The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-05
The Future of Cuba,


Some peculiar opinions continue to
hr expressed in This country concerning
the Cuban insurgents. Mir. William GG.
Curtis for instance, whose lack of
sympathy for them has long been
manifest now admits that Cuban inde-
jerdenCc is inevitable, but he adds that
the president has not at any time con-
templated the recognition of the insur-
gent provisional government or the re-
rertion Of the Cuban delegate, Tomas
Estrada Palma. According to Mr., Cur
It's the president considers that the in
surgcnts are bad lot. not representa-
tive of the real opinion and aspirations
Of the Cuban people, and chiefly ami
mated by the ambition to secure power
ANA plmdcr. Similar views creep into
print from time TO time. sometimes
with nigh Endorsement. but just who
the good men of Cuba are those who
dissemuat, these opinions neglect to
explain.
Let Us look al this matter. therefore
| in the Iieht Of common sense The in
surgents control onc-half of the island
! this area . government, crude perhaps,
and omen to much Improvement, but
/ certainly far better than the chaos
| which marks Spain's nominal rule in
! the Spanish part of the Island outside
| the fortified cities. These insurgents
| represent the only force Of any conse-
| uuence, political or military, which
! stands out against Spain for Cuban
| freedom. They have fought for free
! dom, suffered for freedom. in many in
stances sacrificed all their property and
! the lives of many persons near and
dear To- them, including mothers, faith
era. wives and children, in pursuit of
this aspiration. If they haG not done
| this no Cuban in Cuba would stand to-
! day any show whatever of getting more
| liberal government; Spain would not
| have urOffcred even the unsubstantial
autonomy now nominally in vogue in
| the Spanish cities in the island and
there would have been no prospect Of
American intervention for the estab.
lishment of freedom in Cuba on a per-
| mauent basis. TO the initiative Of the
| insurrcctiOn as represented by Palma
and Gomez and MassO is owing all that
has thus far been done in the direction
! Of Cuban liberation ana all that will he
done in that direction in the near fu-
ture. 10 say that the president of the
United states will not recognize the
Cubans who have borne the blunt OF
Cubas battle for liberty is equivalent
to calling him a fool, and anybody with
penetration can perceive that William
Mckinley is not that.
The republic of Cuba which this re-
public will recognize and protect is the
republic set up by the fighters for Cuba
not one made to fit the fastidiOus no.
tions of the handful of Cuban autono-
mists. who correspond to the Tories of
our own revolution in that they are
willing 10 lick the hand that smites
them. 1T may he necessary when this
republic is put in charge of Cuba s
destiny to broaden it at The base and
call into league with it the Conserva-
tive and substantial citizenship Of The
island. native and Spanish. This will
lay foundations for a wise and per-
manent sroWth, and if the United
States shall take hand in eiecting the
spanish military forces and IN lowering
Spain's flag it will not hesitate after.
ward 10 take a hand in the recoustruc.
ton of affairs. We would have the
same right 50 far as the insurgents are
concerned that we now propose to eXer.
else toward Spain: that is tO say, the
right of Intervention in behalf nor only
Of our own commercial interests bu
also of humanity. We would neces
p sariIv surround the new government il
/ Cuba with our moral support and suid
ance. even going SO far, if necessity
| compelled, to declare an American pro
5 tectoratc, lasting until the islant
= should prove its readiness 20 govern II
self.
But the basis Of our recognition AM
reconstructive influence would be III
& republic proclaimed aud for three year
:, fought for by the Cuban Insurgents
: and the men who would deserve on
c first and greatest consideration woul,
y BE the patriots who dared while other
j., | dallicG