Last week the Times correspondent at Havana threw some light
on the methods by which the American Government are patiently trying to raise the standard of administration in Cuba. The-Cuban Republic is an independent State, having its Ministers in foreign capitals and enjoying membership of the League of Nations. Nevertheless, the American Minister at Havana possesses and exercises the right of calling attention to abuses which must be remedied. In the past three months the Minister, General Crowder, addressed ten Notes to President Zayas, complaining of excessive or irregular expenditure, of corruption and waste in the Civil Service, and of the illegal disfranchisement of many citizens. The Cuban Ministry and the high officials are said to have resigned as a consequence of these complaints, which cannot be ignored lest America should once again be forced, as in the years 1906-1909, to assume direct control of Cuban affairs. The theorists who think " self-determination " a panacea may be distressed at America's refusal to let Cuba deteriorate into a second Mexico or Guatemala. But the benevolent control exercised from Washington is unquestion- ably good for the Cubans and for all who have dealings with them.
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