The times., 1899-07-16
SUNDAY, JULY 1s, 1899.
Depressing Cuban Prospects.

Possibly Brigadier General Wilson, Mill
tary Governor OF the Provinces of Matan-
zas and Santa Clara, has hit upon a prac-
tical idea for the relief of the growing ten
sion in Cuba. He is quoted as being op-
posed TO Governor General Brooke's policy
toward the farming element, intimating
that the latter's present determination to
apply the proceeds of the insular treasury
to the building of highways before giving
financial assistance 10 the farmers is get
ting the cart before the horse" What
General Wilson wants done is the purchase
by the Government of animals. wagons,
and general farming implements for free
distribution among the farmers. declaring
that there will be no use for railroads and
other improved means of transportation
and communication until the agricultural
element is given the means whereby their
productive energies may be utilized
This proposition seems to possess the
merit of common sense. however much it
may border on form of paternalism in
government very obnoxious 20 the doc
trineires at home But even II ii does con-
travene a governmental theory quite pre-
cious to a lusty and disputatious element
of Americans, we do not believe even
they would strenuously object TO a trial
of General wilson's proposition. The
feeling Is growing in the country that con-
ditions in Cuba must be speedily reduced
10 a system of social order 10 the end that
the Industrial activities of the people may
have the most favorable opportunity to
assert themselves. II is quite evident that
until this is done the situation in the ISL
and will continue TO grow more discourag
ing and sooner or later will reach that
stage where our relations with the Cubans
will have to be more definitely defined by
the results of military operations in the
field. 1t is, of course not certain that the
bulk Of the native population would go
hack TO the farms and begin work even IL
We should put the hoe into the hands Of
every able-bodied Cuban capable of WELD
ing it. But the experiment may be worth
the trial. 1t is certain that General
Brookes alleged policy of applying the
surplus revenues OF the island TO the con-
struction OF railroads and the general i'm
provement Of the highways is not what is
needed. and, as General Wilson says, is
putting the cart before the horse. Until
something is raised in the agricultural sec
tions of the island il would be foolish to
spend money as Brooke wants to spend
it, for this would only give the adventurous
and lndolent element of the people better
means TO move around the island in larger
bodies than are now harassing the mill
tary and other authorities.
To the end, therefore, of giving the
Cubans every opportunity to show that
they are capable of getting along by them
selves IL is hoped that common sense prop
prevail over theoretical policies such as
Brooke appears 10 be following with no sub
stantial evidence of benefit TO Cuba. There
can scarcely be room for doubt that politi-
cal conditions in the island-which seem
TO be about the only conditions" at
present-are rapidly growing worse.
Following close upon the heels of the
mutinous meeting which the military au-
thorities permitted to proceed without mo-
leststion in a theatre at Havana wednes-
Say night, comes a foolish address 10 the
Cubans, couched in highfown rhetoric and
sesigned solely TO fan the flames OF race
trejudice and Ignorance into fury against
the United States. The address was print
ed on leaflets and thousands OF them have
been distributed throughout the Island.
This address is only natural outcrop-
ping of the spirit OF hatred to Americans,
TO curb which nothing seems TO be done
by our properly constituted authorities in
Cuba. Unless it is very soon checked the
iron hand OF this country will have to be
invoked in order to protect the life and
property of resident Americans In such an
eventuality We would not dare to turn the
island over to the Cubans. In self-defenee
we should have to make Cuba United States
territory. At the present time the Cubans
themselves are Fastening this nossihiEty