Evening journal., 1898-05-21
CUBA INDEPENDENT.
Speculation as to Results of Free
dom from Spain.
Friends of Popular Institutions Feel
sgnguine ns 20 the Future OF
the Island Under Cuban
Control.

Control.
1t would-seem AZ frstsight that Cuba
Is no better prepared for independent
government than Mexico was so years
ago, tho moro so In that the difficulty
Of the task win be intensified by race
problems which never existed in Mex
leo. The population in Cuba is made
up of whites, blacks and mulattoes in
about equal numbers, and 10 Is needless
to say that the success of the Cubans
in government and in all the pursuits
Of civilization will depend on the eX-
tent TO which the white population, as
refined and progressive a class as ex-
lists in any yLatin-American country, are
able TO maintain their ascendancy over
the colored element. For any coun-
try where the black once gains control
steadily declines from that moment in
the scale of civilization and enlighten-
ment. Let us hasten, however, to say
that we most deyoutly hope and be-
lieve that the white element in Cuba
will be able to hold its own, though the
difficulty with the menace implied in
the facility with which the negro thrives
and multlplies on the island will always
be present.
The circumstances mentioned would
seem TO augur political trouble for Cuba
after her independence has been
achieved. On the other hand. there are
facts which make for political stability.
Though he has had no experience in
self-government, the Cuban In general
! possesses u high standard OF education
! and enlightenment, far higher on the
average than prevailed in the present
/ Spanish-Amcrican republics when they
threw of the yoke Of Spain. The bet
ter class of Cubans have been educated
In the United States, where they have
| studicd the working of popular ineti-
tutions as procticed In their highestper-
fection. Moreover, the progress that
has been made In the world IN general
in the science of government, the fa-
cility Of communication and intercourse
with tho United States, the force of
public opinion there, reacting on pub
lie opinion IN the island, the example OF
the more important Spanish-American
]
mere exhaustion Of thocountry and tho
necessity of reconstructing its wealth
and resources, are all factors that will
favor o stable and orlerly administra-
ton of aifairs
Then, too, there is a very important
negative circumstance that will favor
tranquility IN Cuba. Most OF tho in.
ternecine struggles that have torn this
z and other Spanish-American countries
have been due TO the clash OF Interests
and principles between the church party
and tie liberals. 1t IS safe 10 say tha'
this viii not happen in Cuba. The peo
; pie there are Catholics and will proba
: bly, remain so. But there will bo NJ
. l clerical party; even II thero are SOM
g / people of extremely religious Views
| they win find themselves too few il
. number and too lacking in support Il
I form themselves into the nucleus OF {
| political organization. This Is largcl,
d a matter of climate, for il is o commoi
, ! observation that, in the hotter regions
! ! even OF Mexico, religion sits lightly oI
the people. This tendency is intensi
fled I'm the case Of the Inhabitants o.
! senporis, as are nearly all tho impor
tant cities of Cuba.
3 Such, more or less, are the cons an(
pros for good government IN Cuba. On
< the whole, we see no reason why any
one expressing his belief that the lattel
outweigh the former-that the pros
,, poets Tor stability exceed those for un
: rcst-should be accused of allowing hi
i Judgment to be Influenced by his hopes
The friends Of popular institution
have I'm fact, solid reason to feel san
guine rs 60 the result of their trial Il
Cuba. Let us hope, too, that the Cuban
. will from the start demonstrate thci
7 libcnl,ty ard their fitness for the bless
h ings of freedom by according human
p and magnanimous treatment to th
r Spanish residents on the island and
t those OF their countrymen who in mis-
- taken sincerity have supported the az
tonomsts or other plans for perpetual
ing the connection between Cuba an
the mother country.-Mexlcan Herald