Problems Fob Cuba To Face

   Santiago de Cuba, Nov. 8.- The main problem to be faced by the province of Santiago, in fact by the entire island of Cuba in its effort to throw off the lethargy of centuries, are those which to a greater or lesser degree afflict all communities- namely, capital and labor. With regard to the first there are a very large number of people only desiring an opportunity to invest in the island as soon as a settled form of government is decided upon, but who naturally, under present conditions - knowing nothing regarding the future safeguards to property or the amount of taxes to be levied - hesitate to risk their money. In this province alone it is estimated that there are fully $20,000,000 only waiting for an assured form of government to be at once invested in business enterprises.

    A still greater problem to be solved is the labor question, for even the existing industries are crippled for want of hands, this particularly to the mines. The pay is from 75 cents a day upward, or about the same as paid in the phosphate mines of Florida, and the mines will board the laborers at 25 cent a day. It may be taken as an established fact that the present generation of Cubans will never become miners. They are far too enervated and indolent, and the negro race here finds the means of a lazy subsistence too easily at hand to have any incentive to labor.

    The Cuban may do a little light work in the shade; he may make a few cigars, or he may even condescend to do a little housework--- if you do not expect too much in the way of cleaning- but what he prefers is to put on a few stars, a huge pair of boots, enormous spurs and a hat something wondrous to behold, mount an easy going Cuban pony and parade the principal streets. Give this to the Cuban, white or colored, and you have him as pleased as a chid with a new toy, as proud as a peacock, and about as sensible as an ostrich. In Santiago there is another element adding to the labor troubles, namely, the Jamaica negro, who is one degree worse than his Cuban brother in the matter of industry. There are over 2,000 of his type here, all wanting jobs as waiters, stewards, valets or something equally easy; but as to the real work of the island--- the digging. mining and labor that will bring sweat to a man's brow, the Jamaica negro wants none of it.