The Politics of Intervention

156 THE POLITICS OF INTERVENTION

For Major Jefferson R. Kean, M.D., adviser of the Depart­
ment of Sanitation, Magoon's sensitivity to Cuban political
pressures handicapped the humanitarian work he was doing
through the public health services. Only Steinhart's influence
kept Magoon from interfering with the Army's work, Kean
wrote Wood. He reported that "things are not exactly the
same as in the other Intervention. It seems to me there is not
so much zeal, and there is certainly more pessimism and more
politics.... "^33 The Provisional Government was too political
and its favoritism to the Liberals had made Kean revise his
hopes that the Republic would survive. The "best people"
were uninterested in politics, and "without some restriction
of suffrage, I think the future of the Republic is hopeless.

... "^34 The conduct of the Provisional Government had made
efficient, just and humane administration so difficult that the
Army officers' morale was sinking: "The Cubans are probably
being pacified all right, but I think there may be an uprising
at any time among the advisors."^35
In examining American policy in Cuba, Lieutenant Colonel
Bullard believed it was based on ignorance, "though we do
it with intentions that would honor angels." The dilemma in
Cuba was that the Cubans were "a people of monarchial
habit, tradition, customs... and even genius... with re­
publican, constitutional ideals and aspirations." The Cubans
had become addicted to violence, but were still willing to
bear the oppression of authoritarian government, high taxes,
and local jefes. America should either provide tutelage or not
interfere at all, but repeated interventions and the sponsorship
of the politicos was fruitless. "Time, time will be needed for
adjustment here."^36
On the whole subject of Cuban politics, the Army officers
probably shared the frank analysis of Captain Andrew G.
Dougherty, an adviser to the Rural Guard:

I have spent four and a half months in the Province of Santiago
[Oriente], horseback, living and talking with these people... there
are no two men or group of men in the Province of Santiago, or for
that matter in all Cuba, who can... speak for the "people of San­
tiago" or any considerable part of them.^37