The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-11-05
"poLroY OF ExpEorANor."

1akluR bD6 Cu6 lIOtA OIuC1AA
the press of the country has, of late,
been abounding in the use of the phrase
Uexpectancy" In relation 20 the policy
of our Government towards Cuba. 1t
has not as yet transpired, definitely, as
to what is implied by this policy Of ex-
peotancy. 1t may mean much, it may
mean nothing.
But men in high places are not won't to
make such utterances without meaning
something. And the public mind has
become little exercised in fixing some
exactness of meaning to this policy OF
expectancy; but not with any fattering
degree of success. Some construe 1t to
mean policy looking to speedy annex
alton of Cuba to the United States.
Others regard it as signifying purpose
to wait and watch, like Mr.. Macawber,
for something to turn up. And others
again think that it implies state of ex-
pectancy as to spain's necessitous con-
dition, which will eventuate in sale of
the island to the United States by special
treaty, and without any breach ofiriend-
ly relations.
But all these things have been for
seven years past as much matters OF ex-
pectancy as they can be now. We have
been expecting that the "Cubans" would
speedily terminate their strife, either by
success against or submission to the
Spanish authorities. We have been ex-
pecting that Spain would either crush
the insurrection, or yield up her claims
to dominion Ito Cuba as an appanGge OF
the Spanish crown. We have been ex-
pecting that restraints upon our COM
merce and depredations upon our un-
armed vessels would cease. We have
been expecting that the authorities OF
the island would preserve social order
80 as to protect American citizens law
fully resident there, both in person and
property.
This state OF expectancy has contin-
ued now for more than seven years; and
every expectation has been met by dis
appointment. And now the question is,
Are we going to prolong this policy ol
expectancy to an indefinite extent?
Gen. Grant explicitly disavowed annex
alton as an element in this policy. But
editors are not all of them quite SO mod
est. They raise the shout of annexation
Rs the consummation of the policy ol
expectancy. Some of them assume to
conclude that Grant meant that, al
though he said exactly it's opposite
PROBABLY it would not be wise to trust
Implicitly to such interpreters of presi
Dental utterances. Grant has no little
notoriety for reticence, but he certainly
has no repute as prevaricator in speech
We must therefore accept his disayowa
Of the idea OF annexation as sincere.
But then, Gen. Grants lease Of thu
Presidency expires in just sixteen
months from to-day; and il is not re
newable. The policy of expectancy
having lasted this long time, may easily
survive the lapse of the sixteen months
that are between this present and the
time when Gen. Grant will step dowr
and out. Then it may be made to as
sumo some other aspect in some othe
nanu5s Anu ~ pouuoNce VH0 PooPiS "
know what this policy OF expectancy
may really and truly signify.
Cuba has always been temptini
bait for politicians to. throw out TO tn
gudgeons on the eve of election move
ments. And. considering the wind-worl
put in operation heretofore by part
workers, ON the question of policy as t
Cuba, the wonder is that just exactl,
nothing has ever come OF it all. But
situated as Spain now is, both as to he
home affairs and as to the affairs of he
rebellious colony, the policy Of expect
ancy may carry with it meaning ia
more significant than any known to tn
hand-bill literature Of former politica
campaigns. The people may come t
conclude that the eternal fitness {
things will require that we possess oul
selves OF the heat Of Cuba in order I
balance the cold of Alaska. But "
must require that the official oracle
shall not deal with the subject by an
ambiguity of utterance.
BLUNDERS IN NJ ORM ONDOM.