Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-24
SAUCY TALK.

There is an ancient and well-approved
proverb which points out the folly of
counting chickens before they are hatch
ed. Yet 1t is human nature to discount
the future and figure upon possibilities.
We have often INDUCED in speculation as
TO what the United States ought TO do
with Cuba after we have freed it from
Spanish rule. We know it is premature
to do so; nevertheless, we find that in this
matter We are not beforehanded with the
Cubans.
The newspapers report the arrival at
Kingston, Jamaica. of Senior Mendez Ca
pote, Vice. President Of the Republic Of
Cuba, who announces that the Cubans
wish not only liberty. but independence
Independence Of the United States as
well as OF SPAIN! Furthermore it is
known that the President of the Republic
has invited all Cubans 10 come into the
patriot ranks now while ii is time. and
declared that all who fail to do so before
1t is too late, must seek a home in some
other countrv"i
Had Vice-President Capote and Presi-
dent Masso been in this land, the junta
would have warned them not to be so
very "brash."
We Americans, instead of being infu-
enced in favor of Cuban independence"
by such saucy talk. must at once con-
clude that a government which threatens
10 exile or kill all the men who do not
Join them in arms is unfit to have power
over a land that is within one hundred
miles of our shores.
And Il all goes to show how wise our
government was in not recognizing the
republic of Cuba.
We are warned in advance that If we
drive the Spanish out of Cuba, the Cubans
will wreak their vengeance upon those
who did not espouse their cause. But
II we Americans permitted such thing
10 be done, the world and our own con-
sciences would not hold us guiltless!
There are Cubans by the tens of thou
sands who have taken no lot or part
in the insurrection. They have been loyal
10 Spain; or at least have been neutrals.
But. says Masso, these folk must seek
a home IN some other country!
IL is clear that when we have freed
over that island until this danger shall
have been eliminated. Ii would never do
10 abandon the inhabitants 10 the tender
mercies OF the Cubans. who have lived so
long ly predatory warfare that they know
nothing about what civilized warfare
means.
II Capote Is coming TO us to demand
90 be Informed OF our intentions, we trust
ne VIII be turned down" at once. The
United States should make no promises
In advance. but should not hesitate 10 say
1t is our purpose to secure 10 Cuba, in
accordance with the spirit OF the Cuban
resolutions. q stable and honest govern
ment, under which life and property shall
be safe and where not private vengeance.
but the law, shall be executed. Senior
rapote ought TO have that for an answer.
Nor need we have any dread OF cooling
zhe ardor Of the insurgents. They have
sense enough not TO make terms with
The losing side.
Again. IL Is q ell-lznown fact that the
great bulk OF the Cuban population and
pearly all the Spaniards resident In Cuba
would prefer TO have governmenrNwhich
j. nmenabe 10 the authority OF the United
Etates rather than one entirely In the
hands OF Masso. Capote & Co.-the men
who give notice OF their purpose to ex-
patriate all the people OF the island who
have not been active in support of the
'nsurgent cause!