Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-19

Philadelphia Times; We doubt IL the sit
uation is as alarming as some OF the CORE
spondents represent 1t, yet 1t is going tc
take a good deal OF calm discretion and
diplomacy, as well as Of frmncss, to deal
with it. The troubles Of poor Gomez are a
slight Illustration of the difficulties likely
to be met in harmonizing the various kinds
OF Cuban patriotism,
Philadelphia Record; only in the event
of a general acceptance Of the governments
propositions could the impending storm
cloud in Cuba be swept away and dissipated.
Resistance on any extended scale to the plan
of disarmament-for this is the real scope
and intent Of the 5000, 900 payment-would
plunge the island into a condition akin to
that now existing in the Philippines, and
we should have two factional revolts upon
our hands In opposite corners of the globe.
Springfield Republican: The situation in
Cuba is becoming more complicated and
threatening. General Gomez gives up the
task of buying off his army with the $4,000,
600 fund from the United States and General
Brooke will now apparently undertake the
job and force the disarmament and disper-
sion IL need be. II the American govern
ment exhibited any definite purpose of es-
tablishing a native government and retiring
from the island in accordance with the ma
tional pledge, the outlook would no doubt
be more promising.
Washington Post; 1t now appears that
not only Gomez and his factional adherents,
but the whole array of Cuban generals
are opposed to disarmament and a return to
legitimate avocation. We have never be-
lieved in Gomez. We have always regarded
him as a professional mercenary and agita-
- Iz,-Lt IS lv 49, Art ~ AN-
eminent in 1877. He has served for pay
under the Spanish government against his
own people in San Domingo. He sulked in
the hills, after our occupation of Cuba, until
the prospect of money lured him to Havana.
Even at that time he offered his sympathies
and his sword to Porto Rico in the event
Of a war against the United States. He has
never been anything but q firebrand, a
marauder, and a humbug.
New York Tribune: Matters seem to have
reached a crisis in Cuba. 1t is high time
they did. There has been an amount of
dilly -dallying and trickery and impcsture
down there over the payment of the Cuban
troops that has been simply scandalous. A
cabal of self-commissioned Officers" whose
activities have been confined to cigar shops
and whose militant operations have not been
extended beyond the walls of a cafe, have
week after week been baking progress, pre-
venting relief of worthy sufferers and keep
ing the general state of affairs there in gross
confusion, while they have been contriving
ways and means of diverting into their own
pockets the money that has been appropria-
ted for real soldiers. No other government
would have put up with their rascality and
nonsense half as long as ours has.
Chicago Tribune: A late issue of the
Times of Cuba contains the text of an order
promulgated by the mayor OF Havana for
bidding any one to smoke in public convey
ances of any kind under pain of election
from the vehicle. This is in the nature of a
violent innovation among people who have
always considered 1t allowable for men,
women and children to smoke everywhere.
A few days ago an order was issued for.
bidding a man to appear on the streets
in the undershirt garb that has been GUS
tomary among the poorer classes since the
days of Columbus. He must wear an outer
garment Of some kind on top of 1t to avoid
shocking the sensibilities Of the American
officials or the women of their families.
There have been rumors of unaccountable
restlessness and covert hostility toward the
temporary American regime. 1t does not
take a great amount of acumen to trace the
relation of cause and effect here, but Cen
eral Brooke does not appear to have done so.