Evening star., 1909-03-08
REGARDED AS INSULT
Selection of New Cuban Min
lister to This Country.
NO INQUIRY MADE FIRST
Carlos Garcia Violent in His Anti
Americanism.
QUESADA WAS TOO FRIENDLY
Some Bad Appointments by New In
sular Government-Pro
of Trouble Before Long.
NO INQUIRY MADE FIRST
QUESADA WAS TOO FRIENDLY
~ WILLIAM r. CURTIS

~ WILLIAM r. CURTIS.
Written for The Star and the Chicago Record
Herald.
People who are most familiar with the
political situation in Cuba have gener-
ally allowed the new government six
months ot peace. but ii seems to be look
Ing for trouble already. and may be able
TO find it before that time has expired.
The situation is already rather intense,
and the most alarming symptom is the
attitude of the liberal leaders toward this
country.
The nomination of Carlos Garcia Velez
to be minister to Washington is an in
suit to this government and should be
resented. 1t Is customary among civil
lied nations to inquire whether a person
selected for a diplomatic post is accept
able to the government to which it is pro-
posed to send him, and quite frequently
objection is made on one ground OR an
other. In this case, however, the Cuban
government. either from ignorance
from intention, has neglected that for
mality, and Gen. Garcia (the name Nelez
is that of his mothers family has been
nominated by the President and con-
f1rmed by the Cuban senate and no ques-
tions asked. The newspapers say that
he will reach Washington about March
To- President Taft and Secretary Bacon
learned all about Gen. Garcia when they
went to Havana in 1906 to take charge of
things at the time President Palmas au-
thorty was overthrown, but when Sec
retary Bacon was asked if he intended to
object to the appointment he said he
would leave the matter open for his sue
ceSsor to decide, because the latter would
have to deal with Garcia instead of him
self. Secretary Knox says that he has
given the matter no consideration.
Violent Anti-American.
Carlos Garcia is one Of the most violent
anti-Americans in Cuba, and has never
attempted to conceal his contempt and
hatred for our government. He is the
younger of two sons of the last Gen. Ca
liXo Garcia, the ablest of the revolution
airy leaders in the last and successful rev.
olution against Spain. His eldest brother.
Justo Garcia Nelez, is minister of foreign
affairs in the cabinet of President Gomez,
and while he also has the reputation of
being strongly anti-American. he is cred
| tied with greater ability and discretion
and bears Il better reputation than his
| brother.
| President Gomez did not appoint Carlos
Garcia minister to the United States from
choice. but from necessity. The two
| brothers notified him and publicly an
nounced several weeks ago that If Carlos
was not given this office they would
| make trouble for the administration, and
the newspaper dispa tcheS say that many
| think President Gomez missed a great op-
portunity to show himself n strong and
determined executive by taking the broth
| ers at their word and throwing them into
prison for showing the first signs OF re-
| bellion." But Gomez is evidently afraid Of
| them, and submitted to their demands,
which has given decided encouragement to
| other swashbucklers by establishing a
precedent that offices and honors may be
| secured by threats.
Why Quesada Was Transferred.
| Gonzalo de Quesada, who has repre-
sented the Cuban republic at Washington
| ever since its independence. and even
when it was an inspiration rather than
a fact, was transferred to Spain because
| lie is considered too good a friend OF
| the United States. He is accused Of hav-
| ing had too intimate relations with Pres
| ident Roosevelt, Secretary Root. Mr.. Taft
and leading members of the Senate and
| House of Representatives. The anti
| American element i'll Cuba hates him be-
cause he has the rspect and confidence
| of Washington, and they want somebody
here who is unfrendly to our govern
|
Is that kind of man, and he is eX-
| pected to make Uncle Sam tremble in
! his boots Immediately upon his arrival.
1t may be true that Mr.. Quesada Is
childhood he has given all his life and
| all his talents to the service of his
| country. He was the representative of
the Cuban junta in Washington long be-
fore the war broke out. and the inter
| vention of the United States. which led
to the independence of the island, was
| In a great measure due to his representa-
tions and his influence.
| No citizen OF Cuba has a wider ac-
| quaintance among public men, In financial
| lie generally and he is universally ad-
| mired and respected. His relations with
| Judge Taft have been intimate ever since
| the latter has been in the cabinet, and the
| new President has great confidence in his
| judgment and discretion, just as Pres
| ident Roosevelt had While it Is none of
| our business whom the President Of Cuba
| selects as his representative here, he
] could not find better man than Quesada
| or d worse one than Carlos Garcia Velez
| Mr.. Quesada declined to accept the lega-
| tion at Madrid, and was then offered the
| legation at Paris, which he also declined
| for the same reasOn-that he desires to
| educate his children in the United States.
| They are just now of an age when they
will be most influenced in thought and
| character by their environment and asso-
| Cuban diplomatic service, and will enga ge
| in the practice of law in Washington and
| New York.
Career Of New Minister
Gen. Garcia was educated in New York
city while his father was an exile, and
| studied dentistry. When the elder Garcia
| was given official position under the
government Of Spain the son practiced In
! Madrid, and afterward In Cuba. During
the war for independence he was a. nomi-
nal brisadier general, but never COM
manded brigade, and did not see much
fighting. After the independence of Cuba
was established President Palma ap.
pointed him minister to Mexico as rec
ognition of the patriotic services OF his
family: but he was recalled from that
post. 1t has been frequently asserted that
Mexico requested his recall, but that is
untrue At least there was no official
communication Of the kind. President
Diaz might have conveyed an intimation
to Havana privately, but he did not do sc
officially. Garcia, however, was notorious
; at the Mexican capital for qualities and
conduct which will not increase his infiu-
ence or his standing at Washington.
President Taft and Secretary Knox may
decide to receive him on probation, and
say nothing about his record: but he will
not meet with very cordial reception
either by the administration or by the
members of the diplomatic corps.