Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1898-10-07

ernment and call il a republic. But
the plain people are ignorant, illiterate
and without anything like an adequate
knowledge of the value of the ballot.
They have in their midst number of
shrewd men who have formed for them
4 government on paper, but ii is not
stable government. To permit those
Cuban political leaders to at once OBJ
tain control of the island would be to
transfer the ignorant masses from
Spanish rnpacity TO the rapacity of Gu
ban leaders who have Spanish blood in
their veins. and who would as merci-
lessy opprees them, all the while de-
luding them with the belief that they
were governing themselves.
1t was because President Mckinley
ioresaw the danger of this probable
condition that he eXerted his powerful
influence and succeeded in preventing
the congress from recognizing the inde-
pendence of the Cuban republic. Since
our army and navy have subdued the
Spanish forces in eastern Cuba, il there
had been any actual government in eN'
istence, some manifestations of such
government would have been made
But there is no capital, no presidential
headquarters, no congress, no depart
ment of state; in fact, nothing to indi
cate that the Cuban republic ever had
any existence.
Gen. Gomez, Gen. Garcia and the 9th
ers who have armed followers are likely
to cause a great deal of trouble for oul
country in the efforts which will soor
be made TO give stable government tC
the Cuban people. They have Tough
for spois, for their own enrichment
They will be satisfied with nothing else
They have already so indicated. Gen
Garcia, with his rag-tag and bob-tai
army left Santiago in high indignation
because Gen. Shafter would not permi
the pillage of Santiago.
1t is the opinion of our best ant
strongest statesmen that good govern
ment can be given to Hawaii nnt
Puerto Rico with but little show o
armed force. Those peoples do not re
quire the argument of force. They ART
tractable, and desire to do right. A
the outset there must be force used a
Manila; probably for at least full gen
Grafton. But ripe craftsmanship vii
be required TO deal with the solution
of the problem Of what will be the bes
government for each OF these posses
sions.
The great and grave and yeXed prob
lem, however, confronts us in Cuba
Senior Bartolome Masso, the head Of tn
so-called Cuban republic, has writer
formal letter to President Mckinley
claiming the right of immediate self
government for the Cubans. His lette
is interesting, well written, argumenta
tive, plausible and well calculated t
create public impression in favor O
his proposition. He eulogzes the CT
ban people for their courage, INTEL
gcnce, humane aspirations and loft
patriotism"
But beside that letter our statesme
will place the reports OF Gen. Shafte
and his general officers, showing tha
the intelligence of the Cuban iEsul
gents amounts TO but little more tha
the intelligence Of the Sioux Indians
their humane aspirations" constiiut
q desire to machcte Spanish prisoner
, and their lofty patriotism was dis
played in running away from Pando
army and in refusing to carry litter
for our wounded soldiers.
The Cuban republic will wait awhil
The form Of government will be dic
tated by this country. As result T
this war the United States is respons
bic before the nations of the world fc
the protection of the Cubans from the
own inherent enemies as well rs frol
foreign aggressors; and the good fat
Of the United States stands pledged t
give TO Cuba a stable government. Th
problem cannot be solved AT once. n
situation is grave, and its gravity
fully realized in the capital Of this r.
public. SMITH d FRY.
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