Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-01-26

Conditions in Cuba must always De OF
interest to the people of the United
States. We went to an expensive war with
Spain on behalf of the people Of this
beautiful Island-a people who have
suffered much oppression, and who new
ertheless have triumphed over many ad-
versities. The American people without
respect to their party Affiliations united
as one man to support that costly war
and however adventures (political and
commercial adventurers) may have oeen
moved by sinister and selfish purposes,
the people of our country as whole
were inspired by the most unselfish ana
thropically concerned for the freedom and
benevolent motives; they were phliah-
prosperity of the Cuban people.
Despite all the plumbers and wrongs
that have transpired since Cuba was de-
livered from the oppressive yoke OF
Spain, the welfare of the Island has been
promoted by our Intervention on its be-
half The Cubans are on the highway
of progress, and they will steadily ad-
vance in the future. Since the Spanish
American war have made thirteen visits
to the Island, and 1 have noted with
each successive visit marked evidences OF
Improvement may ennumerate some OIL
the things which 1 have observed
The sanitary conditions Of Cuba have
healthier city than Atlanta;-its health
record is better than a number Of our
American cities. Yet / remember that
when first saw the place its sanitation
was so bad that a stranger who came
within its gates took his life in his
hands.
The squalor which in former days was
in evidence on all sides has nearly dis
appeared. OF course there are now many
poor and improvident people in Cuba, but
the abject poverty which was once so
prevalent is not now seen. Street beggars
in Cuban cities are not more numerous
than in many American cities Of like
size. And this diminution of want has oc-
CURED during years of bad crops and
period of agricultural depression. If the
seasons had been more favorable / feel
sure conditions of every sort would have
been even better by this time. This year
the seasons have been good, and the
crops are excellent. The yield OF cane
and tobacco promises to be extraordinary.
This Of course will minister to popular
contentment, and the new government
will therefore start with this great ad-
vantage in favour of its success.
From what I can hear and see here
am unable to predict with confidence
what may be the outcome of this second
experiment in self-government. The
men who write for American papers cock
sure predictions of failure upon the part
of the new government constantly over
look facts which give some hope OF
stability; while others who prophesy
smooth things only for the Island equally
ignore present and possible periis 1t is
well to take note of all the facts In
the case.
AS has been intimated the decreased
poverty and the good crops will promote
contentment and quiet among the peo-
pie. The political agitators are doubt
less as numerous as ever; but they can
do nothing by themselves aloneA They
can not carry their schemes into effect
In the absence of popular distress and
discomfort In the insurrectton of 1906
they appealed successfully to the unrest
IN the tobacco-growing province of Pinar
del Rio, where there had been failure
of crops for several years in succession,
To other causes of discomfort in the
Santa Clara province also they appeal
ed successfully. That kind of an appeal
will not now be so easy.
Again the intervention of the United
States for the pacification of the Island
has not failed of its effect on the Cuban
mind. All parties now have far clearer
conception of what will be done in case
disorder again breaks out. The con-
seriousness of the nearness and power and
purpose of the American government has
been brought nome to the people OF
Cuba most wildly.
Since the completion of the Florida
East Coast Railroad from Jacksonville
to knights Key "a marvellous piece OF
engineering) Cuba is nearer the United
States than ever before. A thousand pac-
flying forces are pouring into Cuban
life from the closer contact with the
American people which daily comes TO
pass.
These and other things give ground to
hope that the new government may be
stable and enjoy good measure of sue
cess.
On the other hand there are facts
which give rise to misgivings as to the
outcome.
The new government is a coalition
government-and in all lands and times
coalitions are VIGOROUSLY unreliable.
The Liberal party, which is the party in
power is composed of two factions call
ed after the names Of their respective
leaders, Miguelistas and Zayistas. The
leader of the former is the president
elect of the Republic and the leader OF
tn latter is the vice-president These
factions contend with each other in the
Congress, and of course the representa-
tives of the defeated party Of the Con-
servatives sit by to take advantage Of
the strife existing between the rival fac
lions of the Liberal Party. These con-
ditions furnish a fine chance for a row
when the distribution of the offices has
fairly begun.
If Cuba had a great overshadowing
leader capable of mastering these con-