The record-union., 1899-04-02
TOO SENSITIVE CUBANS.

The ssReview of Reviews" says that
our Government seriously offended
many Cubans by its offer to pay 3D.
OOO, 900 to the Cuban troops, they look
ing upon the proposition as gift, thus
placing them under what they are
pleased to think obligations, and pre-
senting this country to them in what
they conceived to be an act of boastful
generosity.
If this was their view of the matter
it gives US insight into the insufferable
pride and offensive sensitiveness Of peo-
pies of the Cuban type; that strange
and silly pride with which Spain has
infected them; that peculiar sense Of
honor that does not quail over the hor-
ror Of starving tens of thousands of
helpless women, children and old men
honor over the most trivial and unin-
territorial trespass upon it.
OF course the United States did not
intend the 100000 as gift. OF that
the Cubans ought to be now well con-
vinced. 1t was an advance only; was
made upon the condition that the
troops should surrender their arms and
return to their homes and to peaceful
industry. More than that, it was speci-
ally set forth that the money thus ad-
vanced Is to be repaid from the Cuban
customs and other sources of Cuban
revenue
The Review" is disposed to excuse
the anger of the Cuban Assembly,
holding that its Indignation is not alto
gether surprising, though we fail to un
derstand the excuse But it adds that
when the Assembly went so far as to
threaten the United States with war
and to depose Gomez, it passed all rea-
sonable bounds. practically destroyed
itself. All which is true.
The idea of our contemporary is that
by advancing the 100000 this Gov
ernment conceded every point of prin-
ciple involved; that had it refused to
pay over a single dollar it would have
been better understood by the Cubans,
and that what ought to have been done
at the outset was to have compelled
and the return of it's men to the arts
of peace, including the art of sur
rendering their arms, to be stored for
the new Cuban government
the Government Of the United States
is blameworthy for the friction that
has arisen. 1t might have been better
TO have advanced $15,0O0.O0O and thus
have satisfied Cuban honor wholly, or
not TO have paid over a single penny
as an advance. But in the wisdom of
Congress and the President the course
was adopted which has caused the
present unpleasantness, but without
reason.
Cuba has no claim whatever upon us.
All we have done has been for her good.
We are under no obligation to Cuba;
our only compact is with Spain, and
that We must keep to the letter. When,
therefore. we say to Cubans, You have
practically no Cuban debt as a State,
though your municipal obligations are
large; we are about to aid you in set
ting up stable government and we
are bound by honor and treaty to see
it done, and that the rights Of persons
and property are respected; therefore
We will lend you $3,0O0000 to assist
you in paying off your soldiery that
they may the sooner return to their
homes we gave no offense whatever.
The nature that is so sensitive as to
find insult in such an offer is too deli
cate to set up and maintain a govern
ment of any sort Governments builded
by people SO "touchy" will, we fear.
he found to be every fragile.