The Washington herald., 1914-03-22
CUBA HAS MADE
RAPID STRIDES
Islands Prosperity Is Great
Since Intervention by.
United States
AWAKENING IS GENERAL
Consul at Baltimore Tells of Sanitary
Impre-nents and Immense
Growth of Commerce.

ity of two countries. IN q ieS-As
before the Foreign Commerce Associa-
tion Caesar A. Barrenco, Cuban Consul
at Baltimore, gave some glimpses. as fol-
lows:
"Arued intervention of the United
States in 1898 that came to the aid OF nay
countrymen terminated the unequal STRIFE
as a result of which Spain lost what she
had eft of her colonial empires, upon
whose domains once the sun never set.
The republic of Cuba was proclaimed
May %, 1902
.sThe Cuban constitution was drafted
by the most illustrious men Of my coun-
try, representing the various political ten
denotes, and rests on Democratic prin-
ciples and absolutely universal suffrage.
1t provides for compulsory and free pri-
mary education and free administration
of Justice. In it the doctrines Of the rep
resentative system are embodied, the
trainers of the constitution having judg-
ed them adequate to the condition OF the
nation for the attainment of true liberty,
and from the very moment it was put
into effect the former subjects of Spain.
my country, demonstrated that their civic
spirit and their right to be Independent
are in harmony with this rapid and glor-
ious evolution
sho"Aue oooo
Thirteen years have elapsed since the
first American intervention in the island,
an occupat !. on having for its sole purpose
the guidance of my people to a staple
government. During those years you will
agree with me that my countrymen have
shown commendable examples of good
Judgment, tenacity and self-control. Many
were the prophecies of those who had no
faith in the Cuban character orr who
judged it by superficial appearances that
the island would become a hotbed of dis
tur.ances and that the patriots who had
fought so heroically would constitute
themselves in maraudinS bands, menac-
ing life and property in the island. All
these predictions turned out to be false.
My countrymen are peaceful and docile,
disposed to work and improve their So
cial condition. though determined to de-
fend their rights energetically. if they be-
lieve they are tramped upon. They pre-
fer peace to war and order to revolution,
and owing to this patriotic spirit there is
absolutely no danger that they will fol-
low the lead of anyone intending to start
revolution against the legitimate and
constituted government, or TO snatch the
supreme power by means of assault and
coup d'etat. Much has been done during
the thirteen years OF our entry into ma
tional life.
Awakening Is Notable.
Our sanitary conditions have improved
wonderfully and today we can say with
pride that We have a country as healthy
as any in the world. Special attention
has been given to our public instructions
and in the most remote towns in my
country public schools have been estab-
lished with competent Cuban and Ameri-
can teachers Our government depart
ments have been organized on the same
lines as your Federal departments in
Washington. Our army has been organ
lied with sufficient officers and men. hav-
ing American army officers as instruc-
tors. Agriculture has awakened from
the years of decay, due to the war of in
dependence. The tobacco and sugar crops
will be the largest this year than ever
before in the history of the island Our
cigar factories are hives of industries,
where thousands of those faithful lovers
of their land, the cigarmakers, are add
ing 10 the wealth of Cuba. Peace and
happiness rcigns over the republic, and
following your advice. following your ex-
celent example. under the Presidency of
Gen. Monocal, who has the whole interest
Of his country at heart, We are destined
10 become. from a commercial stand
point. the greatest republic in Latin
America.
Believe in United states.
IF all countries in America believe in
the United States the republic of Cuba
above all has confidence in you. We be-
lieve in you, because the helping hand
of your generous people was extended to
us in our struggle for freedom. You did
not go there to enslave us. neither to
make us your dependency, but you pro-
claimed to the whole world that you did
not expect TO remain in the island.
No. We did not come here to conouer;
we came to aid in giving liberty and indie
pendence to Cuba and her heroic people,
You kept your word and Cuba became
independent and started her new govern
ment with all hope of success. She has
made her mistakes. she has had her mis-
steps. but the work has been done and
the United States retaining control of the
island with the consent of my people
when the child Cuba suffered a fall to lift
il from the ground and teach it to walk
This is what you have done, gentlemen
and though your ships may carry the
greath wealth of this country all over
the world. make peaceful conuuests
everywhere. the everlasting glory of the
United States will be that she not only
gave birth to a new nation, Cuba. her
and become, not the jewel OF an imperial
crown, but the proud daughter of her
love.
Blood and Prayers Aided.
You helped Cuba with your blood; Won
helped her with your treasures; your
women helped her with their prayers.
The best way to help Cuba is to make
her prosperous, and prosperity can only
come with closer friendly and CONNER
cial relations with the United States. Let
me tell you, gentlemen. that the repub-
lie of Cuba, with little over 100000 in
habitants, has total commerce with
your country, which represents the large
sum OF SlSO0oo,0OO; the reciprocity treaty
which was made nine years ago and
which continued in force, made our i'm
portations to this country Increase about
30 per cent but made your importations
to the island increase about 50 Der cent.
and today OF the total commerce to Cuba
over 80 per cent comes from the United
States.
The years of revolution in my country
were a time OF industrial and social dis
tress. From an import trade Of probably
$Jo.oOo,90o year the foreign purchases of
the island dropped to about one-third of
that sum. With political stability fairly
assured by American occupation January
j, 1883. there came speedy recovery. and
the imports for the six years, 1893 to 1904.
inclusive, show an average yearly value
Of S10.WoO0o. Then came a further in
crease The figures for 1913 are not yet
available, but your import trade for the
seven years. 1906 to 1919 shows an avor-