Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-28
CUBA'S POLITICAL FUTURE
Major General Fitshugh Lee Discusses the
Situation in the Island.
MAINTENANCE Of PEACE AND ORDER
Purpose Of Military Occupation by
the United Statcs-Does Not Antic.
ipate Opposition on the Part
of the Cubans.

JACKSONVILLE. Fla, Aug. 24.-In the
Florida camps and cities the war is no
longer discussed. The question Of supreme
Importance now concerns the plans for the
reconstruction of Cuba. What will be the
political future Of the island?" How ex.
tensive Is the military occupation to be?"
and inquiries Of similar import are the first
TO be put by every man who has returned
from Cuba since the signing of the proto-
col.
There is probably no other man in the
country who can speak with so much author
ity or SO interestingly on this subject as
Major General Fitzhugh Lee. Since the
probability OF his appointment as military
governor OF Cuba during the period of Amer.
ican occupation became a well-deHned Ger.
tainty General Lee has maintained a digni.
ned silence refusing to talk for publication.
Before he was summoned to Washington.
however, while still in command of the
Seventh Army corps in Jacksonville he
talked freely with The Bees correspondent
in regard to the subject OF Cuba's political
future, as he was then able to do in an un-
official capacity. From the tone OF these
utterances there is no doubt that General
Lee understands and is in complete accord
regard to the treatment Of the Cuban situa-
ton. General Lee said
The rules and regulations prescribing the
course to be followed on the island of Cuba.
now that the war is over, will be decided
upon by the government of the United
States, but only SO far as to embrace
provisional control upon the part of the
United States pending the formation OF a
government which will have the approval
and consent Of a majority Of the voters of
the island as decreed and set forth by their
representatives assembled in legislative con-
ference.
Without, Of course, being able to fore
shadow the policy Of the government Of the
United States, it may be said that during
the transition state from Spanish to home"
rule this government will insist upon peace
and order everywhere, upon full security to
human life, and upon strict maintenance
OF property rights Of all classes and ma
tionalities. In order to effect that purpose
1t will be necessary to have an armed occu-
patton by the United States troops as a sort
OF constabulary, or, in other words, as a
guaranty to the people who are now on the
island, and to those who may hereafter
come, that law and order and peace will be
insisted upon in all portions o. Cuba.
I'm taking this action the United States
can scarcely be accused Of an intention to
interfere in any way, shape or form with
the government of the island which 1t Is
perfectly willing to leave to the people them
selves. provided the guarantees as before
stated are satisfactory.
A Question for the Future.
whether Cuba will ultimately become a
republic. or later be merged into an Ameri-
n n1o ~ Izta -AsI -
American state. Is question for the future
and for the people Of the island to determine.
BY proving to the Spanish soldiers and resi-
dents who elect to remain there and to
Spanish merchants and property holders and
others that safe and suitable government
will be assured them, and that their rights
will be respected in every particular as
strictly as the rights of all other classes Of
citizens. it is to be hoped that their assist
ance may be obtained, with that Of the con-
servative Cubans and Americans in forming
a government which will be sufficient for all
purposes and which will remain as formed
until those interested, under forms OF law,
shall proceed to change 1t.
"The solution OF the problem of establish
ing fair and stable government in Cuba
does not present any insurmountable diff
culties. 1t is almost certain that the inter-
ests Of the people from the United States
and other countries who are in Cuba now or
who settle there in the future will become
too great to be exposed to revolutionary
riots, even should there be found an ele-
ment disposed to them. The Spaniards and
the foreign born Inhabitants Of the island
will undoubtedly realize that it is to their
advantage to work in harmony with the
conservative and law-abiding portion Of the
fnr osria nhoor NJ IL
rights of all.
'It is difficult to say how many American
troops will be required for the occupation
of Cuba during the period pending the or
ganization Of stable and efficient local
government The number should be suffi.
cient to in spire confidence in the complete
preservation of order, so that capital and
enterprise will not be afraid to invade the
island and do their part in the work Of Its
restoration to peaceful prosperity. The
change will no doubt be gradual, the
United States troops taking the place Of the
Spanish soldiery as fast as the latter are
withdrawn from the various garrisons. AS
the mission Of the Americans is to preserve
order and not to wage war, 1t will scarcely
be necessary to move them into Cuba in
numbers equal to those Of the retiring Span
iards. 1t may seem wise, however, to the
government Of the United States to take ad-
vantage Of this opportunity to give some Of
the volunteer soldiers who did not have
the opportunity to participate in the active
hostilities a chance to secure q somewhat
more thorough military training than they
have thus far obtained. This consideration
may lead to the employment Of a larger
body OF men than would otherwise be used.
and to the taking Of some OF the newer
volunteer regiments for this service.
Friendly Mission.
at is not conceivable that the native in
habitants of Cuba will receive the troops
Of the United States in any unfriendly or
hostile spirit They must realize that II is
to the arms Of the United States that they
owe their speedy deliverance from Spanish
rule, that the mission Of the United States
in the island is not one Of conquest, but Of
friendly concern for the establishment Of
order, and that it is TO their advantage, as
well as 10 that of the other residents In
the island, to make the task as light as pos
sible.
IAN encouraging factor in the problem Of
Cuba's political future Is presented by the
attitude Of the provisional government, az
explained by their Representatives in this
country and by the emissary who has lust