New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-10
THE CUBAN SITCATION.

The extinction of the so-called Assembly of
Cuba and the designation Of Gomez as Gen
eral.in. Chief by the other Generals Of the Cuban
Army remove sources Of irritation which might
have become serious. The mischief plotters
are not dead nor silenced, 1t is true, but are de-
prved of a great part of their power to cause
trouble. II as individuals or through organiza-
ton of clubs they manifest too active hostility
to the authority Of the United States they can
be handled by the military force without giving
them opportunity to pretend that they repre-
sent either the revolutionary army or the peo-
pie Of Cuba While the largest liberty OF speech
is permitted In the United States all property
under military rule exclusively has to he gov
erned entirely according to the discretion OF
the Commander-in-Chief How far he may see
fit to permit anybody to foment hostility TO the
United States, its Army, its officers or It's au-
thority, kndlng individual feelings and Gre
ating organizations which may disturb the
peace and cause the sacrifice of the lives OF
United States soldiers in maintaining order, Is
question which at any moment the President
has power to decide
The principal usefulness OF the appointment
Of General Gomez to command a dlsbandlng
army is to fill place in which some other man
might have made mischief. When he has dis
missed the force and remains commander Of
nobody 1t will rest with him TO represent be-
fore any Cuban government which may here
after be formed the Just claims Of the lighting
men he has commanded, and 1t is to his credit
that be has sharply distinguished between
them and the political aspirants who have pa
raded about as leaders Of the revolutionary
movement. 1t Is conceivable that General
Gomez himself may give the Government some
inconvenience. He appears to be somewhat
narrow, stubborn and Inclined to think that
his ideas are right and others wrong. He
speaks with much emphasis about the need OF
getting the American forces out Of the island
at an early day. and may believe that the day
has come when, In the judgment Of the Pres-
dent. there is no Independent government ex
listing or as yet possible in Cuba.
All this is conceivable. but need occasion no
anxiety General Gomez would not be permit
ted, any more than Sanguily or any other lead
err to stir up resistance to American authority.
He could not call out his old soldiers or raise
new bands without putting himself at the first
step in armed resistance to the military power
What he can do is to urge that the people Of
Cuba have opportunity to express by their votes
deliberate decision whether they wish to es
tablish an Independent government. That op-
portunty the President presumably intends to
give as soon as the condition Of the country
makes it proper But in all probability General
Gomez will find that a controlling majority Of
his own people oppose and will vote down at
any time in the near future every proposal to
disturb all business and industries by a new
period Of contention and uncertainty before the
country has had time to settle itself to new
conditions.
It was said with perfect truth by one OF the
shrewdest foreign representatives in Cuba that
II the island should at any time be abandoned
by the United States forces, without any gov
eminent recognized as competent in place OF
the United States to preserve order and enforce
respect for International obligations. the fleets
OF foreign nations would be found in Cuban
harbors within few hours. Duty to their sub
tects residing and holding property In Cuba
would compel foreign Powers to prepare at once
10 defend their rights against any form Of law
less outbreak The inhabitants Of Cuba would
be poweress. Neither in number nor In re-
sources could they hope TO he able TO resist for
eign aggression for long time to come Thus
no government can come into existence which
the United States does not Judge capable and
deserving. nor can any other government OBJ
tain from the United States the recognition
and protection which would enable II TO main
tain itself II General Gomez does not yet see