New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-30
THE WAYS OF CUBAN INSURGENTS

At the present rate Of progress the Cubans
themselves will much chliehtrn American judy
mcnt as TO their readiness for maintaining
stable and worthy government II their past
performances give fair indication Of what may
he expected in the future. Americans will be
forced TO conclude that the earliest practicable
date for the establishment of such n govern
mcnt in Cuba is mere remote than most people
in TIL, country have hoped. The nce>sant
notify wranslcs between factions and rival lead
crs the apparent inability Of those who call
themselves "thc Cubans' to understand that
small minority cannot be permitted TO sct up
government against the wishes or without
the consent Of the majority. the persistent as
sumption that any kind of treatment Is good
enough for inhabitants who Fave not been in
arms fighting against Spanish rule. do not as
s;st people of this country to believe that a
government based on tho free choice Of the
people and willingly supported by the people
can be speedily established.
1t is necessary to take into account the fact
that the American Congress did not declare
that the Cuban bands then In arms were ana
OF right ought to 10 rulers over the Island, Dut
that tie people Of Cuba had the right 10 rule
themselves In refusing to take sovereignty
over the island and proposing to hold IL only
as trustee for the people Of Cuba, the United
States has not proposed tn turn over unrc-
strictcd power TO the bands OF armed lnsur-
rcctIonsts to treat the other Inhabitants as they
NAV please Recent events have shown how
impossible such course must be for any CIVIL
ized and humane government Until there can
~, 4 fair and entirely free expression OF the VIII
Of the inhabitants Of Cuba rs to the KIM Of
government they wish and the persons they
choose rs rulers IL Is not possible for the United
States to perform its trust or 10 surrender II
unpcrformed.
II recent events have made anything clear
+. Is that the ius,lrgeut leaders and their bands
of followers nrc not as yet prepared TO act to-
octher for the common good Of the people OF
Cuho on the way 10 the island two rival lead
ors md their followers transported by the same
.toouor cannot oven speak TO each other.
Tho onluion of Gomez Is obviously unlike that
of Garcia and both are unlike that OF CrSpe-
dos. and 1t Is hard just now 10 say whr'her
any two leaders of prominence can Do tound
who will agree But the main fact Is That they
al seem 10 think II enough To consider the
wishes Of their small bands Of armed follow
crs. but not In the least desirable to consult
the wishes Of tho people. Indeed. there are
Indications cropping out constantly that none
# the factions or leaders think that those WHO
d;d not take pnrt in the war have any rights
in Cuba whatever. II their behavior thus tar
nlsrcprcscnts their opinions IN this respect
they owe II 70 themselves TO make that Gear
without delay.
THE Tnitcd States has placed Itself In posi-
tion Of responsibility toward all civilized m
lions It has overturned Spanish rule, anu
has thereby bound itself TO SOC that some o'her
+ established and maintained which shall pro-
,oct the rights and property " foreigners re-
s,dinc or doing business in Cuba. shall uphold
order and stop lawlcss fighting between rae
TONS or between Cubans and Spanish resi-
donts. shall provide the state Of security when
,e necessary 70 In" industries and tho trade OF
tho rcoplc and shall strictly respect intcrna-
tioral ol,lications in al dealings with other ma
tjons When government can he formed
vbicb thnrc Is reason 10 hope will perform
these duties and which is so supporter ny me
majority Of inhabitants that II may h" expect
oil 70 bo stable. then the United States can I've
.o+ FREQ from It's trust II Is therefor" mat
fer of regret and of some concern ~ Tie p'opie
n this country that the conduct OF The insnr-
cant lenders and bands seems To ofer 50 lttie
rrosnect that snch n government can I've speed
H., established with fair reason 10 hope for its
stability.