The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-20
Of Turning 1t Over To Insur-
gents at an Early Date
MUST BE ABANDONED.
Wisdom of Congress in Not
Recognizing
Independence is Acknowledge
on All Sides.

satisfied that the congress in passing
the declaration of war refused to recOg-
nize the government of the republic of
Cuba When the resolution was under
consideration the friends of the republic
made support of recognition a very ur-
gent condition, some of them insisting
that to declare independence without
recognition of the government of the
republic would be but an empty friend
ship to extend to the insurgents.
Even the men who then advocated
recognition are believed to have become
convinced that it would have been a
serious mistake to have undertaken
that as soon as Cuban territory was
captured it was to be turned over to
the care of the Cubans.
Cuban help of the United States
troops has been acknowledged repeated
~ but the recent reports from the camp
at Santiago and neighborhOOd have in
some measure impaired confidence in
the Cubans and their fitness to assume
the responsibilities of government, even
in Santiago. The administration does
not accept without question the frag-
mentary reports concerning the Cubans
that have come to the war and navy
departments, but there is so much test
lmOny that is diSQuieting that the pres
ldent is disposed to be specially thank
full that the congress did not impose
upon him the duty of turning over Gu
pa as fast as Subdued by the United
States to the unhampered control of
the Cuban soldiers and citizens.
The Cubans at Santiago seem to have
anticipated the presidents prOclama-
ton when they selected Gen. Demetrius
Castillo to be governor of Santiago as
soon as the city should be captured.
There was no consultation with the
commanding general of the United
States forces before this was done.
There was no consideration of the peo-
pie of Santiago when Castillo was cho-
sen TO rule over it after Spain had
yielded cOntrOLThere was no announce
ment by Castillo as to what his pur-
poses would be when he was allowed to
assume the responsibility and privi-
leges Of governor.
To Treat Ali Alike.
The Cubans might as we'll make I'D
their minds to show that they are fit
to govern before they can expect to be
trusted to govern The proclamation
of the president does not make any
difference between the natives of Cuba
and of the peninsula.
The Spaniards will not be permitted
to butcher or to prosecute the Cubans.
The Cubans will be prevented from
wreaking their vengeance upon their
former prosecutors. This may disap-
point the men who expected to drive
every Spaniard from Cuba.
The war by the United States, said
member Of the administration is
against the government of Spain and to
free Cuba from its misrule. 1t is not
against the people of Cuba, whether
Spanish or Cuban, or to set up Cuban
misrule and the Cubans may as well
make up their minds that this is so
and that the administration will adhere
to the policy of fair treatment of all
classes of the population that surrender
to the forces of the United States.
There is great probability that when
the friends of Cuba in the United States
have opportunity to commusicate with
the insurgent leaders in Cuba, they will
admOnish them that wisdom and a good
hope in the future of the island will
demand that the suggestions carried in
the proclamation be needed. The presi-
dent will not stand beside men who
seek an opportunity toe revenge them
selves at the expense of the Spaniards
for the cruelties suffered by Cuba for
many years.
The people of the cities and the towns
presumably the people VINO are interest
ed in property, will if they are in suf-
hc1ent numbers to hold the municipal
control and if they exercise it properly,
be permitted to do so. There will be no
forcible wrestling of power from those
who by numbers are entitled to hold it
IS and in moderation, use it, and there will
be no forcing upon the majority the
administration of the courts and the
civil powers by men whose only title
to it, is that they fought with Gomez
or with Garcia.
Mckinley is Determined.
There has been no disposition on the
tary authorities at any time to disre-
gard the Cubans or to belittIe their as
sistance. To the best of their little
ability, it is admitted they have rem
dered service at times very useful. At
no time, however, has the administra-
tion been disposed to assent to the pro
position that insurgents in Cuba have
proved ability to assume all the func-
lions of government, that the Spanish
are expected to yield.
Should the Cubans, by the mistaken
f17laTm
tile an attitude toward the United
States as to make it necessary to treat
them as enemies, the condition will be
regretted, but it will not make any diff
ference in the determination that Spain
shall no longer govern the island.
Members of the administration re-
gret very deeply the information from
Santiago indicating that the Cubans
are more intent upon vengeance than
they are upon securing tranquility I'M
der government that will deal fairly
with all people, whether native or for
eign born. They will consider it most
unfortunate if the leaders of the Cuban
party do not see that the prosperity
and peace of the island depend upon
acceptance of the plan Of the president
III Feeling Developed.
The reports setting forth that some
i'll feeling has developed among the Gu
bans towards the United States and
that this may yet result in resistance
TO the United States forces by Cubans
exactly support the expectation of a
member of the cabinet, who recently
spoke of the prospect in Cuba.
A state department officer has also
expressed the fear that before long the
United States will be occupying about
the same attitude toward the Cubaus
that spain has maintained for at least
35yO years
The Cubans are rather expected to