Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-30
pANGER SIGNS Isl CUBA.


DANGER SIGNS IN CUBA.
Our zeal I'm the cause OF the Cuban pa
triots Is beginning to bring forth Just the
fruit many Of those best acquainted with
the Cuban character predicted IT would
bring forth long before an American SOL
der set foot on the island. That fruit
Is unrest among the natives and feeling
against the Americans that may culmi-
nate any day in an uprising.
Frequently during the agitation OF the
| question Of our interfering IN the Cuban
insurrection we were warned that the
patriots did not desire interference, ex-
cept in the matter OF their being sup
piled with arms. ammunition, and provis-
tons. They wanted the glory of expolling
the Spaniards from the island them
selves. and the spois of Office that would
be available after that was accomplish
ed. They feared that in case Of armed in
tervcntion they would be left in the
lurch as TO the latter and this fear was
not unmixed with a suspicion that should
We ever get a grip on Cuba we would
never let go.
But ont Of the abundance Of our zeal
we had things our own way; we inter-
ferod with our army and navy. were the
victors. and in large measure have been
reapng the reward that is popularity sup
posed to belong to the victor class. IT
matters not that the necessities Of the
situation may have demanded that such
should be the case. The fact remains that
the fear alluded to has been In great de-
gree realized: and, as we know, this has
caused many mutterlngs of discomfort.
Now the suspicion that was mingled
with the fear has been strengthened. and
there IS reason to apprehend that we arc
in danger Of being confronted with seri-
Gus tumult in Cuba. Recently the matter
Of appointing a civil governor for the
island has been agitated. and the propo-
| sition, we are informed on good authori-
ty has not only provoked violent protest.
but revived the spirit of rebellion" and
! led 10 clamor for Immediate indepen-
dence" Cuban agitators, presumably men
who have been disappointed in getting
the spoils of office, are teaching the ne
|
lieve that the institution of American
| civil government would mean permanent
| American control Of the island. and 1t
IS stated that these lower orders"-the
negroes and white iuiterates-who COM
posed the rank and file of the patriot
army. are drilling and displaying as
much enthusiasm for freedom" as they
exhibited while Cuba was under the
| Spanish yoke.
And, in our view. the agitators make a
strong point When we recall the his
| tory of the Cuban resolutions. II is clear
that the appointment Of a civil governor
for Cuba would be a long step of pre-
paration for violating our pledge to the
! Cuban insurgents, and the world at large.
and which is summed up in the fourth.
| or Davis, resolution. That resolution was
recognized as barrier against annexa-
ton or permanent control Of the island.
IL was introduced for the purpose OF
bringing the annexationists 10 book. and
| forcing them TO put themselves on record
against depriving the Cubans Of autono-
my. But for the fourth. or Davis, reso-
luton, that question would have been
left open. The other resolutions were fun
of lOOpholes The fourth resolution reads:
THAT the United States hereby dis
| claim any disposition or intention to ex-
orcise sovereignty. jurisdiction. or con-
| troll over said island, except for the paci-
fication thereof; and assert their deter
mination when that is accomplished TO
leave the government and control Of the
| island to its people"
| 1t may be that the talk about a civil
| governor for Cuba is but a feeler: that
/ the proposition will go no further and
| that the present threatening condition
on the island will be overpassed without
our being compelled to resort to sum-
mary measures in order TO enforce re-
| spect for our guardianship" Still. the
manifestations that have resulted from
| broaching the proposition would seem
to show that the embers Of Instruction
and rebellion and distrust and hatred of
! the Americans are widespread over Cuba,
and need only a little tanning TO burst
into flame The developments in connec-
ton with the present movement prove
that the accomplishment of our mission
of pacifcation and the vindication Of our
zeal may be at the cost Of thousands Of
lives and untold treasure: and possibly
at the cost Of our persuading ourselves
TO betray Cuba by the benevolent as
sanitation" process-that is, by subju-
eating the people and Incorporating their
island into Mr.. McKinley's prospective
| imperial domain.