The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-09
Cuban Autonomy or Independence ?

A foreign critic has said that the United
States ana Spain seem 90 be rushing into
war Wilh each other against the will
of the governments OF both countries.
This is true in case the governments OK
the two countries are tOicrabiy but not
absolutely firm in their resolve TO avert
IL. u they really determined % prevent
d., there Is q plain way 10 accomplish
that result The United States fortunate
ly has never committed itself 20 the
opinion chat the rebellion IN Cuba has
the support or sympathy of majority
OF the b0na-hdc inhabitants of the island.
The pOstulato that they are majority
is extremely dubious. Indeed, the evil
dence runs strongly 20 the contrary ON
the other hand. we are committed 10 the
opinion that spain ought 20 grant au-
t0nOmy 90 the island and hence that the
measure of autonomy now granted ought
10 have a fair trial. The rebels have
refused o. They have refused even TO
consider g. They have put 60 death one
Spanish officer who had sought con-
ference with them on The subject. and
have threatened death 90 amy others who
may make 81 similar attempt. ln rejecting
the Oncr OF autonomy they are bank
ing on tie United States. expecting ID
drag us into a war on the margin of DIFF
ference between autonomy ana entire in-
dependence.
Ths raises the question. What is
meant by Cuban Independence Docs
anybody imagine that if an Spanish oiil-
Gals and Spanish troops were az once
Withdrawn. quiet would be restored 90 the
island? Would such a step De the prelude
TO peace. or 90 o. new revolution with
TWO or possible three presidents and legis-
ltive bodies struggling for the mastery
Of Che Island? j. 10 imaginable that the
cultivated people of Havana and the pro-
perty-Owning classes of the other cities
would tamely submit 20 The leaders OK
guerilla bands some of whom were bri-
eands by trade before The present revolt
heeln2 Independence has come 10 nave
"a meaning in our ears derived from our
own war Of independence. but no such
analogy can Doe found DO the condition OF
Cuba. Our ancestors " the Revolution
had d government. am army, Congress,
and fair majority of the people ineach
and an Of the colonies. They had George
Washington for d. leader. whose name
alone stamps that struggle with char
acter OF subimity. They had a dipi0-
matte standing in the world and an ale
lance with France, offensive ana deI-il-
sivc.
The difference between our ancestors
aud the guerilla bands of Cuba Is enor-
nous. yet the word Independence is light
~ apnliod 10 tho latter as though the con-
sequences of granting Independence ~
cuba would De the same that they were
iu our own case. The truth is that no.
body can say what new scenes Of disor-
der would result from such q step. Judg-
ing from the example of the other Span
ish-American colonies. half a century Of
intestine strife and boOdshed would en-
sue unless we should seize the island and
Impose peace on the warning factions
Would that De an easy thing 10 do? Sup
pose that the rebels do not like our rule.
as very likely they would not after try
ing 10 awhile Are we TO furnish tho
troops ~ put them down and restore or
der? Suppose that the other side, tho
opponents " the present rebellion should
not ike our rule and that their discon-
tent should end in a fresh revolt Should
we lombard or blockade Havana there
uu0n2
These arc questions FOR our government
TO- consider. Shall We plunge into the ca
lamity Of war for The sake OF few
struggling bands who are hiding in noun
tain fortresses. burning cana-helds and
sugar-miils. and stopping the Industries
or the peaceful inhabitants. and who
probably represent only "a minority OF the
people of the island and who refuse even
to consider the offer OF autonomy which
Spain has offered them at onr lnstance2
D. seems incredible that such a slep can
be desired by any thinking persons in
the United States. We believe, I'm fact
that 10 is not desired by any considerable
number. whether they may be olassed as
thinking or minimizing We believe that
q campaign OF education and Of religion
for lt Is evident that the clergy Of the.
country both Protestant and Catholic
are almost q unit against an aggressive
war-wouid result IN an overwhelming
victory for the administration II It takes
firm ground that autonomy must be fair
ly tried before any further steps are
taken on our part.-New York Evening