The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-23
cuba's Fitness for Freedom.

The American. people entertain no
doubt of the ability of the Cuban peo-
pie. once freed from Spanish oppres-
sion to maintain in Cuba at least as
good a government as Spain has main
taincd. 1t would be impossible for hu-
man hands to make or the human i'm
acinaton to picture a worse govern
mcnt. Intelligent Americans who have
studied this subject go further in their
belief. They consider it as certain that
the ability which the Cuban leaders
have shown in the conduct of their
last uprising for independence would
insure under independence a govern
inert IL Cuba Immediately superior to
that which has been administered by
Spain, ani destined to improve rapidly
under the stimulus of freedom.
No lie has been more persistently cir
culated by Spanish officials and sym
pathizers than that the Cubans are an
inferior race. Those Cubans who have
received their education in this coun-
try-and they are numbered by thous-
ands-have effeCtuably demonstrated
successful competition with their
American-born schoolmates. As engi-
neers, chemists and diplomats the Gu
hans educated in this country or in
Europe stand in the very fore front of
their professions. AS dentists, physi-
clans and lawyers there are equally
successful. In fact there is no field
of trained mental activity in which
they do not measure w as the peers
of any race. save possibly the field Of
commerce. They are not money max
ers by instinct. In business they are
weak. But this weakness springs
rather from lack Of opportunity for de-
Velopment along this line than from
inherent inetficiency. The business of
Cuba has always been done by Span
iards. They were shrcwd and kept
their fingers always tightly clutched
around the islands purse strings.
II is true that the American Cubar
is the Cuban at his best; that the Gu
ban in Cuba is weak in many things
This, however. does rot argue incapac-
ity. 1t simply testifles to the blight
of long-continued oppression. Cuba
under Spanish rule has been kept dark
in ignorance and in every way stunted
in opportunity. 1t was not SPANS
policy to encourage the mental devel.
opment of the Cuban people. She has
deliberately obstructed this. An edu.
Gated Cuban meant a formidable foe
An ignor orant Cuban meant a helpless
victim. The elasticity of the Cubar
temperament and, above all, the natur-
al quickness of the Cuban intellect
furnish to fair. minded students of this
problem satisfactory guarantee that
With Spain's hold relaxed the popula.
tion of Cuba will spring forward alonr
the lines of creditable development
with a rapidity which will inspire
amazement in this country.
This is the almost uniform testimony
of Americans who have lived in Cubf
and studied the native Cuban at frs
hand. Senator Proctor confirms it il
the speech which he prepared after eX
haustive inquiry throughout the island
The conduct of the insurrec.iOn attest'
it. Never had an uprising to start un
der greater disadvantages or to con
tinue in the face of greater odds. Ye
the insurgents have out-generaleC
Spain on the battlefield and out-man
oeuvered her in the circles of diplo
macy. The iunta at New York ha
shown qualities of shrew dness, execu
tive ability, patience and pluck tha
"a l,f 20 n,
earth. and its members are merely rep
resentative Of the class, who woul
gov ern Cuba under independence.