Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-21
OUR CUBAN ALLIES.

For a long season. at least the Cuban
problem promises to grow greater with
difficulties as time goes on. That is TO
say, our last stage in dealing with it
promises 10 involve more perpleXitics
than our first. And there IL no telling what
shape the final solution will assume. The
problem we undertook 20 solve was that
OF giving the Cubans a free and indepen-
dent government of their own, and as an
initial step 20 that end we served notice
on the Spaniards 10 quit the island. This
the Spaniards declined 20 do, and forth
with we commenced the work Of driving
them out SO far that work has progress
ed very well. But after it shall have been
completed, what?
1t will be remembered that before an
American soldier set foot on Cuban soil
rumors were freely circulated that the in
surgents did not desire assistance in the
way of American achievements. They
preferred, II was said that we conhne cur
aid TO their cause to sending them arms,
ammunition, and provisions We were told
that they professcd that with such aid
they could attain independence them
selves, in which event the leaders would
not be slow in practically asserting the
claim that 10 the victors belong the POI
]iical spoils. 1t was further stated that
there were many Cubans Of the better
class who desired independence, but who
refrained from giving the insurgents sup
port because they feared that independ-
ence would mean the absolute political
domination of tho insurgent leaders, and
as a result Of jealousies and rivalrles.
just such a state of affairs as frequently
obtains in the average South and Cen
gral American republic.
BY the more enthusiastic American
eympathizers with the Cuban cause these
rumors and statements were pronounced
n libel upon the insurgents, and shortly
tfter our army landed in Cuba reports
.wcre received regarding our allies that
tended 10 sustain that pronouncement.
We received glowing accounts of the
trotherly manner in which the insurgents
welcomed our men, and letters and spe~
rials from the seat of war teemed with
prophecies as 90 the service they would
render in the struggle. But IL soon be-
came apparent that their JOY over the ar
rival of our troops was going the way Of |
Bob Across courage, oozing out az their !
fingers ends. 1t soon became clear that |
familiarity and experience with our III |
lies were breeding among our soldiers con-
tempt for them--and with reason
: Before Santiago fell they declined 70 /
perform duties, such as road-buiding,
&c, that arc expected OF all soldiers.
while on a campaign, and during the
fighting they did not come to the scratch
with anything like the alacrity and una
nirlity that had been predicted. Since tho
surrender their course has been such as
90 justify in great measure their So
rallied libelers. Their leaders have sulked
3n their tents and shown great resent
meni at not being permitted TO grab the
civil Offices in the surrendered territory,
and run things TO suit themselves. In
.act both the leaders and the rank and
ale OF the insurgent forces are exhibit
Ing great resentment at not being allow
ed 20 indulge In an orgie % revenge and
|ooting in Santiago.
OF course, Spain Is likely To attempt 70
extract encouragement from this condi-
ton, just as she IS likely 10 attemp. to
extract encouragement from the face
that ycllow-fever has broken out among
our soldiers. All the same. It would be
foolish for her TO set much store by
sither factor. Come what may, we are
,oing TO wrest Cuba from Spanish do
ninion. and the longer and more persis-
emily Spain fights against that inevita-
bio contamination. the worse It viii be
Tor her In the end At the same time 1t {
must DO admitted that the conduct Of our ,
lilies. and the spirit they are showing. | ,
are serious considerations as bearing ;
upon the future. They so to prove that q
liIer wo shall have finished the tack Of q