Cuba Is Going Wrong

Washington, Oct. 10.- The situation as to Cuba is such at present as to give officials here great concern. It is feared that Cuba is drifting away and evidence is multiplied day by day to mark the growth of a spirit of indifference toward the cultivation of friendly commercial relations with the United States that almost borders on hostility. The best efforts of the state department thus far have failed to secure the adhesion of the Cuban government to the treaty by which the terms of the Platt amendment must be entered into between the two governments.

The delay is all on one side, namely, at Havana, for Secretary Hay and the Cuban minister, Senor Queseda, have performed their part in drafting a treaty which it is believed carries out the intent of congress. That treaty is now awaiting the approval of the Cuban government, which approval is withheld not with any expressed intention of rejection, but is regarded here as the natural inertia of the Cubans in diplomatic matters.

This treaty includes provisions for a considerable measure of reciprocity between the United States and Cuba, and while it is true the Cubans believe the United States has been rather niggardly in the arrangement of the reciprocity schedules, those objections are not regarded as sufficient to account for the great delay in concluding the treaty.

However, there is no intention, it is said, to resort to any undue pressure on the Cubans so long as there is no discrimination against the United States and in favor of another country. It is believed that as Cuba is the principal sufferer from the lack of treaty relations with the United States, internal pressure soon will force action on the pending convention.