America's second intervention into Cuban government was a disappointment

Cuba

AMERICA WAS DISAPPOINTED with Cuba's failure in their first attempt at self-rule. Most Cubans, for their part, expected a large-scale deployment of American troops. Some might say that they were looking forward to it. American soldiers based in Cuba would infuse much needed cash into the economy and represent the return of a benevolent dictator. People, both in Cuba and America, began speaking hopefully of annexation.

Charles Magoon, a disappointing military governor (click to enlarge)

John W. Foster, then former Secretary of State and grandfather of John Foster Dulles, Secretary of State under President Eisenhower, argued against annexation. He wrote that it not only violated the Teller Amendment, but also would result in a lengthy military occupation. Foster also argued that it would aggravate America's social divide. Certainly he was concerned with an increase in the numbers of blacks but, more importantly, annexing Cuba would vastly increase the number of Catholics in American society inasmuch as the island's residents predominately adhered to that religion. Economically, annexation would prove harmful to domestic beet sugar and tobacco industries.

The American military governor during the 1906-1909 intervention, Charles Magoon, was another disappointment. As an administrator in Cuba, Magoon was a dispenser of patronage rather than an effective administrator. Cubans and Americans alike lined up for jobs and Magoon handed them out. He even created jobs for political cronies.

Construction projects were ordered from Washington. They included public works projects: sewage, paving, and an aqueduct. All were poorly financed and the contractors delivered shoddy products.

To his credit, Magoon ordered a study of Cuban legal systems and instituted changes. He transferred selected powers to the Cuban Congress and established a civil service system mirroring the one employed in America.

Charles Magoon and Leonard Wood, a former military governor in Cuba, have often been compared. The Cubans revere Wood and regard Magoon with scorn. Interestingly, Wood was more of an authoritarian. Magoon only requested compliance. Wood was a military hero. Magoon was a military administrator, his previous experience having been in overseeing the operation of the Canal Zone in Panama. However, neither accomplished their goals in Cuba, of teaching to people how to rule themselves.