The Politics of Intervention

192 THE POLITICS OF INTERVENTION

istration of Cuba's correctional school, insane asylum, and
charity hospital.^3 In April, 1908, when the terms of the pro­
vincial governors and councilmen expired, Magoon appointed
six officers (either Rural Guard advisers or supervisors from
the Military Information Division) to serve as governors
through the next elections.
4
Since these officers did not relin­
quish their military duties, they were in a strong position to
insure peaceful elections.
Magoon strengthened the executive branch with five dis­
tinctly political appointments in 1907. The Liberal Justo
Garcia Velez became Secretary of State; his brother Carlos
was named Inspector of Prisons. The conservative Judge
Manuel Landa joined Crowder in the Department of Justice.
Demetrio Castillo Duany, a Liberal leader, was appointed
chief of the National Penitentiary, and Colonel Charles
Hernandez, a popular veteran, became Director of Posts and
Telegraphs. All five men had reputations for effective public
service under Wood; Judge Landa, former Chief Justice of
the Audiencia of Havana, was a close friend and frequent
correspondent of Wood's.^5
In terms of domestic reform, Magoon's understanding of
Cuba's problems was more comprehensive than his instruc­
tions from Roosevelt to re-establish a new government. After
successfully completing the first order of business, "to allay
or turn into proper channels the political strife which had
divided the inhabitants into two hostile camps... ," Magoon
examined and listed for Taft and Roosevelt the problems that
had to be dealt with if Cuba was to be truly stable. It is
unclear if the list was prepared in descending order of priority.
Its comprehensiveness, however, indicates that the Provisional
Governor was aware of the magnitude of the task facing any
Cuban government:^6

1. public health


2. employment during the tiempo muerto


3. lack of roads and harbor facilities


4. the high cost of transportation