New-York tribune., 1908-03-30
CUBA'S NEW ERA.
ITS PROMISE OF SUCCESS
Gouernor Magoon's York for ths
Redemption of the Island.


by one of the chief political parties of Cuba z,,
week is a sharp reminder Of the beginning -
the end Of the second American occupatio, "a
that island and Of the near approach Of III. s.c-
ond attempt Of the Cuban people at sslf-gov.-,
mont This impending change IN the a-a,-.
of the island is regarded on both sides vsry AZ.
ferentIy from the nominally eorrespondtns
change I'm 1902 The Cubans are not nearly a,
eager for ii nor as enthusiastic over II as ths,
were six years ago. and II Is not 70 he denied
that many Americans are far less hopeful =,
the success of Cuban autonomy now than ths,
vvere when II was frst attempted. Yet TO nor 4.
few, thoughtful observers OF the insular sttraro,
both Of these changes of opinion seem mistaken
and there appears TO be considerably incr.asad
cause for Cuban exuItation IN the prosp>cr ~
restored autonomy and for American c0nff.ncs
in the success OF the experiment. and that is bA
cause of the remarkable work which has bean
and is being done by the Provisional Goveruo,
during the present American occupation.
The cables some time ago reported N. -.
traordinary character OF the public welcome
which was given to Mr. Hagoon on his return
to Havana from Washington. probably the noss
general. sincere, spontaneous and enthusiastic
welcome ever given to any man in the history
OF the island. That significant OF several
things. One was the personal regard which n
felt for the Governor as man. Another vas
the relief and qualification which were fsit a.
his return after il had been rUrnored and feared
that he would remain ar Washington and soma
one else would be sent in his place. A third was
the appreciation which people Of all classes IN
Cuba cherish of the great work which he a
doing for them. work as We shah see
unique in the history of the island II may 10
added that the toyousness OF the wslcone xas
however. tfrged with certain sadness. ai
perhaps some apprehension. for II was reaI1t
that he had come not TO stay long but 70 anisa
up his work and leave the island within year.
The fact is not 10 be concealed that many Gu
bans regret this prospect Some would Ike q,
have perpetual American Intervention. e Nr
Masoon or his counterpart could be kept at rs
Palace Many more think that the period Of ths
present Intervention should be prolonged tor
another year.
One OF the foremost public men In Cuba and
one whose appreciation Of all phases Of ths
Cuban situation is unsurpassed and whose t1dg-
rnsnt is Of rare excellence. expressed 70 M.
very strongly the other day his conviction that
the present intervention should be PROLONGED
until May 20. 1910. or more than a year Ion--a-
than Is now intended His argument was thar
the American Provisional Governor took N.
place Of Estrada Palma, who had resigned III.
Presidency early in his second term. he should
fill Mr.. Palma's place for the remainder OF tnat
term. to wit, TO the date named. instead Of -
firing before that time and thus compelling IN.
Cubans either TO change the time Of the be-
ginning Of Presidential terms or 70 elect a
President for only fraction OF a term rs
plan was for the municipal elections 10 be h.ld
first some time this spring or summer Next
the provincial elections should be held. next tau
or winter. Then. about the time now set for
American withdrawal, a new Cuban Congress
should be elected, and should hold It's first ses-
sion under Mr- Magoon's gove-no-ship It
would my friend urged, be an inestinably val
liable experience for the Cuban legislators 10
work under or in conjunction with the Ameri-
Executive Finally, in the fall OF next year
a President should be elected. who should take
Office on May 20. 1910 Undoubtedly there IS
much to be said in favor Of that programme.
and many will regret that IT has not been
adopted But since it has not been and appar-
emily Will not be, the next best thing IS being
done. The most careful and thorough prepara-
tions are being made for the change OF gov
ernnnent IN February OF next year.
The most necessary and essential work Of
preparatiOn-and the one the neglect OF which
was the chief cause OF the downfall of the sec
ond Palma administration and OF the American
intervention-is the making OF fundamental
laws for the carrying out OF constitutional! pro-
visions. That is the work with which Mr.
Magoon has been and is most occupied He IS
making the laws with the aid Of various COM
missions which ne has appointed for the purpose.
but practically he IS making them by execu-
tive order. just as IN Russia laws used TO %
made by the decree OF the Gar This is. Of
course. necessary. since there is no other law
making power in the island. and it would Do
fatal folly 10 repeat the blunder OF 1902 and
leave making 10 be done by the Congress
which is to be elected II was the lack Of laws
which caused the trouble Of two years ago. and
it Will be the provision OF laws which Wilt
anything wilI-save Cuba from q repetition O
that experience. For We must remember tha'
Cuba has down to TIE present been prooaoN
more destitute OF laws or OF laws made for and
adapted 20 its needs. than any other civilized
land in the world. In all the ages OF Spanis1
sovereignty its laws were made at Madrid am
they were simply the laws OF the Iberian PENN
sula, often grotesqueiy i1appltcable 70 u'
island. or II any were made specially for Cuos
they were for its oppression. During the nea-'
four years Of the former American occupants
and administration no permanent laws "ei'
made. The island was spIendidly adn1inis'e17a
in many respects. but il was administered 1N
der military law. and when the military s0'
ernor withdrew IL was lefr without code "
May. 1902. the native government came M
power under a constitution which needed NiA
laws to make it effective. II was the duty OK
the Cuban Congress to enact those laws. D1-
that obstreperoUs body stubborriy reiuseu
perform that duty. Again and again PTesi'sN
Palma urged upon it the necessity OF .eSisA
tion. but in vain. Then. as some laws WV.
positively necessary for the carrying on oi -
government. the President himself tried 70 H1-,