watchful care and direction of the
United States. We slightly decreased
our military force and now have $500
officers and men at twenty-seven sta
tions. They have made a Typographical
survey of the island, have mingled free
ly with the people, whom they have
helped in many ways and with whom
they are on the very best of terms. and
in all respects have been most eXem-
plary in their conduct. The insurrec-
tionists have given us no trouble. In
deed, might say that we have not fired
a gun since our arrival on the island.
1.-The United States Will withdraw
from Cuba before long, In the mean
time what will the natives do to pre-
pare themselves for government?
president Roosevelt has announced
that we shall remain no later than Feb
ruary 1909. think we shall get away,
however, as early as next December.
The Cubans will elect a president and
congress during that month, and
when the president is inaugurated our
services will come to,an end. A census
of the island is now being taken; 1t Is
really an enforced registration to as
certain how many CubanS are entitled
to vote When 1t is completed in the
spring, elections will be held at once
to choose officers for the towns and
cities and governors for the provinces.
Organizing a Workable Government
Meanwhile we are going on with the
task of organizing workable and mod
ern government. This country is re-
Lublic of states: Cuba is an impracti-
cable republic of municipalities and the
form must be changed. The constitu-
ton of Cuba defines the powers of the
president, ut the law has been con-
fused and sometimes ignored. We are
writing other laws, clearly prescribing
what the president may do and what
re may not do. We are also separating
the executive departments, finances
from agriculture. justice from public
works, and so on. that there may be
neither jealousy nor friction in the flu
ture. When a matter arises the law
win plainly indicate who is to consider