New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-16
THE CUBAN MANIFESTO.

There is much 10 commend and 10 be grateful
for IN the address to the Cuban people which
has Just been put forth by the sO-called Pro
visional Government Of the Republic of Cuba.
1t comes rs clear sane and more or less au-
thorita,ve voice amid the babel-clamor OF IRE
sponsihle tongues which has arisen since the
beginning of the campaign nj Santiago. Its
statements Of fact arc direct. explicit and gen
orally accurate Its arguments are logical rather
than rhetorical. Its tone is sincere and manly.
II must command respect. even II II does not in
variahy produce conviction. Ii IS. in fine.
document worthy Of serious men engaged In
serious enterprise and charged with serious re-
epcnsib;litos and IL may we'll serve as con-
spicuous chapter Of the historic record and as
factor in the supreme problem Of Cubas final
fate
The Cuban leaders frankly confess that they
owe their devcrance from Spanish domination
to the intervention of the United States. Left
to their own devices they would probably have
won in the end. but tine end would have been
far postponed and the wealth and population OF
the island would have been all hut aDnih!lated.
They also testify that In intervening the United
States did not recognize the validity OF their
Government. nor express any intention OF es'ab-
fishing 1t in power That is quite different
from some recent injudcious likenngs OF the
conduct Of the United States toward Cuba with
that OF France toward the United states In our
Revolutionary War They appreciate the fact
that the United States did rot intervene In their
spccitic behalf. nor for the purpose or putting
them in power but in behalf of humanity and
for the purpose Of establishing government
equitable and acceptable TO the whole. or
majority Of the whole. population Of the Island.
srhe signers OF this manifesto probably consider
themselves to he such government. but they
properly refrain from putting forward any such
prctcnson
A sentence Of the manifesto Is well worth
quoting as II stands: The intention OF the
United States was that as soon as the OBJ
"stacle of Spanish rule had been removed, the
whole Cuban people should choose a govern
"ment that would shape the destinies Of the ISL
and" II to that we add the proviso that such
government should accord with United States
principles of equity and order and should ex-
hiblt reasonable assurance OF stability and Of
fectiveness. II becomes perfectly comprehen-
sIvc and accurate statement Of the case. Moth
ing could more satisfactorily refute tho claim.
injudiciousy made by some. that this Govern
ment should instantly turn the control OF the
islnnd over 10 the Cuban Army. or provisional
Government" or at least admit the latter to
Joint control II Is a matter Of obvious record
that Spanish rule has not yet been fully re-
moved that the whole Cuban people" are not
yet n determined fact. since 1t is not known
how many or how few Of the Spanish residents
will elect 10 remain In the island. and that no
such government ms is demanded has been. or
indeed could have been. chosen. Until these
three things are accomplished the United States
must exercise sole control.
Nor do these members OF the provisional