The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-31
TIE crnANs rNREAsoNARLE.

THE CIBANS INREAsON ABLE.
The Cubaus in Havana are acting in a
manner calculated to create the impress
sion that the Cuban people are wholly un-
ft for self-governmeut They appear to be
willing to jeopardize their future welfare
for the satisfaction Of sloaung over the
defeat of the Spaniards. They seem to
think that the freedom of Cuba was Sc
cured by their efforts. AS a matter of
fact, Cuba would have never been freed
from the yoke of Spain if the United
States had not interfered and driven the
spaniards from The island.
There is no doubt that Gen. Brooke is
right in refusing to permit soldiers of the
Cuban army to enter Havana on Jan. 1
and take part in the evacuation ceremo-
mes. If he should allow the Cubans TO
carry out their programme there would be
a disgraceful state of affairs in the Gu
ban capital. There are not American sol
diars enough there to preserve order-to
keep the Cubans in check-if the popula
ton should be largely increased by Cuban
soldiers anxious to show their hatred OF
the Spaniards. From what has already
occurred in that city and from what Is
occurring there all the time. it is apparent
that the Cubans would like nothing bet
ter than a satisfactory excuse for cutting
the Threats of all the Spaniards on the
island. The Spaniards are disposed to be
peaceable; in fact they know that if they
should even resent the abuse that is be-
ing heaped upon them by the Cubans their
lives would be worth very little
If Gen. Brooke should permit the Cuban
soldiers 10 come into the city on~evacua-
ton day and remain there during The five
days festivities planned by the Cuban
leaders. daily riots of greater or less pro
portions would occur. A very large por-
ton of the population of Havana is either
Spanish or Spanish in sentiment To pre-
vent a clash between the Spanish and the
Cuban clements as the duty Of Gen. Brooke.
Our government is pledged TO protect the
Spaniards in Cuba, and Gen. Brooke would
be guilty of incompetency and neglect of
duty if he should permit any preventable
condition of affairs that might lead TO
bloody contests between the antagonistic
elements.
The Cubans are represented as being
very bitter towards the Americans, and
sullen because they have not been per
mitted to carry out their Havana pro
gramme for evacuation day. and the four
subsequent days. Let them be sullen If
they want to. II is not a matter of much
consequence how they feel about the mat
tor We have made sacrifices enough for
them If they do not appreciate what we
have done for them, and are unwilling 10
trust us, the only thing for us to do is to
go ahead and carry out our plans without
their assistance or consent. IL they inter
pose objections and seek to hinder us they
must be treated as enemies. Having gone
this far in the work of giving Cuba an
enlightened and stable government we
cannot afford TO have our plans defeated
and work nullided by few thousand of
The lower element of the Cubans who
would rather triumph over the Spanish
element of the population than to have
the freedom that is at hand for Cubans
firmly established. The Cubans will have
to change greatly before they will be ready
for self-go government.