Evening journal., 1897-01-28
CUBA AND THE NEW ADMINIsTRA.
TION.

CUBA AND THE NEW ADMINISTRA-
TION.
There can be no doubt that public |
sentiment in regard to Cuba has
changed very much within a few weeks, |
and that it was not by any means ex-
pressed by the jingo members Of the
United States Senate in their grandilo-
quent speeches previous to the holiday
recess of Congress. The fact is, thecool !
headed people Of the country have, !
since the excitement Of the presidential
election, been able to think this matter
over, and although there Is no less
sympathy than before for the patriots
OF Cuba, calm consideration shows
that the United States should not be
forced into a false position and possi-
bly, driven into a foreign war out of
sympathy for a people who are them-
selves divided in their councils, and,
with all due consideration for their pa
trlotism and bravery, have as yet been
unable to establish a civil government.
During the presidential campaign
both parties made the most of the Gu
ban situation and fired the hearts of
the people in this regard for their own
purposes. The display of the American
and Cuban flags combined upon po-
litical platform was sure to create en-
thusiasm, which was worked up to the
highest pitch by strains of martial
music, and the far from logical
speeches of those whose sympathy for
Cuba was at least secondary to their
desire to elect their presidential candi-
date.
All this is past and gone. The can
didate is elected The candidate who
was to change our foreign policy to-
ward Spain, free Cuba and whip the
whole world if necessary, will, in few
days, become ruler of the nation, and
with what result? Major Mckinley has
showed one great attribute of wisdom
during the past six months. He has
showed the people enough to hold his
that he knows enough to hold his
tongue He is doing it still; therefore
we can only judge by his actions so far
as developed what he proposes to do in
regard to Cuba.
IL Is now understood, and generally
believed, that Hon. John Sherman, Of
Ohio, has been offered and accepted
the position Of secretary Of state in the
new Cabinet. If this is so, it is reason
able to suppose that his views in regard
to Cuba are the same as those held by
the president-elect. While on his re-
turn from Canton, where he is said to
have promised Major Mckinley to ac-
cept the Cabinet position mentioned,
he is said to have made, TO a Pittsburg
man, the following emphatic remarks
II do not believe this government
should interfere between Spain and the
Cubans; | do not believe we should at
tempt either to settle the war or take
any steps putting upon us the burden
Of determining the nature of rule in
Cuba in case the Cuhans win. / under
stand the Spanish government is pre-
pairing an extensive program of re-
forms to be applied both in Spain and
Cuba. This program will grant the
Cuhans autonomy. and will, in my
JNNbliNnNf Gnu AilI AtUtlllNis 1 AtlAhlAlN
look for a peaceable solution of tn,
difficulty"
Is it not reasonable to suppose tha
If these are the views of our incoming
premier they are also the views of hi
chief? They may cause disgust to thl
iingoists Of the Republican party an,
howl from Cuban sympathizers, 70
they indicate that the present policy to
ward Spain and Cuba will be continued
and are an endorsement of the polio
in this respect of President Cleveland
IL Is all very well to talk about on
ability as q lighting nation and tn
power of our new navy, but sympa
thize as much as we may with Cuba.
is becoming more and more plain tina
II would be unwise to adopt he
troubles as our own. especially whe
we consider that if we freed her W
should not know what in the world {
do with her.