Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-17
HOW no GOVERN CUBA.

by the surrender of TOraPS army q
rlice OF Cuba about fifty miles in width
and one hundred miles in length passes
Into our possession.
The question at once arises, How shall
his territory be governed?
Within the area over which our flag
will float there are cities and villages,
plantations. mines. railroads. etc. 1t viii,
pf course. be necessary for us to keep a
large armed force in the cities and on the
border between our territory and that
IT'LL held by the Spaniards, but how are
we 10 manage the interior? In short,
what sort of civil government is TO be
recognized in the province of Santiago?
Shall IL be that which we find in opera
Jon there or shah 1t be that of the Gu
ban republic? Who will receive the taxes
md import duties? Who issue marriage
licenses. death certificates, SC?
This is a grave question, and it will be
/ mistake for US TO take hasty action on
1. The people of the province. we are
lure. would feel far safer under the au-
:hority OF eur military officers than un-
Ter tho control Of the Cubans.
The Cuban patriots" are distrusted
not only by the Spanlards and their ma
i've allies and friends, but by the Ameri-
ians as well. Tales of the misdoings of
Cuban soldiers are constantly coming In.
III we were 10 permit the Cubans TO ex-
ircise unchecked authority over the San
bago population, there is no telling what
leeds of vengeance and rapne they
you'd not be guilty Of In that case many
Americans would become ashamed Of our
,art In the war No; II will not do to en-
trust them with power-at least. not till
ne have proved them and found them
peaceable and honest.
The world has the right to look to us to
lee that our victories in Cuba are not fol-
owed by vengeful course towards nom
lombatants and others. We can only
Iatlsfy the world and do justice 10 our
Ielyes by retaining control over the coun-
ny until we are persuaded that the Gu
IAN republic is fit organization TO which
% transfer our duties and responsipili-
les.
We have said this is an important ques-
santiago would entail consequences Of
serious character that would follow us
through all our dealings with the Cuban
question.
We ought to make haste slowly We
Iught TO recall and profit by the blunders
" this government in the reconstruction
IRA In the South. Better keep the power
"a.
present than sign IL over TO u lawless
rev. The probabilities are that It Will
be years and years before this country
ian free itself from responsibility for the |
,emoval of the Spanish authority from
cuba. Meanwhile, no matter what may
se the form OF permanent government |
adopted for the island. these United |
States will be accountable TO the civilized |
World for tho lives and property of all the |
Inhabitants OF Cuba: of the foreigners |
lomiciled there, in particular.
So II Is 20 be hoped that we viii start |
fright In this matter. In the government |
4 Santiago We should give the Cuban Re-
10 otherwise they viii be sure TO abuse
heir power and discredit us. They might
lot abuse their power very badly while we
sers in sight. but they would be sure to
10 so as soon as our backs were turned.
they have old scores 10 settle. especially
With natives who espoused the Spanish
ause.
When the United States surrender their
uthority in Cuba II ought TO be TO re-
pectabse. orderly. trusty government that
Iili do as well by the people as we could
r would 90,