New-York tribune., 1899-05-25
THE SITUATION IN CUBA

DELAY in Cuba is veXatlous to the pubic, pos
sibly to a good many officials also, and certain
lv IN Cubans who want uncertainties removed
Put II may not mean lost time. There is at
least n possibility that the months or waiting
and WEAKNESS contribute more than mas Deeh
sunposed to a satisfactory final settlemeh''
ORGANIZATIONS left for months without an!
thing 70 do and nothing certain for the future
are ant to melt away. In the eastern part oi
the island II Is said that no armed ana organ
lied bodies are left the men having scattered
to engage in various avocatons, partly under
military employment in road-makiDg and otner
improvements. The same process OF disntegra-
tion must have been going on more or less
ranidlv in other parts of the Island where
opportunities for paying work are even more
extensive, and though II Is not yet bve months
since the American forces took controi IN the
west. probably considerable portion OF the
Cuban army has scattered TO seek employment
which many men have found under the Gov
ernment and many others In connection WIN
various railways and other corporate WORKS.
and still others on the plantations.
This gradual change not only diminishes the
number of men with whom the military au-
thorites have to deal, but results in much
change in the prevalent feeling. The men VINO
have found other occupations are no longer re-
oarding themselves as exclusively soldiers,
more or less attached to particular leaders, put
have necessarily begun to consider what el-
fects one arrangement or another for the ISL
and would have upon their own prospects. IL
ia evident that the business and producing in
forests throughout the island are coming to
recognize more clearly every week that pros
neritv cannot possibly be expected without
continued American occupation and control Tor
a considerable time. The employees, whether
former soldiers or not, are likely to obtain the
same idea regarding the interests to which
they owe employment and prosperity for the
future. A share in the distribution Of money
nv the United States means less to such men
than continuance of steady wages with posi-
bilites of advancement The men who grasp
such ideas are not slow to communicate them
and to help others to see why continued Amerl-
can occupation is needful.
It is n natural inference that the former SOL
diers will gradually come to care much less FOR
the wild talk of leaders about keeping arms for
which they have no use, and more for the pros
meets OF peace and order and good government
II IL quite possible that such influences as these
will lead majority Of the former soldiers them
selves to vote against any proposal TO substitute
an independent government for American con-
troll. II such a proposal should be brought to
vote. With the business interests and the prop
erty-owners largely on the side OF continued
order and peace and with many OF the CUBAN
soldiers looking in the same direction, While
the Spanish inhabitants almost without excep-
ton consider continued American control for
some years necessary to their safety and their
interests. It would not be at all surprising If
the Cuban people should give an uncomfortable
surprise to the Cuban politicians. II plans or
| independent organization should be pushed far
enough to call for popular decision.
| But it also grows more probable as time
brings more clearly to light the inability OF the
| Cuban politicians to unite upon any plan for
the country, that nothing will be matured which
| will call for a popular decision, at least Tor
| some time to come. Unless appearances de-
ceive. there is a growing conviction among Gu
! ban leaders themselves that they cannot at
present command public support for any plan
on which they can agree, having done nearly
AS much as they could to lessen the confidence
of the people by their treatment OF Gomez, their
wrangling among themselves. their frantic talk
| about American occupation, and their inability
to frame anything like practical plans for the
future. II seme Of them already have that
feeling, It Is safe to say that more will have 1t
every week. as delay brings home TO all the
paramount interest Of all true Cubans in the
continuance Of peace and order.
|