The evening times., 1899-04-10
About Cubr.


exiled by the Secretary of War and the
Adjutant General, has returned to Wash
ington. He is here in time TO appear be-
fore the Court of Enquiry. Whether Sec
retary Alger authorized his return or
whether he has exercised his own discre
tion, the Secretary being absent from his
posi-. is not known. He speaks freely Of
conditions in Cuba and his ideas are
worth attention.
He has no fear that there will be any
serious resistance TO American administra-
tion. but he is sure there will be endless
trouble and violence as soon as our troops
are withdrawn. What would follow, Gen.
eral Breckenridge does not say, but We may
accept the opinion of a foreign represen-
rative at Havana that if, after this country
turns the government over to the Cubans,
there is the insurrection against the au-
rhorities which we have every reason TO
fear. the fleets of European nations would
be in Havana Harbor in a short time and
Il prOtectorate established.
Whether it is possible for the Americans
to fit the Cubans for self fgovernment-to
form a stable government that shall have
the support of all the people. so
that insurrection under the leadership of
the ambitious adventurers who are
now so noisy and aggressive will be i'm
pnssible-is a question that is hard
to answer. The chances seem rather
against it. General Gomez, according to
General Breckinridge, is ambitious to be
the Bolivar of Cuba; but those who are
fighting him now will continue to oppose
him. They will surely attempt to over
throw any government which does not rec
ognize their claims to Office. 1t is simply
Il question as 10 whether the people will
divide or will give their allegiance to the
government.
General Breckenridge is severe in his
criticism Of the American policy. While we
have improved the island immeasurably we
are doing nothing TO educate the people in
lfgovernment. They are merely under
military rule. They are restless because
they have no voice in their own govern
ment. and will become rhbre so after the
excitement of the distribution of the three
million dollars is over. Gomez will in
crease the dissatisfaction by demanding
early independence. There has been no
census and no steps toward a constitution
al convention. Our soldiers are enforcing
Spanish laws on which are grated Ameri-
can ideas, resulting in confusion. We are
doing nothing to make communication be-
tween different parts of the island less Diff
icult. although We might employ the idle
people whom we are pauperizing by free
Iations, in the making of good roads,
That the people would vote two to one
IN favor of annexation is the firm conyic-
tion of General Breckinridge. They fear.
and apparently not without cause. that
when the American army evacuates the ISL
and they will be ruled by the eight or ten
Thousand former insurgent soldiers, no
matter what sort of government we set up.
Ii has been assumed that the Americans
will be in no haste to leave Cuba: that the
first purpose has been to establish good
order. which is virtually achieved; 10 get
rid of the worst effects of long mal-ad-
by cleaning the cities and re-
moving the conditions most favorable 10
epidemic diseases: to reform the judicial
system and introduce American ideas; to |
and train municipal and rural DO i
lice: 10 gradually place municipal admin |
in the hands of citizens: to start
the idle 10 work. and restore the power of |
self support; TO establish free schools, etc. |
To do all these things requires years. 1t |
was supposed that a full understanding of /
this by the Cubans would make them pa- |
tient under the benefcent rule of this |
Government But whether they are or not. !
our duty to carry out the programme is |
imperative. We cannot, in the best inter- |
ests of Cuba, of our own country. and of |
the foreign nations that are concerned |
for the safety of their citizens resident |
there. abandon the island until 1t is posi- |
Tive the government we institute can main
tain itself The people are not competent |
TO govern themselves, especially when
there are the effects of centuries of mis- |
rule and ignorance TO be overcome. For |
this reason there need be no haste in car |
rying out the suggestions of General
Breckenridge about elections and consti-
utional conventions. There will be time
enough for that ten years hence.
II. however, the Cuban leaders are too
.ager for independence TO give their hearty
support to our efforts; il they are to pay
more attention to politics than to bread
then We should bring the issue
If annexation to a vote. They must SUBJ
nit patiently to our rule until It is Ger