Evening star., 1898-08-27
Military Occupation of the Island and
Its Purpose.
FOR PEACE And NOT FOR CONQUEST
Major General Fitzhugh Lee Talks
on What May Happen.
THE CUBANS WILL HELP
Copyright, 1885, by the S. s. Mcclure co.,

In the Florida camps and cities the war
| is no longer discussed. The question of su-
| preme Importance now concerns the plans
| for the reconstruction of Cuba. What will
| be the political future of the island?''
| ''How extensive 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 protocol.
| There is probably no other man in the
| country who can speak with so much au-
| thority 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
| American occupation became well-defined
certainty General Lee has maintained a
| dignified silence, refusing to talk for publi-
| cation. Before he was summoned to Wash
ington, however, while still in command of
| the 7th Army Corps in Jacksonville, he
| talked freely with The Stars correspond
| ent in regard to the subject of Cuba's po-
| litical future, as he was then able to do
| in an unofficial capacity From the tone
| of these utterances there is no doubt that
| General Lee understands and is in complete
| accord with the views of the administra-
| ton with regard to the treatment of the
| Cuban situation. General Lee said:
THE rules and regulations prescribing
| the course to be followed on the Island of
/ SuDa, now tHaL the war is over. Will De
| decided upon by the government of the
| United States, but only far as to en-
| brace provisional control upon the part
| Of the United States, pending the forma-
| tion of a. government which will have the
| approval end consent of majority of the
| voters of the island, as decreed and set
| forth. by their representatives assembled in
| legislative conference.
| From Spanish to Home Rule.
Without of course, being able to fore
| shadow the policy Of the government of
| the United States, it may be said that dur
| ing 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 a
| strict maintenance of property rights of
| all classes and nationaiities. In order to
| effect that purpose it will be necessary
| to have an armed occupation by the United
| states troops as a sort of constabulary, or,
| In other words, as a guarantee to the peo-
| pie 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 of Cuba.
| In 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 it is
perfectly willing to leave to the people
| themselves, provided the guarantees as
| before stated. are satisfactory.
| Whether Cuba will ultimately become a
| republic or later be merged into an Ameri-
| can colony, and later still possibly into an
| American state, is question for the fu-
ture and for the people of the island to
| determine. BY proving to the Spanish SOL
| diers and residents who elect to remain
there and to Spanish merchants and pron-
| erty holders and others that a safe and
| suitable government will be assured them
and that their rights will be respected in
every particular strictly as the rights
or all other classes of citizens it is to be
m hs ppt lin
| ed, with that of the conservative Cubans
ard Americans, in forming a government
"hich Will be sufficient for all purposes and
| which Will remain formed until those
| interested. under forms of law shall pro
| ceed to change it.
The solution of the problem of establish
iils Ialr ana stable government in Cuba
uoeS not present any insurmounta BILE diff
cultles 1t is almost certain that the in
lerests OF the people from the United States
| ana other countries who are in Cuba now
| % VI VINO settle there in the future will be-
| come too great to De exposed to reyoIu-
| tlonary riots. even should there be found
| an element disposed to them, The Snan-
larcs ana The foreign-bor nhabitants of
tne Island Will undoubtedly realize that if
| Is TO their advantage to work in harmonv
with the conservative and Iaw-abiding por-
tlon OF the natives for the strict observance
| OF the rights of all.
A Good Training School,
1T Is difficult to say how many Amerf-
can troops will be required for the occupa-
tlon OF Cuba during the period pending the
organization of a stable and efficient local
government. The number should be suffi-
clent to inspire confidence in the complete
preservation of order, so that capitaI and
enterprise will not be afraid to invade the
Island ana do their part in the work of its
restoration to peaceful prosperity The
cnaIlSe VIII no doubt be gradual the
United States troops taking the place of
the spanish SOlCieIV ST b. Ia+
are Withdrawn from the various garrisons
AS the mission of the Americans is to pre-
serve order and not to wage war 1t will
scarcely be necessary to move them into
CUBA In numbers equal to those of the re-
tlrlng Spaniards. 1t may seem wise, how
ever, TO the government of the United
states to take advantage of this opportiln-
ity 10 give some of the volunteer soldiers
VINO did not have the opportunity to par
liclpate in the active hostilities chance to
secure somewhat more thorough military
training than they have thus far obtained
Ihis consideration may lead to the employ
ment of larger body of men than would
otherwise be used, and to the taking of
some OF the newer volunteer regiments for
this service
1T is not conceivable that the native in
habitants of Cuba will receive the troops of
the United States in any unfriendly or hos
tile spirit. They must realize that if is To
the arms of the United States that they
owe their speedy delverance from Spanish
rule, that the mission of the United States
IN me Island is not one OF conquest but of
friendly concern for the establishment of
order. and that 1T is to their advantage as
Well as to that of the other residents of the
island. to make the task as light as possible.
anxious and WiIIfDg to Helm,
IAN encouraging factor in the problem
of Cuba's political future is presented by
the attitude Of the provisional government.
as explained by their representatives in
this country and by the emissary who has
just come from their headquarters in Cuba.
From this it appears that those who now
control the administration of civil affairs
in the island are willing and anxious to
assist to the fullest extent of their power in
bringing about the establishment of suit
able and satisfactory government. 1t seems
to be no part of their plan to seize the
reins of government or even to hold the
authority that has already been intrusted
to them, as was attempted in the case of
some of the South American countries on
the achievement of their independence. On
the contrary. the terms under which the
present civil administration exists and
which 1t has declared its intention of re-
specting. provide for the calling of an as
-embly representing nearly as possible
all classes in Cuba, and to turn over to this
assembly their present authority and leave
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