The times., 1899-01-05
THURSDAY. JANUARY ;, 1899


No Cuban Resistance.
There will be 10 trouble with the Gu
bans. The cali 10 arms Of Maxine Co
ulez is merely laughed at by a majority
OF the former Cuban army, which aban-
duned him months ago. Before the
Americans tock Up the cause of the island
ers, General Garcia refused to serve under
that commander and after the capture OF
Santiago he resigned his commission be
cause Gomez was SIN allowed the rank
Of general chief. Gemez never had the
interests Of Gaia at heart except so far as
they were in harmony with his personal
ambition. He went into the war with the
idea uf becoming dictator and made this
so apparent that he lest the confidence and
respect CT the army, 10th cficers and men.
While they fought for freedom he fought
for Gomez. Knowing that American in
tcrvention meant . Tepgblic, he opposed it
from start 10 finish ard refused 10 aid the
American expedition in the capture Of San
tiago Garcia, the high minded patriot,
gathered what followers he could. made
his way to the coast and placed himself at
th. command Of General Miles. Gomez,
with the greater part OF his army, alleged
to number more than thirty thousand,
concealed himself in the hills far away
from the scene Of strife and attempted to
poison the minds Of his soldiers against
the Americans. When Spain was defeated
he assumed the role OF a dictator and dis
gusted his soldiers to such degree that
they left him with hardly a corporal's
guard.
There is reason TO think he has bsen
inspired by the Cuban Junta in this coun-
try to organize a force 10 resist American
administration. The members OF the
Junta. who have failed TO give expression
to any sort OF gratitude for the service
rendered to Cubs by this nation, .-e also
politicians wEo had hope OF extraordi-
nary power through the complete inde-
pendenee Of the island. General Garcia
was the one great leader who had no sell
FISH aims. The masses Of the people b.
gan to recognize the sincerity Of his pat
riotism, and in spite OF the Vaccinations
Of the self-seelsing demagogues he was
made the president Of the first oonven-
tion and was intrusted with mission TO
gogues would have been routed. His in
fuence still survives among the people.
Most of the Cuban soldiers, too, have
realized that has policy was The best for
Cuba, and, knowing his contempt loc
Gomez. the latter's cali falls on deaf ears.
The people have seen that General Wood.
at Santiago. has had no other purpose
than to administer public affairs fo- the
exclusive benefit Of the municipality.
The American officers at Havana will
soon impress them with the same disinter-
ested ambition. Against the facts no dem
agogue with desire TO repeat the early
experience OF the South American repub-
Iics-a succession OF revolutions, with rival
politicians seeking the profits and honors
Of dIctatorship-can make any headway.
Cuba is dedicated to freedom. 1t will have
republican form Of government, adminis-
tered exclusively for the people and by
the people whether its ultimate fate is
insular Independence or annexation In
any event, Cubsns will rule will fill the
offices, as far as they show themselves ca
pable, and it will need 10 iron hand TO
suppress rebels. The people will make re-
bellion impossible by refusing to follow
Gomez, even though he is backed by 4
iunta.
The worst that is 70 be feared is from
the power exercised by an incompetent and
discredited Secretary OF War. President
Mckinley is trifiing with his popularity in
retaining in so important an Office a man
who is not merely incompetent. He has
too much power over the concessions and
revenues OF Cuba. The work done by
General Wood al Santiago has been OF more
value in winning the confidence OF the peo-
pie than any proclamations of the Presi-
dent. His dependence has been on the Gus
toms revenues, which Alger. for some mys-
terious reason, and to the surprise of every
member Of the Cabinet. has ordered to be
sent TO Havana. As long as AIger has au-
thority American administration is in dan
ger Of disgrace.