Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-02

No representative Of this government
in Cuba is better qualified to advise in
regard to a policy for the Island than
General F~itzhugh Lee. His long service
as consul general made him thoroughly
familiar with the character Of the PEG
pie and his military relations with them
have increased his knowledge Of their
capacity and needs,
General Lee Is the only officer In Cuba
who has as yet responded to the request
or the War department for reports on
the conditions there and 1t IL stated that
his report gives n gratifying statement
Of affairs In the provinces Of Havana
and Pinar del Rio. Its chief interest,
however, IS I'm the suggestions submit
ted in regard to the course this gov
eminent should pursue toward the
island. General Lee thinks there should
be established In Cuba an Independent
republican government, but under the
care or supervision Of the United States
until It's stability vas assured. He evil
IDENTITY has no confidence in the capacity
Of the Cubans at present to successfully
administer a government If left wholly to
themselves, yet he does not advise delay
In forming an independent government.
In regard to the suffrage he suggests
that 1t should receive careful considera-
ton, implying that it would not be wise
to make 1t universal at the outset. This
very likely represents the general opin-
ion among our military officers In Cuba
who have given the matter intelligent
attention and 1t finds warrant in the
fact that more than so per cent of the
native Cubans canno read and write.
If these illiterates are permitted to par
ticipate in forming a government they
will be the mere tools of the politicians
and political generalization would prob
ably result.
But can the United States consistently
deprive any of the Cuban people Of the
right OF suffrage? Recognizing here the
principle of universal suffrage, is not
our government bound to accord it to
the people of Cuba? Moreover, having
made no reservation In Il pledge to
those people that they should have self
government when pacihcation should be
accomplished, can we now fairly say to
any portion of them that they shall not
participate in framing a government for
themselves? These are questions that
congress will have TO consider when it
comes to determine the future policy in
regard to Cuba. AS to u exercising
supervision over a Cuban government
for an indefinite time, or until we should
be satisfied that such government had
become firmly established, it Is conceiv-
able that it might prove a source OF
trouble. The Cuban politicians would
be pretty sure TO resent any attempt on
the part of the United States, after an
independent government had been or
ganized, to direct or control the admin
istration Of affairs. They would reason
ably feel that this would not be indie
pendence and 1t is quite possible that
sooner or later we should have to aban-
don the attempt or encounter a revolt.
In respect to the foreign relations Of an
independent Cuban government perhaps
1t might be necessary that the United
States should have something to say,
lest Cuba should enter into agreements
or treaties with foreign powers detri-
mental to the interests of this country,
but even as to this there would be dan
ger Of trouble resulting.
The suggestion of General Lee thai
even after American protection was in
part withdrawn United States troops
should be kept in the island to protect
our citizens and other aliens there in the
enjoyment of their personal and prop
erty rights, cannot be seriously consid-
cred. No such arrangement would be
accepted by the Cubans and an at
tempt on the part of this government to
put it into effect would arouse the bit
terest resentment. The only fair, just
and honorable course is to allow the
Cuban people absolute independence.
NH mr. Al @ D