Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-17
OUR POLICY IN CUBA.

Tho task that Is before us In Cuba con-
tInues to grow. and in many respects It's
| accomplishment promises 20 be more dif-
| flcult than has been that OF delivering
| the island from Spanish thraldom. The
| work OF ensuring the island against the
| fills Of virtual anarchy promises TO De
| greater than has been that OF emanci-
| patlng It from Spanish tyranny and cor
| ruption. The fulfiment OF the mission
| OF pacihcatlon and civilization that Is
ahead of us is likely to give us more
trouble than has the working out Of our
original mission OF humanltarianism.
Indeed. the clearer the insight we get
spirit that animates the majority OF the
insurgents, and the ambition OF their
leaders. the more apparent 1t becomes
that our mission OF humanitaranism has
lust begun. The more comprehensive
our grasp OF the situation becomes, the
broader We find to be the scope of the
Cuban resolution as bearing upon our
duty to ourselves and TO the people OF
the island.
Now that the wave OF sentiment that
had so much to do with driving us to
espouse the cause OF free Cuba has sub
sided let us consider calmly. as we are
in position to do. where that wave has
left us. 1t has left us upon hard, prac-
teal beach. from which we would not
retreat If we could; from which we could
we must go forward whether we would
or not. We have no alternative but
that Of pressing on to the consumma-
ton OF our undertaking. that Of opening
the road for the establishment Of a free
and Independent government Of the peo-
pie Of Cuba. be the cost and the obstacles
in the way what they may.
And that being conceded, what, In view
of the influences that are developing in
opposition to our work, should be our
policy? Manifestly, it should be such
a policy as will make all disorderly, in
fammatory, and obstructive elements on
the island understand that We intend to
remain masters of the island until
thoroughly representative and stable gov
eminent OF all the people can be secured.
II should be such a policy as will make
the agitators, the demagogues, and the |
would-be political spoilsmen grasp the |
fact that we do not intend that the Cuban |
republic shall be the travesty upon law, |
order. freedom. and civilization that the |
average South or Central American re- |
public is. 1t should be a policy in which |
he who runs may read, that we have not |
spent millions of dollars, sacrificed hum
dreds of lives. suffered generalization in
manv lines of business, and accepted the
burden Of heavy extra taxation, merely
to the end that the better class Of Cubans
might, in respect of freedom, government,
and the protection OF life and property,
swap the devil for a witch Therefore,
from the outset, there should be no senti-
mental dickering with Cuban juntas, no
with political factions. and
10 compromises with insurgent leaders.
We must be absolute trustees in the case,
Until such time as all whose interests
re in our care have agreed to live in
with one another, and respect
me anotner's rights, and have been edu-
,ated up to a capacity for administering
heir own affairs. And the sooner and
he more forcibly is this impressed upon
he Cubans. and the more business-like
We are In impressing 1t, the less will be
he cost to us of our trusteeship, and the
ooner we will be able TO relinquish the
,oSition