New-York tribune., 1899-06-21
WHAT INDEPENDENCE MEANS.

WHAT INDEPENDENCE MEANS.
What is it to achieve independence! Inc
Cubans who defrauded their own men III max
ing up rolls talk as II they had done IT, ou'
forget that the hour before American interVeh-
ton was for them the darkest OF their long
struggle, by the testimony OF General "oine"
himself They were at that hour, Dut TOT III
tervention. further from independence 'haiI
when that struggle began. What measure Vi
freedom they have or may hereafter nave 'he!
must owe to the people OF the Unned S'a'eS'
and Il would show more OF the MANHOOD "hch
deserves freedom If they were ever reau! ~
recognize the fact What are they To-Day put
for American occupation? The easy prey vi
anv European Power. If invaded by foreigh
fleets and armies they could not even cohi-
plain that injustice was done them Inc SUD
iects of Germany, France or Great brltaih hN
ing I'm Cuba are entitled 10 the protec'ioh oi
Just laws vigorously and faithfully auihlnlS-
tered There exists no government i'll 'uod
which could give that protection. ana 10 such
government could exist there for some tihe
TO come If all American forces were Wl'h-
drawn. That state of facts gives to the Tor
eign Powers under international law full Tght
to send forces for the protection OF their SUD
iects Germany would send to one point,
Great Britain TO another. France TO another'
and to avoid fighting among themselves the
Powers would mark out their spheres or IN
6uence" within which each would become re-
sponsbe for the maintenance Of order.
That is where Cuba stands to-day, but for
the United States flag. Its people nave not
even the shadow Of government no organiza-
ton on which one could he framed, and as
yet show little Of that patriotic readiness 10
mt aside personal aims for the common good
without which no real government could ever
be formed II may be frankly admitted that
this is not their fault. Never have they en-
joyed the slightest opportunity 10 develop anu
train those qualities which are necessary 10
self government and the faithful enforcement
of impartial laws. The fact stands that the
American fag and nothing else, stops the oc-
cupatIon and partition of the island just as
parts of China and Africa are being taken by
European Powers. The Cubans know that the
United States will not consent, and that Is the
sole hope they have Of independence.
What does Independence mean? Clearly 1t
does not mean absolute dependence II Cuba
as a separate country could not exist week
except for the United States. then Cuba is quite
dependent 1t Is not fne-spun theory, but
solid, practical fact that Cuba must remain
thus dependent until II has both the unity or
purpose and the financial as well as physical
power 10 maintain itself against other nations,
and TO discharge all international obligations
so fully that foreign Intervention for protec-
tIon of foreign subjects and their property VIII
have no excuse. The purpose may be devel-
oped whenever Cubans get rid Of their selfish
politicians and learn how TO work together
for the common good. But when Will the
physical power come? The population Is not all
Cuban. The Spanish part would hardly fight to
place Cubans in power over them. The native
Cubans could not place and maintain In the
field an army large enough to hold the long and
slender island they occupy against even sec
ond or third rat foreign Power. They have not
now and for years to come cannot have, the
resources necessary 10 arm. equip and main
tain such a force for any other than mere
guerilla warfare in the mountains and woods,
which would not serve n week to hold and
govern the island.
"But the United States would protect" it Is
assumed Certainly, II the government formed
were such as could be honOrably protected and
maintained and not otherwise But a prOtec-
torate is not independence. If Cuba owed the
very existence Of It's government every day to
American approval and protection, that might
be freedom In the best sense. and the best
government attanabe for Cuba, but IT would
not be independence. Even after the time
needed for preparation, education. organization
and development OF resources has passed. and
after the people have been able to establish
good local government for themselves which
they are able to maintain, and which is able to
discharge It's international obligations there
will vet remain Independence 10 be achieved.
How soon II can be expected. Cubans will ask
themselves when they begin to look at facts
ms they are Then also they will ask them
selves whether that Is the shortest road to
the highest prosperity they can attain. and on
that question the people may not agree with
the loud-voiced politicians Of to-day.