New-York tribune., 1898-12-07
COOD FAITH TOWARD CUBA.

7, ia +, hp hoped that those whose accusa'lohs
&c had faith on the part OF the "o'erhn'"'
toward the people of Cuba have hc'h re'"'e"
h,. or in,nortant passage in the Presidents Mes
snco oro sensitive enough to feel the rcpuke
1bosn ncrsons have been porsstenfly saying
,,o, tho profes sions with which this country en-
,.rcd unon the war with Spain were mere
,,,h,crfucc or NJ least that there was no pres
on, Intention of abiding by them; that under 'he
nrotorcc Of fraternal solictude for the people OF
,,uho ,vc were going TO make our possession or
The islnnd permanent. and convert proca'na-
,,on of humanity into policy Of acquisition
They are now complaining that the Presidents
Ncssp GO leaves various other questions TO fnture
determination, but with regard to Cuban ar
fairs the most they can do 10 save themselves
from contempt is 10 keep silent. On this SUBJ
;ort M least they would have 10 admit. II they
said anything that the President was absolutely
clear and explicit SO soon. he says. as CUBA IS
fully under our control, and has been pacliled
we must help It's people to form government
for themselves. We arc not merely TO maintain
order. looking on collly or jealousy while the
Cubans try 10 lay the foundations OF free ana
independent government. Our co-opera'loh
should be given 10 their cndcavors "at the earli-
assured success" We must assist them in
every suitable manner to repair the waste OF
long oppression and desOlating war. to develop
their Industries and provide tho moral ana ma
tcral means OF realizing their political am
bitions
The conditions which the President IS sol'ci-
tous 10 establish are thus described: spanish
rule must be replaced hy a just. benevolent
"and humane government. created by the people
"of Cuba capable Of performing all interna
"tional obligations. and which shall encourage
thrift industry and prosperity, and promote
'.peacc and goodwill among all Of the inhab-
"tants. whatever may have been their relations
lin the past Neither revenge nor passion
should have n place in the new government.
How soon this essential basis Of autonomy can
be laid events must determine; but until there
"is complete tranquility In the island and
stable government inaugurated military Occu-
patton will be continued And assuredly that
declara; ion contains no menace 10 Cuba or the
United States, but n guarantee that the true
welfare of both will be sedulously cultivated.
What sort OF government Is General Wood giving
to Santiago? BY universal acknowledgment in
comparably the best It has ever known: and no
body can honestly doubt that it IS the Prcsi-
dents firm resolve to extend that sort Of gov
ernment over the island and 10 maintain It In
full efficiency until. with our loyal and earnest
assistance the people Of Cuba are prepared TO
assume the responsibility which we must exer-
else for longer or shorter time.
1t Is possible TO contend that this country was
under no moral obligation 10 adopt the policy
toward Cuba which it formally and solcmnly an
nounced last spring, and that it would have
been wiser not TO place ourselves under such re-
strictions 1t may be sincerely believed, fur
tbermorc that no experiment in sclfgovernment
by the Cuban people is destined 10 succeed But
It cannot be denied that the PresGe1t is scrupu-
lousy vlndcatng the good faith Of the United
States, and that the National Government over
which he presdcs will not be at fault if the
dream Of Cuban independence is not realized