The Triumphant Life of Theodore Roosevelt edited by J. Martin Miller

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THROUGH ONE ADMINISTRATION
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT REDEEMED THE PLEDGE
The Cubans had to be taught how to govern themselves.
Under the direction first of Major-General Brooke and then
of Major-General Leonard Wood, the Cubans were educated
in the science of government. These officers taught the
Cubans how to collect revenue, to police cities, to conduct a
postal department, to manage free schools, to conserve public
health. On May 20, 1902, the American flag was lowered and
Cuba took her place among the free nations of the earth.
President Roosevelt had redeemed the pledge made by
Congress.
Congress adjourned on July i, 1Q02, having failed to pass
the Cuban reciprocity treaty. This marked the beginning of
President Roosevelt's campaign for the treaty. He was sin-
cere in his belief that American honor and obligation to an
infant republic was involved, and he had no hesitancy in
appealing to the people for their support. So confident was
he of the ultimate result that he sent Tasker H. Bliss to Cuba
with instructions to negotiate a reciprocity treaty with the new
republic.
THE ANTHRACITE COAL STRIKE
In the meantime President Roosevelt was engaged in the
settlement of one of the most serious problems of domestic
policy that ever threatened American industrial supremacy.
This was the great anthracite coal strike of 1Q02.
The memory of the paralyzing effect of the now famous
strike is still fresh in the minds of the American people. For
154 days—nearly half a year— it demoralized the industries of
the country. Before it ended, the country faced a coal famine
that threatened to paralyze every industry east of the Missis-
sippi River. Mines were closed, steel plants shut down, fac-