That would be a form of high statesmanship. Force will be resisted. The American government must at least be polite, even if it is not sincere. I do not advocate annexation, but of this I am certain: there will be no permanent peace in Cuba unless the island is under our protection, and Cuba will not be all that Cuba can be unless it is under our flag. If that should come about there will soon be no lack of men or money for the island. But it will bring its color-line discord and its sugartariff problems. In one sense, American annexation had already begun. Our money became the standard of currency in Cuba. Reports from Santiago said that American money had practically driven out Spanish money. During the first week of our management of the Havana custom-house only about $500 in $50,000 was paid in American money for duties. In less than six weeks these figures were reversed, and the prediction was made that in less than a year American money would practically be the only money in general use in the island. As one goes through the island of Cuba nature presents to him one inspiring sight. It is the presence by thousands upon thousands of royal palm-trees. They are beautiful, majestic, useful, stalwart, commanding, and emblematic of integrity and lofty purpose. Why that tree was not used as a symbol on the flag of Cuba I cannot understand. I am sure that if Cuba had raised up among her people men as towering and as commanding as she has raised trees among her vegetation, no one need worry as to her future. But, alas! what country has ever done that? CHAPTER III HAVANA GRAVE AND GAY-GENERAL GARCIA'S FUNERAL, AND THE FIRST SUNDAY OF THE CARNIVAL T WO important events occurred practically within twenty-four hours in Havana in the early part of February that were so wide in their contrasts, and yet so typical of the temperament of the people, that their story should be told together in order to reveal their full significance. One was the funeral of General Calixto Garcia, and events immediately associated with it, and the other was the first Sunday of the first carnival under American rule. The funeral occurred on Saturday, February 11th, and the carnival was held the next day. The funeral was characterized by evidences of profound public mourning. A scene occurred also which I believe to have been of far-reaching importance, and it developed at once into an excitement such as I have never seen in any part of the United States. The carnival was characterized by such boisterousness and hilarity, and such at waste of flour at a time when thousands within the city and within easy reach of the city had no food except what was given out at public relief stations, that the American sentinels who paraded in solemn tread up and down the promenade of the Prado, and the hundreds of Americans who came out to see the show, looked on in open-eyed amazement. Both events were picturesque. The moment that the booming of the guns in salute announced the arrival of the remains of General Garcia, on an American man-of-war, thousands upon thousands of Cuban and American flags appeared at half-mast on flag-staffs and roofs and in arches and windows. In a twinkling it seemed as if the old pro-Spanish city of Havana had become a Cuban stronghold. It had been supposed that there was little sympathy there with the Cuban cause, and that although Spanish rule had ended, the people were still hostile to the idea of Cuban independence. The elaborate display of bunting intertwined with black, from the palatial residences of the rich and the hovels of the poor, seemed to indicate either a complete conversion of the people in patriotic sentiment, or a profound testimonial to the personal worth of General Garcia, or perhaps both. In an alleyway scarcely one hundred feet long, and lined with mere shanties, I counted no less than thirteen Cuban and American flags at half-mast-flags that must have varied in cost from twenty-five cents to five dollars. The city was stirred tremendously by the arrival of the remains. The city authorities had made arrangements for a public funeral, and for the body to lie in state two days in the Governor-General's palace. Far into the night the crowds swarmed about the palace in the effort to view the body. It was placed in the room. where the city council meets. The walls were lined with black with gilt spangles, and hundreds of artificial flower pieces, with purple and white and red ribbons and |