New-York tribune., 1899-11-21
THE CUBAN DILEMMA.

The future of Cuba presents problem which
on its face seems logically insoluble. When the
island gets into such shape that in the delib-
crate judgment of the United States a stable
and Just free government can there be main
tanned by the inhabitants, then independence Is
TO come But such a condition is not to be ex-
pected until industries and business have been
revived, so that labor can be well employed at
fair wages That revival of industry can
not be expected until capital has been obtained
for the restoration of estates, machinery and
lines of transportation. And 1t is extremely
doubtful whether the requisite capital can be
obtained until the political future Of the island
has been assured The money will not go with
out the stable government and the stable gov
ernment will not come without the money has
been first invested From such dilemma there
seems TO be no possible escape.
1t is not strange that Spaniards Of the type
represented by the Havana "Epoca' conclude
that the island has no hope for the future ex-
cept in annexation. Were that once certain,
capital would quickly seek the extraordinary
opportunities waiting in Cuba There would
then be certainty that sufficient strength would
permanently prevent a lapse into despotism
tempered by revolution, with another Hayti the
product The people begin 10 see what progress
and development would be realized under United
States laws and ii is not strange If many or
the Cuban property owners and business men
long 10 see the period of hopeless waiting ter
minated as soon as possible. But whether the
majority of the inhabitants wish annexation at
all. or on any such terms as would DE satis-
factory to the United States. remains to be de-
terrnined They would want 10 come into the
Union as a State. on equal terms with Massa-
chusetts or Illinois. We believe and think
Americans generally are beginning TO believe
the admission TO Statehood OF any territory OF
this Continent absolutely disastrous and TO be
resisted 10 the uttermOst.
The opinions expressed by General ludlow
and others who have known the island best do
not point clearly 10 any speedy solution Prac-
tically all agree that the Cubans are not now fit
for self government. and II left to govern them
selves would make a wreck of It. That they
can in time be educated TO fitness for self gov
ernment IL often said, but the question IS
whether they are willing to endure the cOndi
tions and the somewhat prolonged period OF
tutelage Unhappily, II Is also true that a COM
paratively small minority who are not willing
will claim TO represent, and by many will be sup
posed to represent the great body of Cuban in
habtants II they create disturbance here and
there. That there are some to whom indie
pendence means nothing but a chance TO get
office or to plunder the country or TO be avenged
on the Spaniards has been repeatedly shown by
their conduct already. With multtudes idle
and in need. great number Of estates crippled,
and enterprises held back by lack Of capital and
fear of the political future. II would not be
strange II extremists should find some follow
ers
Presumably one of the first questions which