Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-31
CUBAN CONDITIONS.

The statement of General Fitzhugh
Lee in regard to conditions in Cuba
Is entitled to the highest consideration,
thorough knowledge Of the situation, but
also from an earnest sympathy with the
aspirations Of the Cubans for independ.
ence. General Lee corroborates the re.
ports of other military officers in Cuba
that the conditions there are steadily
improving and he speaks well of the dis
position of the people, whose impulses,
he says, are generally In the right d.
rection. They are not yet, however,
prepared for self-goyernment and it is
the Judgment of General Lee that IL
they were now given independence the
| consequences might be serious. The
hatred engendered by the instruction
still abides and would vent itself
against those who oppressed the Cubans
| if the latter were now given free rein.
| General Lee believes 'that the United
| States having pledged independence to
| Cuba after pacification that promise
should be fulfilled just as swiftly as
we can in reason and justice. This
suggests the question as to, who should
be the judge of the time when reason
and justice will warrant the establish
ment Of Cuban independence. Shall the
| question be determined by the United
States or the Cubans be allowed to de-
eide for themselves when they are ready
| to assume the responsibilities and OBJ
legations of government? 1t is to be
borne in mind that in the pledge given
by this government the only prerequisite
to independence is pacitication. Con-
gress declared that as soon as peace
was established in; Cuba the island
should be left to the control and gov
ernment of its own people There was
no other condition or reservation. We
the capacity or fitness of the Cubans
for elf-government. When the pledge
was given nothing more was contem-
plated than the expulsion of the Span
iards and the restoration of order and
tranquility. Can we in good faith now
require conditions and impose tests that
were not thought of when we interposed
to free Cuba from Spanish rule?
The obligation of the United States to
see that Cuba has government capable
of maintaining peace and order, pro-
tecting life and property and fulfilling
international duties, will not be ques-
toned. This government has assumed
responsibility for the future of the ISL
and which it cannot honorably relin-
quish. Our own interests as well as
the interests and welfare of the Cubans
demand that we shall exercise such
influence and supervision in the estab-
lishment of an independent government
in Cuba as may be necessary to insure
stability. ut Is necessary that the gov
ernment set up there shall be of char
acter to command the approval of the
American people, who will have larger
and more intimate relations with II
than any other, people. Cuba will
henceforth have with the United States
very close relations both commercial
and political and it Is therefore impor.
tant that American ideas and principles
Of government shall prevail there to the
fullest extent practicable. But these
considerations do not warrant the
! United States in unduly delaying the
ful6llment OF its solemn pledge to the
Cuban people or in going beyond the
plain terms of its promise.
There are interests at work to delay
the granting of Cuban independence
which this government should not coun
, tenance. There undoubtedly is thor
/ ough understanding between the annex
r ationsts in Cuba and in the United
, States and they may be expected Il
D bring a strong pressure to bear upoI
!. congress for maintaining indefinitely
T American military occupation of Cuba
? Such course would not only b,
/ unjustihable, would not only be
breach of good faith, but it woult
be dangerous. The Cubans who wan
S freedom and self-gOvernment ar
5 even now chatting under Ameri
D can control, but they are hoping
d that 1t will soon terminate. Disap
+ point this hope and we may have to dea
j. with revolt, which, whatever its pro
: portions, would be a reproach to thi
e nation. There is but one course -pre
d scribed by duty and honor. We mus
e keep faith with the Cuban people; W
must treat them with absolute fairnes