The herald., 1898-08-13
TO TEST THE CUBANS
WILL BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO
FORM A REPUBLIC
But Uncle Sam Will Hold the Strings
Until Satisfied With the New
Government

NEW YORK, Aug. 12.-A special to the
Times from Washington says:
Careful observers of Cuban conditions,
who have been consulted by the admins
tration concerning the course to be follow
ed in that island to bring good order and
good feeling, are Of the opinion. and have so
expressed themselves to the President, that
the announcement of Spain's withdrawal
and the assumption Of temporary control
by the United States will be followed by
something like the demonstration Of ap-
proval that has been given in Porto
Rico to the hosting of the Stars and
Stripes. Said one Of the gentlemen. IN
discussing the problem of establishing a
good government:
when 1t Is fully known in Cuba that
Spain's authority is at an end, thousands
Of men who have chung to the hope that
Spain would retain her supremacy will
gladly turn to the government that will
assure the stability that loyal Cubans
trusted that Spain would yet give to the
government of the island. do not believe
that this loyalty was so sentimental that
the Cubans of Spanish incAnations will
abandon their homes their property, their
families and all they have and rush back
to Spain. These Spanish-Cubans consti-
tute the better part Of the business CON-
munity of Cuba. They have had little to
say about the government. That has been
essentially peninsular and latterly alto
gether military. They have no desire to
Cypress or abuse the Cubans, who have
sympathized with the insurgents. Few of
them will cherish any animosity toward
the late insurgents. The insurgents, the
loyal Cubans fear, may not be quite so will
ing to let bygones be bygones. There are
many politicians among them, and they
ish those who would not help them VIXEN
they were most in need Of encouragement"
The administration will be prepared i'm
medfately after the cessation of hostilities
and the beginning Of the evacuation, to
hear of reports from Cuba not unlike those
sent from Ponce and Yauco. of the cordial
welcome Of the flag and the authority Of
the United States. Should this turn ou.
to be the case, the problem in Cuba will
be greatly simplified. If the free people
Of Cuba, left to their own inclinations by
Spain. manifest decided determination to
get along without internal strife, the ad-
ministration will be encouraged to hope
that the resolution Of Congress distinctly
waving any intention on the part of the
United States to annex the island may be
adhered to.
The expectation is that as towns are
abandoned by the troops of General Blanco
and civil authorities are afforded opportun-
ity to speak freely. common anxiety to
have some authority that will maintain
order as between the former Spanish adj
herents and the forcible rebellion, will lead
to requests for the presence of troops of
the United States and the hoisting Of the
United States flag.
Some persons look for similar demonstra-
lions in favor of the United States authori-
ties to those made In Porto Rico, and not
a few acquisitions for United States flags
to supply the Cuban demand.
Should this feeling prevail among the
Cubans as we'll as among the Spanish,
the pacificaton and entire freedom of the
island will be not far off. The administra-
ton would be gratifed If the Cubans should
show so clear a capacity for taking their
own affairs in hand without trying to
even up old scores with the rifle and
machete.