The times., 1898-07-12
TWO SERIOUS PROBLEMS
Administration Not Satisfied
With Cuban Cooperation.
AGUINALDO'S AGGRESSIVE ACT
The Attempt of the IBsurEent Chief
10 Set Up n Republic. with Him
self as President, LIS a source of
Annoyance - GermRny's Alleged
HandiMOrk.

While the cable brings intelligence OF
the impending collapse Of the Spanish
government and the probable termina-
tion OF the war. the Administration is
seriously and soreiy disturbed over two
phases OF the situation.
One is close TO our shores, and, there
fore. may be first considered. 1t is that
the really authoritative reports received
by the Government from Cuba as TO the
insurgents and their attitude are griev-
ousiy disappointing. Newspaper corre-
spondents, writing from the decks of yes
sells beyond the range OF bullets. have ex-
tolled the Cuban as a patriot and sol
der, and they may have been warranted
in their description, perhaps, from the
specimens they have seen. Some of the
Cuban leaders. men OF educa ton. ability.
and refinement. have visited command
ers of American ships and discussed the
war at safe distance from its most dan
gerous and trying scenes
But the fact remains that the soldiers
OF the American republic who have taken
upon themselves the burden of estab-
fishing liberty in the shape Of a genuine
republican government in Cuba. are dis
appointed at their experience thus far.
The Government is wisely, no doubt
keeping secret for the present the truth
about the so-caIled Cuban army. 1t would
perhaps be expedient ar this stage of pro
ceedings TO expose the real situation.
The hope that a republic. with fair pros
poets Of permanent existence. may vet be
h.zH fw he Esl1
entirely abandoned, but il would not ex
ceed the truth to state that those best
Informed regard that consummation as
but an experiment
1t has developed since the landing OF
American troops in Cuba that wide
spread spirit OF distrust OF Americas
motives and aims pervades the Cubans.
This suspicion has not manifested itself
so much on the part of the rank and
file Of the army-the common people In
their sore destiny they have readily
welcomed the relief afforded by the
Americans. But the ambitious leaders.
or many Of them. have questioned the
purposes Of this Government in ;aking
up their struggle for freedom
II is no longer a secret that Gen. Gomez
himself has questioned the ultimate pur-
pose OF the United States It Is known
that emissaries of Spain have been busy
for months in sowing the seeds of dis
cord and distrust among the Cubans. and.
deprived, as the latter are and have been
OF means Of direct and positive informa-
tion Of the integrity OF purpose Of This
Government, perhaps it is not surprising
that some degree OF suspicion should ex-
list
one Of the most essential and important
phases Of the developments OF the con
tact Of our army with the Cubans Is a
conviction on the part of our most trusted
officials that in order TO establish a re-
public in the island, the authority Of this
Government must be exercised through
all the preliminary stages. at least. The
Cubans who have actively co-opera ted
with our armies have shown a spirit of
malignant revenge against the Spaniards
that has required the strongest repressive
measures TO check. The misfortune has
been that when the officers and troops
OF the United States have inJerpOsed 10
prevent unwarranted cruelties, 90 compel
the sinking of old feuds and yendettas
and enforce regard for civilized warfare
they have provoked the enmity of the
1uDdIlS thereby Inc latter nave resent
ed the restraint thus put upon them as
depriying them Of real liberty and as evi-
dence on the part Of the Americans Of
friendship for the Spaniards The Cubans
have spread such complaints through
their ranks and thus raused trouble
The other problem that is disturbing
the Administration and the facts of which
are kept secret relates 70 the Philippine
Islands. There, besides oyerthrowing
Spanish rule. a semi-civilized people must
be dealt with.
The attempt of Aguinaldo. the insur-
gent leader. to set up an independent re-
public, with himself as the self-elected
president, is a source Of annoyance TO the
Administration.
There is no doubt that Admiral Dewey
and Gen. Merritt can soon suppress Agui-
naldo, as well as overthrow Spanish rule
in these islands. but the latest reports in
dicate that the government is 10 encount-
er obstacles not taken into conSiderat ton
at the outset
The disturbing question with the Ad-
mintstratfOn involves the attitude of Ger
many as 10 the Philippines. On the sur
face and in the bright light of day Ger
many declares that she is not engaged in
any claDdestine transactions. In the
same connection the official reports from
Manila show that AguinaIdo was sudden
ly inspired with the ambition of setting
up an Independent government This is
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