204 THE POLITICS OF INTERVENTION
on the part of large employers of labor and that portion of
the inhabitants who believe in the Spanish methods of dealing
with the laboring classes."^46
In its relationship to the Cuban economy, the Provisional
Government did nothing to alter permanently the basic con
ditions under which Cubans worked, earned, bought, and
sold.^47 What it did do was to mediate justly between the
competing, economically important segments of the popula
tion. In die case of the labor movement and rural workers,
the government's actions probably increased their expectations
for equal treatment from succeeding regimes. Although the
Cuban economy performed well during the occupation, the
real key to the temporary year-long prosperity was the Provi
sional Government's own spending. Coupled with increased
foreign investment caused by the American presence, this
spending created a business upswing. In 1909, the old pat
terns of wealth distribution re-emerged; as the American
Consul-General, James L. Rodgers, reported:
... The fact remains, that a good portion of the abnormal pur
chasing power of the people disappeared when it was seen that in the
future Cuba would have to depend largely upon her own resources and
that under somewhat restricted conditions.^48
Public Works and Good Works: Policy and Administration
During the twenty-eight months of occupation, within the
traditional spheres of governmental activity, the Provisional
Government worked to improve living conditions in Cuba.
While its programs had to be acceptable to the Roosevelt
administration, it often planned, appropriated and admin
istered in what it considered to be Cuba's best interests. How
the civilian policy-makers defined these interests and how the
American officers reacted to these definitions reveals some
significant differences in policy criteria between Magoon and
his advisers. In general, Magoon was aware of the political
relationship of his government's activities in Cuba to his
mission, the peaceful re-establishment of an elected Cuban