The Washington herald., 1908-01-14
CUBA WILL Be HELD
Provisional GOvernmentCOn-
tinueS for a Year.
Mr.. TAFT GIVES THE REASONS
Quotes letter sent 10 President, in
Which He Makes known in Detail
Troop Not to he Withdrawn Until
March or April of Next Year.

Troop Not To Be Withdrawn Until
March or April of Next Year.
In letter to President Roosevelt trans
mitting the annual report Of Charles Z.
MagOOn, provisional governor OF Cuba,
Secretary of War Taft says the present
provisional government in Cuba will be
continued until March or April Of next
year
The taking Of the census. which il now
going on, he says, will not be completed
until April or May Of this year, and the
local elections viii have to be postponed
until June
The Presidential elections will probably
take place next December, and the in
staliauon Of the President and Congress
and the turning over Of the island 70 the
new government viii occur some time in
April or May Of 1909
The Secretary's Letter.
The text Of the secretary's letter OF
transmittal follows:
war B.r-rtment
Washington D. c. Jan l3 1903
NJ Dear Mr.. President: herewith submit the
report of Hon. Charles +. Magoon the provisional
governor appointed hy son under the Platt amend
ment n The Cuhan treaty temporarily 20 admin
ister the affairs # the republic n Cuba. The re-
port Is most interesting one and shows the con-
ditiCn In Cuba 70 be encouraging
Gov. Magoon has conducted matters IN most
cesr-headed and tactful way, and with conspicuous
s1ccess. he las carried on his shoulders the whole
burden ard responsibility of an extensive govern
lEent. H has Fad labor troubles. which. through
his conGlistOy hut impartial attitude have been
brought 10 an end. n shas dealt with the two
parties iu such way that when visited the island
IN April II last year the representatives. 81 all q
the parties virtually agreed upon a programme set
forth in letter which. after submitting 1t % you
foT approval. I wrote TO Gov Mag0on Tor publics-
toH. This directed
First taking q an electoral census Of the
island
second-Ths testing # the tranquility q ths
island and the capacity for the exercise of p0-
itica franchise. without disturbances, b. the hold
Ing 0i municipal and provincial elections.
fhiTd-After a period Earyins from three 70 six
months the holding II CongTessi7nal Senatorial,
and The Presidential election.
Fourth-The delay of four months. IN order 70
comply with the constitution for the completion of
the Presidential election and the Inhalation q tbs
President and Congress
It vas hoped by some that the census might BE-
completed in September last. | did not think 60,
and I am net a. all surprised to learn that the
viii not he until April May This vii post
p0ns the local elections until June the Presidential
election until Decemhr end the installation Of ths
President ard Congress and the turning q
the island until about March or April q 1903. This
Is In compliance with oGT promise when We
sImed Temporary c1ntrol q CUta, and IT seems u
me that we ought % allow nothing 70 interfere
with carEiug ont that promise There are IN
pCrtaut interests that would be glad 70 delay
stay there for years but good faith and good police
both IN sle .sr-frn z 81 fs1r A.
time appointed. Sincerely yours.
WILLIAM 4. TAFT.
The economic condition of Cuba. the
report says, is excellent
Island Manufactures.
The manufactures of the island. ss.
peeiaUy those which consume natural
products. are in a prosperous condi-
tion. and are rapidly expanding in ca
pacity and output The iron industry
shows remarkable advancement. New
deposits have been discovered and are
being developed. Foreign and domes-
tic commerce and trade for the past
year show a gratifying increase over
previous years
On the date Of the establishment or
the provisional government Septem-
Der %, 1905, there was S13,695,539 in
the Cuban treasury During the period
from September %. 1906, 10 October 81.
1907. the receipts from all sources were
Si1,242,024 making q total revenue OF
S54 s67. .554 The expenditures from
September %. 1905, 10 October 81, 1907,
amounted to s3a6lS.2S0 leaving a bal
ance in the treasury on October 81 last
Of $15.254.333
The necessity for municipal improve
ments. Gov. MagOOn says. is great It
is reasonable to estimate that 1t will
take not less than $75.000.000 10 provide
the municipalities Of Cuba with the
public Improvements desired and need
ed By the inhabitants. There Is no
banking law in Cuba. the report con-
tinues. and all banks are private in
stitutiOns.
Cuban planters. Gov. Magoon reports.
have suggested the establishment OF
an agricultural bank along the lines OF
the Mexican bank or the agricultural
bank provided for in the recent law OF
Credit FoncieT Of France, The indus
trial situation in Cuba during the past
year has been complicated by many
strikes. the most important Of which
was the strike Of the cigarmakers.
The cost of the revolution of August,
1905. calculated to October 81, 1907,
amounted TO $S,634116. In addition to
this amount there must be added the
cost of transportation and maintenance
of the American army in Cuba.
Trouble with Police.
Discussing the collision between the
Cuban police Of Santiago and seamen
from the cruiser Tacoma on April 80.
1907 the report says.
The affair was probably caused by
the intOxiegtiOn Of the American sea
men. and the fear OF the local police
in an encounter with men much larger
in stature and OF greater bodily
strength. While on the part of the
police it may indicate an inclination
to too free use Of their weapons, II is
TO be explained by a lack Of Judgment
on their part or a lack OF more care
ful training.
1T does not appear in any OF the
reports that the American seamen used
weapons of any kind and the prompt
action of the local authorities in sus-
pending and holding for trial the po-
lieemen engaged in this quarrel shows
4 lively desire to preserve peace and
harmony"