The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-11
(WaShingtOn PoSt.)

We can easily believe that the Span
ish-born residents of Cuba, together
with such of the mustered-out Spanish
soldiers as wish to remain in the is
land-and of these there are thousands
we a believe. We say, hat in this
element of the population there is a
great deal of dissatisfaction over the
delay of American occupation Of Cubs
AS far back as last December The Post
was aware that the annexation ceiling
was strong among the resident Span
iards, and that the violent language of
La Lucha, the brightest and strongest
newspaper in Havana, had for it's mo-
tive only the prOVOcatiOn of a con-
f1ict which, in its opinion, would end
in the absorption of Cuba by the Unit
ed States. Those who were in Havana
at that time. and in a position to read
between the lines Of events and utter
ances, fully understood all this. Ever
the most ordinary b%ystander must have
had his suspicious when he saw in La
C a highly infiammatory article
on the official conduct of Consul Gen
eral Lee and then saw the editor OF
that paper fOregathering in the most
amiable, not to say affectionate, man
ner with the object of his pretended
Indignation. The simple truth of the
matter is that everybody in Cuba who
owns a rod of land, or pays a dollar
of taxes, or is seriously interested eth
er presently or prOspectively in the ma
terial progress of the island. is anxious
to see established there a strong, en-
lightened and secure regime of law and
order.
In this view of the matter, one can
readily reconcile the alleged agitation
Of the Spanish element with a sincere
desire on their part to hasten Ameri-
can occupation. Their present condi-
ton is rapidly becoming desperate. The
policy of the insurgents has the effect
Of paralyZing all industrial operations
in the interior, and thus both the mer-
chants, and the planters, the manu-
facturerS and the agriculturists are
suffering. if not actually going to ruin.
Who "a blame them il, in the hops
Of bringing about a crisis which will
precipitate some result-any esult-
they secretly or openly the
malignants under Perez, Rabi, and in
surgent leaders Of that class to main
tain a hostile attitude oward the init
ed States authorities? They have little
left to lOse.A few more months Of such
anarchy and chaos as now prevails in
the interior Of Cuba will beggar them.
Why should they not help to precipi-
tate an emergency in which they may
at least find salvation? II existing
lAoAil IOLlS'l my
are ruined anyhow. No change can
make their plight any more unhappy.
1t is obvious that. obeying the instinct
OF self-preservatiOr, they would be
glad to see a conflict between our au-
thorities and the representatives OF the
ridiculous opera bouffe vernme
which, for the past two years, has been
fitting about from one hiding place in
eastern cub to another on the back
Of some sure-foOted mule. Thy know
that such a conflict would hasten the
contamination which they devoutly
pray for. and that, in this way, the es-
Establishment Of order and civilization
would be assured The ignorant, semi
savage chieftians who still keep their
m~arauding bands Of malcontents in
hand are quite capable OF supposing
that they can successfully defy the
American power in Cuba, IN Span
iards. who know better. are only too
willing to encourage them in some act
Of irretrievable mischief and absurdity.
But there is no doubt that the gov
rnmen should expedite it's occupation
G. Cuba and the consequent restoration
Of peace and law. We are under no
obligation 10 consider the preferences
OF the insurgents in Cuba or their va
rIous juntas and emissaries in this
country. From neither class have VIC
had a word Of truth or a glimmer Of
fact since the insurrection began near
~ four years ago. Their boosted ar
mics turned out TO be mere beggarly
arrays Of phantoms. Their so-called
civil government was little more than