The times., 1898-09-21

lngS or freedom to the CubanS, with a
further view of preventing constant
disorder in territory so near our own.
In proclaiming war the American Con-
gress distinctly asserted that. the an
nexation of Cuba was not one of our
objects.
The Cuban organization in New Yorp
creator of the alleged Cuban govern
ment-pledged the cooperation of the
Cuban army, which was said to num-
ber more than thirty thousand soldiers.
The island was invaded and the war
was fought TO an end, but virtually
without the aid of a Cuban army. That
veteran patriot, General Calixto Gar
cia, grand old man, offered his own
dred starved and barefoot followers,
and this according to the official re-
port of General Shafter, is the extent
of Cuban aid to American arms. Yet
help was sorely needed when our SOL
diers had all they could do to hold the
trenches they had themselves dug far
into the night after day of hot fight
ing-help to prevent re-enforcements
from entering Santiago. OF the thirty
thousand men of Gomez the Americans
had no knowledge, while there was
fighting to do. although we are feeding
them now as far as we can with Span
ish control of the ports of entry. We
expect to feed them for a long time
to come, and they are clamorous for our
provisions
the Americans are now making ar
rangements for the evacuation of Cuba
by the Spanish oppressors-a thing the
Cubans could never hope to achieve un-
aided. AS conquerors, 1t is our right
and our duty to establish peace and
good order. to maintain military gov
ernment until the survivors of Span
ish tyranny can resume the occupations
of peace and reach a self supporting
basis The American Government has
mex Cuba. Its plain purpose has been
and is to feed and govern the people
until they are able to feed and govern
themselves.
But it is also the distinct determina-
ton of the American Government to
adhere to it's policy of refusing TO rec
ognize the Junta government as a prop
erly organized Institution. representing
the Cuban people, There is not the
least doubt that il will make no distinc-
al hnFx ha fra, faction
which follows the Junta and the order
ly, property owning classes of the ISL
and regardless of their previous politi-
cal associations. This is the grievance
of the alleged Cuban government. The
Junta and the men it has appointed az
the officers of government will not be
able to enjoy the honors and emolu-
ments Of office unless they are chosen
by majority of the people. Therefore,
they have called a convention, with the
clear purpose Of forcing the Americana
to withdraw under a congressional
pledge that does not apply to the situa-
ton, by pretending to have formed a
republic.
We say this is black ingratitude
No sane mind can believe the conditions
in Cuba are ripe fer anything but q
military government, maintained by
the Americans. 1t is essential TO tbs
very existence of the Cuban people; il
is cur right as conquerors; it is duty
we owe to mankind, and it is necessary
to our own welfare. That the Cubans
in arms and their representatives
should have 50 little sense of theii
eternal debt 10 the American people a:
to place obstacles in the way of tht
easy administration of the government
until the time is ripe for self govern
ment. is a revelation OF selflshness
baseness and stupidity that must shocl
/ the civilized world OF course, they
/ can make our administration more diff
/ ficult. but the worst of the consequence:
must fall on their own degraded heads