Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-24
FRIDAY. ....,......SEPT. "a, 1897.
WHAT ABOUT CUBA.

Public opinion is growing that the
Cuban question will not be allowed to
gex this country much longer without
some sort of interference upon the part
,f our government
There are several reasons which give
foundation for this belief. First Con.
Yress Will be in session in the course Of
few months, and unless the admins
tration has discharged its duty in the
premises. the two houses will undoubted-
ly take the subject into considera-
lion. No matter how great may be our
admiration for the wisdom Of our Sena-
tors and Representatives, we must admit
that If diplomacy with Spain is to be
employed at ALL IT may be better done
through the Secretary of State than
through Congress.
The widespread report that General
.Woodford. In his interview with the Duke
of Tetuan. delivered the ultimatum of
this country. is the outgrowth of the
belief that the Mckinley Administration
means to act. and act decisively and
promptly. But that there was any ulti-
matum we, Of course, do not believe.
The time has no.. come for that yet
Doubtless, General Woodford expressed
the hope of these United States that
the Cuban war would soon be brought
to an end, and doubtless he proffered the
good offices of this country to help bring
that event about: but we cannot believe
~ Tn, oil no
enough was said TO serve as the begin
ming OF correspondence which may
take any turn that the administration
desires TO give 1t between now and De-
cember.
We should not be surprised to- hear
that the President has taken such steps
as will remove the matter out OF the
hands Of Congress, except in so far as it
may be expedient or necessary for Con-
gress TO sustain him in the policy he may
adopt. But that there has been anything
like an ultimatum is absurd. when we
remember that we have not yet recog-
nized the Cuban republic as entitled 10
bellgerent rightsl We should think that
that would be one of the first steps for
our country TO take. We could hardly
presume TO insist upon Spains acknow-
lodging the independence of a country
which we had never deemed worthy 10
be accorded the privileges of belli-
gerent!
However. IL is 'ln the air" that "some-
thing is to be done" about Cuba. The
10 AZ. 4
had "tip" from Washington. Their
comments upon the proposed return of
Fltz Lee to Cuba are significant. True.
Fitz Lee has always had a good name
North as well as South. but the Repub-
ltcan editors seem to have information
that during the next few months Lees
services In Cuba will be more advanta-
geous to the government than ever be-
fore. Ordinarily no matter how well
qualified q Democrat may be for the
place he is filing. there are scores of
Republican applicants for the position.
Day after day such Democrats are being
ousted--and with the consent Of the
President-and this. too. where the
spirit. IL not the letter. Of the civil SER
vice law ought to protect them. But In
the Fitz Lee case there IS a unanimity
OF opinion as to his fitness and worth
which we cannot but suspect Is inspired
from high official quarters.
Really. the position Of Lee at Habana
IS OF as much consequence as that of our
Minister at Madrid. The latter ''com-
municates" the views of the administra-
ton. but ;he former furnishes the mate
rial wherein those views are based.
30. We say, that taking into conside-
ration the Presidents request that Lee
shall return to Habana. and the inter-
view OF Woodford with the Duke OF
Tetuan. together with the pearness OF
the time when Congress will meet In
regular session, the country Is justified