The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-07
FHCTS ARE WANTED.
Things the American People Would
Like to Obtain from Cuba.

70 the Editor Of the Indianapolis Journal:
In view of what we have done for Cuba
and are now doing at very great sacrifice of
money and men, the American people want
to know definitely the size. mentally and
morally, of the average Cuban. They want
exact Information as to what extent the
Cuban conprehends and how gratefully he
appreciates the work of the United States IN
his behalf. Since the Spanish army has
been driven out that important and valuable
information is attainable. The ~tireless en-
terprise OF the American press met the de-
mand of the people when We were engaged
in the war with Spain, and the details Of
every momen were given every day. Then
their representatives could only go where
the army and the navy went. They were
only on the borders of the island, and the
movements of the armies and the ships, ard
the conflicts with the enemy were the topics
OF thrilling interest. Peace has her vic
tories as well as war; Now the press can
go anywhere in Cuba, can 80 to the villages
and towns, TO the farms and the work shops,
and take a full estimate of what the war
has left in Cuba and get the measure and
value OF the Cuban as a citizen. The time
has come when we should know
~ "a 0PSOAQlG 06A NA4A
there is any solid foundation upon which
a stable and safe republican form
of government can be erected.
We knew before the war about the fertility
of the soil of Cuba, the quantity and quality
of its sugar and tobacco production, and the
abundance and excellence of its fruits. Now
we wan TO know to a certainty the intel
ligence, the industry and the integrity of
the ordinary Cuban We must know more
of him before we invest any more in him.
We must have the information from honest
representatives of the American press, who
wi. give us the exact facts of the case by
close observation and contact with the Gu
bans at their homes. We want no letters
in the interest of corporations or reaI-eState
spectators. We want nothing written and
published for political effect or partisan pur-
poses. We want the truth. The people OF
this country are demanding a more satls-
factory reason for what we are doing and
for what we intend to do. We are paying
the taxes for the support Of a great army
for the protection OF the Cubans;. we are
furnishing rations by the million for their
poor; we are spending immense sums for
better sanitation in their cities; we are now
asked TO pay millions more for their alleged
army. Is there good GROUND for falth ana
hope that the blessings of civilization and
good government will come to Cuba as the
result OF our heroic ana humane Work :!
That will depend entirely ON what the COM
mon man in Cuba is-Whether there is a
middle class of intelligent men of sufficient
~A+bN - A4g4A III AilN NAtN EArFE N"ft
vicious class on the one hand, and on the
other hand to put down the military adven-
turers and the gathering denagogue.
1t is now clear that many of our senators
and members of the lower house knew moth
ing OF the facts in Cuba when they voted
to recognize the Cuban government, when
in truth no such thing existed. 1t seems TO
have been assumed that the insurgent bands
following Gomez were fighting for liberty,
and, as a consequence, were brOad-minded
patriots and knew what is meant by lib
erty regulated by law. Since we took pos
session of the island and have our men-of-
war in their harbOrS and our troops in the
camps and garrisons and the Spanish army
sent home. there is no longer any excuse
for the existence of the Cuban army. and
yet they refuse to disband and go home and
go to work to build up what the war has
torn down. The conduct of General Gomez
and his army is not reassuring. Still worse,
the threat is made that II we do not furnish
millions of money to pay this Cuban army
that many of them will turn bandits and
will create the same conditions of disorder
and lawlessness that prevailed during the
occupancy of Cuba by the Spanish army.
What guarantee have We, if we furnish the
money under such a threat, that when the
Cubans have spent the money we have paid
them, instead of going to work, they will not
again r~eorganiZe their army, and renew
their demands for more money? And then,
again, it does not give good promises for
the future of cub that every advanced
step General Brooke or General Wood makes
for the betterment Of Cuban conditions is
met with suspicion, and so far as they dare
with resistance, So far We have looked in
vain for earnest and hearty cooperation on
the part OF the Cubans in our efforts for the
elevation of their people and for the estab-
lishment of law and order. Is there no pub
lie sentiment in Cuba that, under proper
leadership, can be made effective in bringing
order out of chaos? Has this beautiful ISL
and no bold and patriotic spirit who will
come to the front and make his appeal to
the people to stand by US, the only friend
they have, so that in the end they will have
a good government and a peaceful and pros
porous country, These are the facts that
know. They want to know them now. If it
shall be found that a stable, Independent
government cannot exist in Cuba, then hui
manity will dictate that we must hold pos
session until that is assured. Let the
American press send their best men and give
us all the facts, so that the people and the
administration may be properly advised.
WILL CUMBACK.
Greensburg. Ind. Feb. 2.