The evening times., 1898-09-14
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER IA, 1895.
Red Tape in Cuba.

That a degree of respect would be
paid to red tape in the transaction OF
business Of such a character as the
Cuban Commission has to do was a
matter Of course; but il must strike
experienced men as peculiar that all
the affairs of the American and Span
1sh representatives are to be arranged
by means of notes. There is to be no
meeting at which suggestions can be
made and considered and minor mat
ters disposed of with a word but only
the writing of communications and re-
plies. Probably such a slow and cum
bersome method would never occur TO
a practical business men, but only TO
persons who have seen long service in
a Government office, where time is of
no Importance.
For several reasons the Spanish
evacuation should be expedited AS
long as Blanco is in control at Havana
people are starving for the want of
provisions that are rotting in the bay
and that will be returned to this coun-
try because of the heavy import duties
exacted by the implacable Spanish
commander. The business is only as
difficult and complicated as the Ameri-
can Commissioners choose To make il.
1t is for them to determine what prop
erty viii remain in Spains name.
though even this question could await
the departure Of Blanco's forces. The
only serious problem is the method Of
their removal All matters relating
to international rights under the pro-
tocol properly belong to the Peace
Commissioners at Paris. In short. the
representatives of our Government at
Havana need only to ask Blanco how
soon he can go. If his answer is not
satisfactory, they may set an earlier
day and warn him to be ready
Whether this Government IS to aid in
providing transportation we do not
know; if it is, the arrangements should
be made as quickly as possible. If not,
Blanco should be urged to board his
ships at once and get out.
We have Peace Commissioners to
consider all diplomatic issues, and there
is positively no reason why the Cuban
Commissioners should bother with any
thing Of the kind. If information
from them is needed for the Paris
meeting. Blanco can have no possible
interest in the discussion A practical
business man would make short work
OF il, and he would not need an army
of clerks, typewriters, messengers,
lawyers and the like.
Apart from its brief and urgent bust
ness with Blanco, the American Com
mission ought to have authority to
listen to all complaints, appeals and
suggestions of the people of Cuba 1t
is in their behalf that We have anything
TO do with the affairs of the island
and they have right to be heard by
some responsible body that represents
America. The statement, however,
that the Commissioners will receive no
communications from Cubans, that will
interfere with its diplomatic work"
discourages the hope that this body
will be able to influence popular opin-
ion, which is assailed by proclamation
Of an alleged Cuban government, and
by arguments for annexation. What
is first necessary is the quickest posi-
bic shipment of Blanco TO Spain. The
immediate evacuation Of Cuba was one
OF the conditions of the cessation of
hostilities. That being accomplished
there is need of an American commits
the complaints of the people. Tape of
the reddest kind threatens to delay
the one and prevent the other.