New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-09
CUBA AND ITS JUNT4.

The question Of recognition Of the insurgents or
their right to govern in Cuba 1t may be hoped
Is not to be decided on the basis Of the demand
made by Mr.. Rubens. or other persons purpOrt
ing to represent that government. The strict
truth Is that the world has extremely little
knowledge Of any civilized organization by
these insurgents. or Of it's demands or func
lions. What 1t actually represents. whether or
not the people Of Cuba who want 10 be free
from Spanish tyranny are all supporting It,
there Is absolutely no evidence whatever. It
would be we'll for Cubans in this country, who
have been going as close TO violation Of the
laws of the United States as they possibly could
IN safety TO understand that they are under
great obligations TO this Nation for its hospital
ity and forbearance. II they can possibly con-
vince this Government that they represent the
people Of Cuba. It may be we'll for them to
do so. Meanwhile 1t Is the plain truth that
they can perhaps talk too much for their own
good. II they have done what they profess to
have done, they are candidates for imprison-
ment for breaking the laws Of the land that
shelters them.
The Nation knows nothing OF them. All Its
eympathies with the Cubans who seek freedom
do not blind 1t to the fact that men who have
sought to violate United States laws are in a
very different position from those who have
merely revolted from Spanish rule Neither do
American sympathies blind the mind to the fact
that the insurgent Cubans have never to this
date made a sufficient showing Of actual gov
eminent in any part Of the island, or that they
represent all the genuine Cubans or the Cubans
who desire freedom from Spanish rule. There
is not an atom Of evidence thus far that they
actually do.
In this state Of facts 1t would be sheer alb
surdity for the President to recognize a gov
eminent which has not. to the knowledge Of the
United States. been governing anywhere. Mr..
Rubens asserts that II has collected taxes, but
there Is not the slightest information at COM
mand Of the United States whether duties
have been levied in such form to be In force
against all Cubans or all persons engaged In
any branch Of business, or exacted merely be-
cause a. revolutionists were able TO make peo-
pie pay through their practical control of par
ticular districts. The reports Of the United
States officials who have not been able to find
q Cuban government anywhere. are entitled to
come consideration. II there has been a Cuban
court at any point for the adjudication Of pend
ing difficulties 1t would be well to have the
United States Informed Of that fact.
Spain must get out Of Cuba, flag and troops,
bag and baggage; so much IL settled. The
Cuban people must be free from that tyranny.
But whether they will see At, when free and
able 70 express their wishes definitely, to de-
mand the government which the insurgents
oSer, Ii not question which Mr.. Rubens has
ths slightest authority to answer. He does not
know any more about II than the Cuban forces
know about the movement Of Spanish troops
q Madrid. Whether the people have wanted,
% choice between that and Spanish tyranny,
the government Of Garcia. Maceo or Masso, or
any other possible government that the in
euxgents may set up. Is not just now the
question. The United States has a right TO
taOw what they would desire II free and In