The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-06
THE CUBAN PROBLEM.

THE CUBAN PROBLEM.
It Is evident that the situation in Cuba
is far from being satisfactory. The Gu
ban people are without a leader in whom
they have confidence. They are doing
nothing apparently to help themselves.
They appear to be waiting for the United
States to take care of them-to provide
them with food aud TO furnish the money
with which to restore their ruined planta-
lions. Gen Gomez is the head of their
army. or what is called their army. 1t is
doubtful, however, if there is any organ
lied body of Cubans worthy of the name
Of an army. When Mr. Porter, the agent
Of the President, visited Gen. Gomez the
other day. he found that the Cuban gem
eral had only about 400 men with him.
There are 5000 or 1000 men who have
been connected with the army at one time
or another since the beginning of the re-
volt against the authority of Spain, but
the great majority of them, it is believed,
do not recognize the authority of the men
who were once their officers. But they are
not working or doing anything to assist
in building up the island. They are SIM
ply picking up a living in any way they
can get it. 1t is estimated by good author
ny that they constitute at least half of
the able bodied men of the island. APP
parently the great majority OF them do
not intend 10 work for a living. They are
expecting that the United States will pay
them for the time they served in the Gu
ban army, and, according TO their calcu
lations, they will have enough money to
live upon until something else turns up,
exactly what they do not know. The
thought that they must work on the sugar,
tobacco and coffee plantations does not
seem to have place in their minds.
According to our dispatches the agree
ment that Gen. Gomez has made with
President Mckinley, namely, that the Gu
ban army shall receive 100000 from the
United States and disband, is not accept
able to many of the leading Cubans. and
it is not acceptable to any of the common
soldiers, in all probability. who are ex
pecting very much more than they will
get under that arrangement.
The Americans are cleaning up the cities
building roads, esta blishing post routes and
enforcing order. What are the Cubans do
ing? AS far as reports inform US they are
doing nothing. Those who have money are
enjoying themselves. They are giving din
ners, attending the theaters and driving
in their carriages. No one seems TO be
deeply concerned about the future. None
of them appears to be earnestly striving
to put the island on the road to prosper
ity. Those of the poor who are not be-
ing fed by our government are on the
verge of starvation. The railroads and
about all other things of value are being
grabbed by syndicates composed of Eng
lishmen or Americans.
What is to be the outcome? That is
a question that is being very seriously ask
ed in this country, and by thoughtful
Americans in Cuba. The lack of real pa
triotism among the people, in view of the
efforts which were made for freedom, is
surprising. Can it be possible that the
people of influence and wealth, those who
ought to take the lead in restoring pros
perity are in their hearts in favor Of an
nexation to this country?
The sentiment for independence Is strong
among the common people, but are they
aggressive enough to control the situa-
ton? 1t would not be at all surprising
If the demand for annexation should be
strong-so strong as to be irresistible
before it will be possible to withdraw our
army without endangering the peace of
the island. And there appears TO be some
ground for saying that Cuba will not
again have her full measure of prosperity
until the sugar tobacco and coffee plan
tations are owned and managed by Ameri-
cans.