New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-11
TILE PROBLEM ABOUT CUBA.

The proposal to Establish civil government
In Cuba" which some Washington dispatches
describe with much more freedom than definite
ness involves questions not easy to answer. 1t
has lust been officially decided, in case con-
corning the revenue laws. that Cuba Is legally
n foreign country 1t is held by Executive au-
thorty only. ms any conquered territory would
be The definite expression Of that authority Is
n military government Whatever form Con.
grcss might establish or authorize, there ap-
pears TO be no power, in the absence Of any
action by Congress, to set up any form of FIX
ccutiye control excepting one Of an essentially
military character. In harmony with this view
II Will be noticed that plans under considera-
ton at Washington are described as intended
to set up a government more or less Cuban In
origin and character but yet under the military
control Of the United States Evidently no such
experiment can test the Cuban capacity for
self government. or cast light upon the ques-
ton whether the Cnban people, II left to them
selves. can establish and maintain govern
ment wholly to be depended upon in respect to
international obligations upon which the United
States is bound to insist, and in its freedom
and equal Justice worthy of protection by the
United States.
General Ludlow. than whom scarcely any
other man can be better qualified TO speak has
given much Information regarding the state of
things In Cuba The temper Of his mind
toward the Cubans may best be Judged by a
single pointed observation: "There Is no more
"lawlessness to-day in Cuba than anywhere
"else | never heard Of negro being burned
"at the stake in Cuba. nor have I heard Of any
"lynching bees" Yet, with 80 per cent Of the
population llliterate and the land owners still
unable, for lack Of money. TO start up indus
tries he holds that at will be long time be-
"fore the Cubans are entirely fitted for self
government" The process which he describes.
and evidently considers the only practicable
one involves civil organization by localities
under military supervision and aid" and he
says: "The work Of organizing a government
SIS going on as rapidly as may be- II will not
"be long before the whole island will be- COW
"ercd and In every portion the Cubans Will be
receiving lessons In practical way" This
seems an emlnently reasonable plan. and, as
outlined by the General, Is doubtless his con-
cepton of purposes at Washington. But 1t
differs very much from the various plans de-
scrbed In Washington dispatches as favored by
some members Of the Cabinet.
In the light Of General Ludlow's statement
It might be Inferred that any speedy test of
the capacity Of the Cuban people for sef-gov-
eminent would probably result In failure. or
else In an application for annexation with i'm
mediate territorial rights and prospect Of ad-
mission TO Statehood. Americans need TO be
warned at the outset regarding all plans which
tend In that direction. Before any essentially
Spanish State can be brought into the Union, to
exercise part Of the governing power over
100000 Americans, there will be a struggle
reaching far below party unss. and incompar.