Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-04-07
TWELVE PAGES
FRIDAY. APRIL 7. 1899.
CAN WE GOVERN OTHERS.

The question is not at all whether the
Cubans or the Filipinos are capable of
self government, or not. If it were
question, 1t is not for us to ask or an
swer: it is a question for every people,
at their own peril, to answer for them
selves. The pertinent and pressing
question is not only are we capable of
governing others, but have we any right
to do so? or can we do it. without de-
stroying our own self-government To
the first of these three questions, the
Washington Post responds as follows:
LIT seems probable, however that
there is some foundation for the I'M
pleasant rcports that reach us from
Havana-reports of blackmail and
cruelty and oppression by the police,
and of open and unbushing corruption
on the part of the new judiciary. The
press reports in yesterday mornings
papers agree in picturinG n most abomi-
nable condition of things in Havana.
Frivolous arrests, attempted extortion
or money, general revival of the in
communicate system, once denounced
by the insurgents as the most heinous
feature of Spanish tyranny-all these
are now said to form the policy of the
new Havana police, and to constitute
Its most formidable and characteristic
expression. 1t appears that not only
Spanish residents, but American WISH
tors and sojourners, are subjected daily
to these Infamous outrages. Men are
seized on the most frivolous pretexts
thrown into the most loathsome pris-
ons and there held secretly until they
pay money for their release. or the cap
tors growing alarmed, set them free
with curse and a. threat. In other
words. the insurgents now employed on
the Havana police force, through the
wisdom OF our official authorities in the
island. have resumed all the practices
or spoliation which they pursued up to
year ago In the character of Cuban
patriots, and our farce OF restoring law
and order has reached its culm!na ton
The correspondence and kilograms Of
the press fully sustain the Post In this,
and show general condition of dis
order. distress and discomfort. directly
traceable to the Encouragement of
Generals Brooke and Ludlow, and
which is increasing and spreading Mt q
rate that threatens to add n Cuban
war to our Philippine one. We cannot
justly undertake to say that Generals
Brooke and Ludlow are wholly or
greatly to blame for this; for no Amer
lean Is trained to the imperial tasks
imposed on these officers, and perhaps
the less ut one Is for such tasks. and
the more he falls in them, the more to
his honor. What business Is 1t OF theirs
to rule or control anybody, in time OF
peace. EXCEPT their own troops? The
answer will be that the Cubans now
need a military government, and that
the United States. being in possession.
after driving the Spaniards out, must
furnish this government;-and so Gene
rails Brooke and Ludlow have been or
dered to this work.
The necessity and duty are both as
sumed. There are no circumstances
that can even justify. much less de-
mand. that this Republic should aban
don the principles and professions it
has upheld and practiced for over a
century and grossly violate the funda-
mental law of liberty and sef-govern-
ment. that all the just powers of gov
eminent are derived only from the con-
sent Of the governed. The Cubans are
of different race, language. religion.
euucdtioH thu preeuiiB from us. ana
this is even more true of the Asiatic
Malays OF the Philippines; but IL we
look down upon them as interiors. unfit
to govern themselves. at least for the
time being, they regard us as the
Romans regarded the Northern bar
barians apd certainly cannot be forced
to learn self-government from us. at
such Q, time as this, by being deprived
~ if and snlliactAd to a harsh and