The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-13
CITY OFFICIAL PAPER.
A,susrnrrrs TODAY.
CUnA,s nalGnT OUTLOOK.

The appointment OF Ten. WoOu as
governor OF Cuba is q wise step. be-
cause that official has shown himself
to be wen adapted to the delicate posi-
ton he is to occupy. 1t is no disparage-
ment to his seniors in military rank
that he should be appointed over their
heads He 10 not an army man. and
only engaged IN war - q volunteer be-
cause his country called for his SER
vices. But the very reason which was
urged against his promotion Is tina.
which has appealed most strongly to
the president In selecting him for the
office. A military man would be OBJ
jccti0nable because Of his profession.
but also, and probably to q greater de-
gree, because his training would have
united him for the duties which the
governor Of Cuba must perform.
1t is not because he is a soldier that
Gen. Wood has been selected, but be-
cause he has proved himself to be free
from militarism, while he has at the
same time demonstrated that he under
stands the advantages Of discipline and
is able to exercise authority without
making it offensive.
The change from military governor
to civil governor is a step In the dfrec-
tion indicated by the presidents mes-
sage toward that goal which was estab-
lished by the United States congress
before the declaration of war, and which
this nation has kept steadily in view
throughout A free Cuba cannot be
secured in day. The expressions Of
centuries have had their effect upon the
Cuban character, and it will take not
only time, but great care. to bring about
an appreciation by the masses of the
difference between freedom and ire
sponsibility.
In making the appointment of Gen.
Leonard Wood, the president manifests
his desire to extend to the whole of the
island the admirable system that has
been established in the province of San
tiago. There, as soon as the war was
over. the people were encouraged to
form their own municipal government.
and were aided to Improve their laws
and their methods. Where the most
severe fighting took place there has been
the earliest restoration of the people
to comparative independence. In that
province, more particularly in the cit
les, the Cubans are as free as IL they
lived in the United States. Their condi-
ton must be exceedingly satisfactory to
them. There is no longer any fear of
official rapacity, of reckless taxation or
of inroads by the insurgents and billet
ing by Spanish soldiers.
Some Populist newspapers have
sneered at McKinley's message as not
being Strong" Few public documents
have ever been more forcible or more
clear than that part of it which deals
with Cuba and its future. 1t is gener-
GUS, Dut dDUuuUS III common sense
recommendations. The president knows
that nation needs something more
than a flag, and that very thoroughly
organized government is essential to
true liberty. He therefore does not
waste words upon a declamatory offer
OF freedom to Cuba, but formulates a
plan by which the people may be
brought together for the purpose of gov
erning themselves. He points out to
them the sequence of events necessary
to orderly administration. A census
must be taken. those entitled to vote
must be registered. elections must be
provided for, and when municipal dis
tricts have been created delegates must
be elected from all parts Of the island
to convention which shall draft
constitution land establish general