d. It is said they may be resentful
of the real or imaginary wrongs they have suffered from the Spaniards.
Grant this. Who would not, with their homes as open graveyards
strewn with the dead of their families, etc.? It is not best or
safe to believe all the tales told of Gomez and his followers by
the Spaniards or city Cubans.

"However, I do not believe that a reorganization, with the insurgents
fairly recognized, would be as bad as these interested people claim,
or would be half so bloody as any organized civil government will
prove to be with them left out. Woe to the Spaniard in the island
if war again breaks out here! Gomez is at the head of the Cuban
military forces, but there are others, generally good men, who are
recognized heads of the Cuban insurgent civil power. These are
the people who will have to be dealt with, or they will deal with
whatever power may be set up.

"The Cuban is not so ignorant as is often claimed. Generally all
classes can read and write. Now they have no redress for wrongs
against person or property. (They have no civil courts; only a
little remaining semblance of Spanish authority in a few places.)

"With a simple form of civil government they could soon have this,
and they could be schooled in the primary principles of civil
government, such as self-reliance, knowledge of their just rights,
duty to others, and others' duty to them. Cubans have more need
of justices of the peace than of justices of a Supreme Court. The
people want and need quick redress against trespassers, and in the
collection of debts, etc.

"A simple code of laws, primitive in character, but comprehensive
and easily understood, yet adequate to bring speedy relief, is what
is now most needed. Such laws could be passed by a provisional
legislative body. Light taxes for a few years should be assessed.
Good land laws with a reasonable law of limitations should be made.
Land titles then soon would be settled. The established government
should take up and lease, pending the adjustment of titles, all
tillable and unoccupied land. Much of this land, even the best of
it (which would be cheap at two hundred dollars per acre), would
escheat for the want of living owners or descendants. The escheated
lands would make a large revenue for the State. Much of the land
in cultivation is capable of netting each year, with only fair
cultivation in tobacco, etc., one thousand dollars per acre. These
lands have h