Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-28

iUIRDI M tDNiii IDNS fN u bi'
The statement of Postmaster General
Charles Emory Smith in regard to the
improved conditions in Cuba under
American administration will be ac-
ccptcd as authoritative. Mr.. Smith
found that at Havana there has been an
enormous change of sanitary conditions
and he said that no one can begin to
appreciate, without personal obscrva-
ton, what has been accomplished by
American Intervention in the saving oil
life and the improving of health condi-
tiOns. He spoke in most complimentary
terms of the work that has been done
by General Brooke and his associates.
The governor general, he said, has been
deliberate, considcratc ana well poised
and at the same time he has been firm
and decided. He has carefully gathered
the best information from the most
trustworthy sources and has applied 1t
TO present conditions with excellent
Judgment.
The thing now needed, said the post
master general, is n general understand
ing that these conditions are to continue.
Uncertainty as to the future retards
development and prevents the growth
of a feeling of security. In the opinion
of Mr.. Smith it should be understood
that the United States will remain long
enough in the island, whatever time
may be necessary, to bring about the
creation of a new government of such
n
confidence and support, because fully
capable of assuring perfect peace and
order and the full administration of law
and Justice. Other intelligent observers
have expressed n like view. CORE
spondent of the New York Evening
Post, who remarked that military and
civil government are in equally indeti-
mite operation, says it is for the United
States to say what it proposes to DO
with the island and then to send man
there authorized and empowered to
carry out that plan in its details. This
correspondent expresses the belief that
fixed period of ten years, or even five
years, of American control, under some
just and capable governor, would prove
Il time of vastly helpful adjustment, re-
construction and education for the
Cuban people. Such a course, he urges.
could be followed with no violence to
the pledges made to Cuba and to the
world by the American nation. During
| the period so occupied there would be
much of development and at its close a
decision for the future could be reached
with a degree of judgment and sanity
| impossible at the present time.
There can be no doubt that many Of
| the Cuban people, perhaps n majority
| of them, are not now capable of self
government. OF those who are not
many have confidence that an independ-
| ent government would be stable. 1t is
manifestly the duty of the United
| States to prepare the people for self
government and how much time will be
required to accomplish this it is inn
possible to determine. The probability
is that the process will be slow and
somewhat troublesome. But whatever
| the demands upon our patience. they
must be faithfully met. This nation is
not only sacredly pledged to give Cuba
an independent government, but to see
that such government is established or
a secure and stable basis and whether
it takes one year or ten to accomplish
this we cannot honorably avoid the re
sponsibility.
1t is gratifying to know that already
conditions in Cuba are greatly improved
but there is Il vast work yet to be don,
before the people can be left to wori
out their own destiny.