New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-28
PACIFICATION FIRST.

II The proclamation Of the Commission on Evac-
uation Of Cuba states only what every right.
thinking and sensible Cuban must recognize
as essential TO the welfare Of his people and
the island. No government by the people Is
possible in Cuba until peace and order have
been entirely restored. and so much Of good
feeling and mutual respect that both Cuban and
Spanish Inhabitants can sincerely cooperate In
forming and upholding It, No other govern
ment can be set up with the liberation Of the
United States. 1t is astonishing how many Gu
bans ignore this obvious and incon estable fact.
and appear 10 imagine that the small minority
or The Cubans who have been In arms. or have
more safely promoted the insurrection from the
hotels Of New-York or Key West are TO be
placed in absolute power over a greater number
OF Cubans, and greater number Of Spanlards
also. with their feet on Spanish necks and that
the United States can regard this as a gov
ernment, Of the people and an embodiment OF
free Cuba. But much allowance must be made
Tor the intense passions which centuries Of
misrule have excited, and for the fact that
those who are making trouble are compare
lively few. even Of the active insurgents.
1t is especially worthy Of notice that to this
day there has been nothing Ike general ex-
preston of popular feeling. or even Of Cuban
feeling, against United States occupation and
authority in any part OF the island. Not a
single authenticated report is recalled which
has Indicated that IN any town or district op-
position to the authority OF the United States
has been offered by anything more than small
fraction Of the former armed bands Of insur-
gents, or some small mob Of irresponsible per.
sons Influenced by desire for plumber Judging
from the conduct OF the inhabitants thus far, a
large share of the Cubans and practically all
the Spanards have)fh every locality welcomed
the power OF the United States as the only hope
Of peace and order for the present. That feel
ing ia unquesiionably reasonable, and quite
justified by the violent and vlndictive conduct
Of comparatively small number Of Cubans
who have caused trouble in Havana, Santiago
and elsewhere
The wise conduct OF General Wood at San
tiago has enlisted to support him and the
Government practically all the substantial
citizens Of the province and many Of tho
former active insurgents. The dangerous and
incendiary conduct Of some insurgent lead
ers has only made the necessity OF Ameri
can government for the time moro fully recog
nized. 1t Is to be expected that similar RESULT
will follow at other points. wherever II Is found
that American authority protects In tho exer
else OF their rights all peaccnbc and orderly
Inhabitants Of any class md offers tho only
chance OF escaping prolonged devastation OF
the Islands by the vindRtivc strife Of different
elements leading 10 mutual massacre ant
guerilla warfare. But rs tho substantial In
habltnnts como 10 recognize this. they mus
also see that II is equally necessary TO: then
to treat former opponents with orderly respect
for their rights and TO stamp out the fires OF
yindictive strife wherever they appear
Through some what prolonged protection Hh
der American military rule of all peaceabis In
habitants alike. and In no ether way, can al
honest and fires decision Of the people as TO thetI
future government be reached, The great bod,
At inhabitants, whether Cuban OF Spanish, vii