The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-02-03
FRIDAY. FEBRUARY ,. 1899.
An Executive Achievement.

We heartily congratulate President Nc
Kinley upon the success of his effort 10
conciliate General Gomez and TO secure the
active cooperation of that influential Lead
er in the reconstruction of Cuba As
rule. qnarreIs originate rather in misun-
Outstanding than anything else, and 1t
seems certain that. if the old revolutionary
general in chief has lately entertained the
suspicious of American good faith at
tribu;ed 10 him, and has been disposed to
make impossible demands, his attitude has
been completely changed by the straight
forward proposition and the manly assur-
ances OF the President, recently cOmmuni-
Gated through MIR. Robert p. Porter.
Judging from the news. General Gomez
no longer sulks like Achilles in his tent,
but is prepared 10 assist our authorities,
with his service and influence, in procur-
ing the disbandment of the Cuban armed
force still in the field, and their return TO
The pursuits of peace As evidence of his
sincerity il is reported that he wishes that
the three million dollars which President
Mckinley is allowed to use in helping the
Cuban soldiers shall be turned over TO
General Brooke for distribution. This
the alleged desire of Gomez TO make a
speculation out OF the necessities OF his
men.
Mr. Mckinley has won handsomely in
this matter of diplomacy, and we are in
clined TO think that his private envoy,
Mr. Porter. is entitled 10 some of the
credit for the results of his mission.
more delicate situation than the one the
President has had TO handle in the case,
would be hard 10 imagine.
Congress declared that the people of
Cuba are and of right ought to be. free
and independent" The United States pro-
.ceeded with force and arms TO make them
SO: but. having accomplished the expul-
sion of Spain from Cuba and the Western
Hemisphere. il became necessary to treat
the island as a ward. until its people
could crystalline themselves into a modern
state. with all the circumstances of good
order, good government, and the demon
strafed ability 10 establish and maintain
internal peace and to assume international
responsibilities. Until they could do so
fully and safely, the United States, as
great intervening and guaranteeing power,
and temporary control Of the country. In
cidentally. it was unavoidable that our
Government should take over the island
revenues, indemnify itself for the cost of
administration as far as possible, and as
sumo the task of promoting and assuring
free and independent republic, estab-
lshed upon principles and provided with
means and agencies sufficient TO constitute
the future free Cuba a desirable neighbor
and American ally
The work of accomplishing all this, so
far. has been thrown upon the executive
branch of the United States Government
and chiefly upon its head. President Nc
Kinley He has had TO make bricks with
out straw in the connection. The War
Department. which should have been his
efficient and reliable arm in carrying out
4 policy necessltated by the fact of mill
tary occupation, has been paraiyzed. I'm
der its present organization and control
it is execrated at home and regarded with
contempt abroad. Even the reliance he
ought 10 have been able to place upon the
Navy Department has been minimized by
the discredit into which ii has fallen by
reason Of the despicable scandal OF Samp-
sonism In short, what Mr. Mckinley has
won in the way of pacifying Cuba has re-
suited from his own individual diplomacy
and good. honest sense, and absolutely in
spite of the corrupt people and influences
that, unhappily, surround him.
Nevertheless he seems to have satisfied
the Cubans that, although we have taken
their land and income under control for a
time, it has been done for the greater
good OF their island and humanity. With
simple good faith and success, he appears
10 have carried out the programme which
every patriotic American had in mind
when We went TO war to free Cuba from
the unutteTsble hellishness of Spanish
rule. He is entitled 10 the credit and
glory Of his achievement, and to the admi-
ration OF his feIlow-citizens and of the
whole world because of his course in this
respect.