The Washington times., 1908-01-13
Governor MagoOn Says
Native President viii
Assume His Duties
in 1909.
Report Shows Many I'M
provementS on the IS
land During ProviS-
iOnal Government.

The provisional government in Cuba
will be continued until March or April
OF next year The taking OF the census.
which Is now in progress. says Score
tary Taft. viii not be completed until
April or May Of this year. and the local
elections viii have 10 be postponed until
June
The presidential election viii take
place next December, and the instaIIa-
tion of the President and Of the con-
gress ana the turning over Of the island
10 the new government will take place
some time in April or May 1909.
These statements with reference to
the regency Of the United States over
Cuba are contained in a letter written
by Secretary Taft to the President
transmitting the annual report Of
Charles T.. Magoon, provisional COVER
nor OF Cuba.
Sent to Congress.
The report was sent TO Congress to-
day The Secretary's letter Of trans
initial says:
Governor Nagoon mas conducted
matters in a most clear-headed and
tactfuI way, and with conspicuous sue
cess. He has carried on his shoulders
the whole burden and responsibility of
an extensive government He has had
labor troubles, which. through his con-
ciliatory but impartial attitude, have
been brought to an end. He has dealt
with the two parties in such "a way that
when 1 visited the island in April Of
last year the representative Of all Of
the parties virtually agreed upon a pro-
gram set forth in a letter, which, after
submitting il to you for approval. 1
wrote 10 Governor Magoon for publica-
ton. This directed:
"F'irst-The taking Of an electoral
census of the island.
'SeCund-The testing OF the tranquil
Hty of the island and the capacity for
the exercise Of political franchise, with
out disturbance, by the holding Of mu-
niCiDal and provincial elections.
'Third-After period varying from
three TO six months the holding of a
congressional, senatorial, and the presi-
Dental election.
FOurth-The delay of four months. in
order 20 comply with the Constitution,
for the completion of the presidential
election and the installation of the
President and Congress"
Increase in Commerce.
Economic conditions in Cuba are ex-
ceuent, according to the governors re-
port, but the necessity for municipal i'm
prOvements IS very great. Foreign and
domestic commerce and trade shows a
marked increase for the past year On
the date of the establishment Of the
provisional government September y,
1905, there was S13,525,5g9 in the CUBAN
treasury. From that date TO October 81.
1917, the receipts from all sources were
S4l.2i2624, making total revenue Of
Sd. SCI. .564.
Speaking Of the necessity for mu-
nicipal Improvement Governor MagOOn
says the expenditure Of $-5O50Gl0 is
necessary to provide the municipalities
of Cuba with the necessary improve
nents. There is no banking law in the
island, and all banks are private insti-
tutiOns. Cuban planters have suggested
the establishment of an agricultural
bank along the lines OF the bank re-
Gently established by the Philippine
Commission. The Industrial situation
says the governor, was during the past
year complicated by many strikes, the
most important of which was that of
the cigar makers.
In discussing the collision between the
Cuban police Of Santiago and sailors
from the cruiser Tacoma, in April last
Governor MagOOn says the disturbance
was probably caused by the intOXication
Of the American seamen, and an in
ClinatiOu on the part oi the four police
men 10 too free use of their weapons
in combat with men physically larger.