The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-12-01

The administration of President Nc
Kinley should be thanked AMI congratu-
lated If the intelligence given by the
Associated Press dispatches from Wash
ington is correct That intelligence is
to the effect that Gen. Woods recon-
mendation that a certain proportion of
the troops now doing duty in Cuba shall
be recalled has been adopted by Secre-
tary Root.
No one will deny that the laboring oar
of Cuban administrative work fell to Gen.
Wood as soon as peace was declared. AS
governor Of the province of Santiago de
Cuba, he has brought order cut of civil
chaos, has transformed the conditions
of urban life in Santiago, and has ma
terialIy aided in bringing peace, employ
ment and contentment to the people of
that province, who before were narrowed
alike by war and pestilence
While many representatives Of the ma
tional administration in high station were
engaged in a campaign for the purpose of
securing the ultimate annexation Of the
island, having been engaged in doing
all in their power to create the convic-
ton that nothing short of permanent
annexation would effect a restoration of
responsible control in the island. Gen.
Wood has gone about his work, and has
done it in such manner as to gradually
place the representative Of the Cuban
people in control in public position. and
to educate the people into familiarity
with the duties which will devolve on
them when they have been placed in
control Of their own political destinies.
He has always insisted on the ability of
the Cubans of Santiago to take the re-
sponsibilities Of public place on their
shoulders, and on the obligation Of his
government to withdraw from the island
at the earliest possible moment. The
national administration should not be de-
MED all the credit of having maintained
such man at the head of affairs In
Santiago.
We have set about taking a reliable
census of Cuban population. That is
the first essential to the inauguration
of responsible government among the
people. 1t was among the very first
things done by the founders of our own
government when our people took control
CT the political destinies of the former
colonies. With the census complete there
will be q statistical basis for intelligent
conclusions as to the future government
Of the island which could be secured in
no other way. With the withdrawal Of
all of our military forces from the island
save those necessary to cooperate with
the Cuban rural guard, the taking of a
complete census and the appointment Of
Gen Wood or some other capable man
as civil governor of the island, the work
OF transition from American to Cuban
control will have advanced so far as
that its completion must be a mere mat
ter of time and detail
The fullest and fairest Opportunity
should be given to the Cuban people to
say whether or not they desire annexa-
tion to the United States. Such an op-
portunity could not exist with a large
force Of American soldiery on the island
and without any adequate means, such
as the census will afford. Of securing an
honest expression of the popular will.
No act rejecting more honorably on
the country with reference to the Cubar
people or of greater advantage politically
to the present administration can be done
at this time than the appointment of Gen.
Wood as civil governor of the entire ISL
and