Omaha daily bee., 1899-02-26

The condition Of affairs in Cuba Is
confesscdly not so satisfactory rs could
be desired, but there does not appear to
he in the situation anything to warrant
the opinion expressed by n United
States senator, i'm a speech on the army
reorganization bill, that after a while
we shall have war with the Cubans.
There Is an element in Cuba which does
not look with favor upon American
who do not think well of our admins
tration of affairs and criticise the an.
thorties for not having employed more
Cubans in the public service. More or
less dissatisfaction exists because this
government would not pay the Cuban
soldiers what they thought themselves
entitled to. Revolutionary organiza
tions are still maintained, whose purpose
is to foster and promote popular discon-
tent and creaIe sentiment unfriendly to
American authority. Men ambitious
to secure power are doubtless indus
trlously at work stirring up strife and
the spirit of revolt.
All this was to have been expected,
yet 1t Is by no means certain that the
discontented and dissatisfied elements
constitute a majority of the people,
while the more influential Cubans are
not in sympathy with them. The more
intelligent citizens, the business class,
the conservative people of the island,
are not averse to American control.
They realize its absolute necessity in
order to bring about complete paciica-
tion and to enable the Cuban people to
form and put in operation an inde-
pendent government These elements,
if they do not constitute a majority of
the people, are undoubtedly the most
influential and their influence, there is
reason TO believe, is being earnestly
and effectively exerted. On their side
they have the evidence of Improvement
that has taken place under American
control they can point to the fact that
affairs are being honestly admins
tered and that the principles of justice
are respected. These things appeal to
the better sense of the people, whereas
the malcontents appeal to passion and
prejudice. We have sufficient conf
dence in the average intelligence and
common sense of the Cuban people to
believe that conservative counsel will
prevail Patience and forbearance are
necessary, coupled with a fair and firm
enforcement Of law, and If these are oh
served there will not be any serious
IN wifi bo Cnh
The attention and courtesy shown by
the American military authorities TO
General Gomez should have good ef-
feet upon the people, whose affection
for the veteran soldier is strong and
deep. 1t was admirable tact on the
part of Governor General Brooke and
General Ludlow in giving the consider
alton they did to Gomez and it cannot
fail to make q most favorable impress
sion upon Cubans generally. The peo-
pie of Cuba have the most ample as
surance of the purpose of the United
States to faithfully carry out the prom
ise to give peace and order to the island
aid them in establishing an inde-
pendent government and then leave
them to take care of themselves. This
may not be accomplished in the very
near future, but there can be no doubt
as to its ultimate attainment. The
masses of the Cuban people, we conf
IDENTITY believe, will not permit the reali-
zation of their aspiration for independ-
ence to be jeopardized or long delayed
by the breeders of discomfort and dis
satisfaction. They will heed the coun-
sci of those conservative men whose
sacrifices in behalf of Cuban liberty en-
title them to be heard and who are the
only true friends of Cuba.