The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-08-17
Commissioners for Peace.

The country will watch with much
interest the course Of the Cubans, now
that their liberty has practically been
secured through the operations Of the
army and navy of the United States
against the forces of Spain in two hem
ispheres.
The outcome Of the war has been al
together different from the issue that
was anticipated when the blockade of
Havana was begun. Within a period of
less than four months the war has been
fought to a conclusion, with an as
tonishingly trif1ing loss of either life
or treasure The world has witnessed
the destruction of two Spanish squad
rons, of respectable proportions, and
the subjugation Of national military
forces in several insular possessions
far removed from each other. The
conflict by land has been of so insig-
nificant Importance that the president
has apparently regarded 1t as neces-
sity to apologize because so few en-
listed men were enabled to make their
way into the fight. 1t Is evident, as IN
the case Of the later detachments to
Porto Rico. that many men have been
sent to the front for no other than the
political reason that certain influences
required the movement.
Meanwhile, through the processes
prevailing, public interest has been
largely withdrawn from Cuba. A sin
gle battle on land. succeeding the de-
struction of the Spanish squadron at
Santiago bay, was all that was neces-
sary to bring the Spanish nation to
our terms of peace. The power of
Spain has already been superseded by
that of the United States In both Cuba
and Porto Rico. But may it not prove
Tue that at this point our gravest COM
plications shall find their origin? If
the Cuban junta possesses power to
speak with authority, there ought to
be little difficulty encountered in the
work of closing up the dispute between
the receding and the incoming author
ity on the island. But 50 strangely 81
lent have become the former revolu-
tionary leaders that the suspicion may
we'll be justified that some sort of mis-
chief is brewing. No one need regard
a sudden spasm of indignation by the
Cubans over the accomplishment Of
their independence as an unexpected
development in the situation.
The appointments just announced of
peace commissioners by the president
are, in way, unlocked for, so far as
their personnel goes;. but, taken as a
whole, they would seem to be unob-
jectionable. Some disappointment will
doubtless be expressed over the fact
that Gen. Fitzhugh Lee does not ap-
pear among those who are named to
lngs with Cuba. Gen. Wade is we'll
known, and his value is appreciated.
Acting Admiral Sampson has been con-
spicuous before the public ever since
the explosion Of the Maine; and, how
ever divergent the views of the public
may be regarding his position in the
naval battle at Santiago, no one will
question his ability and patriotism. It
Is pleasing to know that the president
mas given to the South SO excellent a
representative as General and former
United States Senator M. c. Butler, Of
| South Carolina. For Porto Rico the
| president has selected Gen. Brooke.
| Commodore Schley and Brig. Gen. w.
w. Gordon, Of Georgia. Both COM
| missions ought to meet the approval
| OF the public from all points of view.
There is no doubt the officials named
Will encounter many difficulties, es-
pec1ally those who will have to do with
Cuba The president doubtless had
his reasons for passing over Gen. Lee,
who, it would seem, was especially
qualfhed to take part in this particu-
lar field; but inasmuch as the an
nouncement is made that Gen. Lee
has been in recent conference with the
president. II. Is only fair to assume
that no misunderstanding exists be-
tween them over the matter.