New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-21
ETACT1TION OF CIB4.

Seven months Is not Immediately. III lne
snonisb Commission in Cuba acts with author
ity in proposing an evacuation so dllatory as
not TO be completed until the end OF February
IL dIsrpgards in letter and spirit the protocol
Inv which the Spanish Government has bound
itself to evacuate Cuba Immediately, About
minor matters there need be little trouble
Whether the Spanish Army takes its flags and
arms. whether the Spanish military and Gov
eminent records are left or not. are questions
which may much concern the convenience vi
the two governments but not their execution
of the terms of peace. The protocol Dound
Spain to evaCuatc. but not to surrender her
army It's flags or IT'S weapons. But immedi-
ate evacuation Is not occupation OF the island
or any considerable part OF II for seven months
while inhabitants are being starved to death
and estates ruined
The root of the matter is that relief for the
inhabitants must come quickly or il VIII be OF
no avail Every day that Spain retains It's
hold upon The fortified places and the lines OF
communication. shuts ports against all supplies
that do not pay revenue for the support OF the
army there and retains power to seize for the
maintenance Of that army all supplies that may
be sent, involves the starvation of Inhabitants
and the wasting Of The property. The time Is
fast approaching when the making and mar
keting of crops for the coming year will require
all the peaceful industry. the freedom of nc
cess to ports. the security for capital that can
be obtained through the establishment OF
American authority. Yet even now there are
constantly coming accounts Of the destitute and
hplpess condition Of the inhabitants and of
starvation nj many points which the United
az rplpyp bpcauSp free admission
of food is refused Ivy Spanish authority, while
the United States officials have not the author
ity. if they had the will. to pay duties to Spain
for the privilege Of feeding the long oppressed
inhabitants.
OF course. the Spanish Government must be
aware that prolonged delay under such cir
cumstances cannot he acceptable to the United
States and that 1t will not be held a faithful
Observance of the compact embodied in the
protocol n this country has 10 renew It's con
troversy with Spain on any point. II could have
no stronger ground than such departure from
the most essential feature OF that compact. IT
must therefore be presumed that the Spanish
Government will consent. when reminded that
II Is necessary. to far more rapid evacuation than
has been proposed, and to modification Of all
orders which hinder relief OF the starving or
destitute. The Spanish authority ought TO he
completely terminated as quickly at every port
and in every district Of the island as tho Ameli-
can forces are prepared 10 occupy II and main
tain order. If the Spanish Army cannot all be
shipped at once IL can be withdrawn from
nearly the whole island. and concentrated with
in narrow limits until ts departure. without
an attempt 10 exercise authority beyond those
limits.
It may he presumed that the American Com
mission will promptly make II known that the
evacuation must he immediate in spirit and in
letter As soon as the American forces are pre-
pared to occupy any port and to maintain order
in the surrounding region the Spanish troops
are by agreement required 10 retire from H. II
the Government Of Spain wishes an easy and
honorable termination Of strife, must be pre-
sumed it will he anxious to avoid any appear
ance Of departure from the terms OF It's agree
ment regarding Cuba. and any needless irrifa-
ton Of public feeling in this country by pro
longing distress among the inhabitants With
in little more than two months Congress will
again assemble, and its temper is likely to be
by no means helpful to the cause OF Spain If
at that time Spanish forces still retain pos
session Of any material portion Of Cuba. and
are shutting ont from the inhabitants that re-
lief which American occupation and authority
only can bring