The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-02

every faction into which the population is
new divided. The extremes of opinion are
represented on one hand by Cuban military
chiefs, demanding immediate and absolute
independence; on the other by the purely
Spanish element seeking protection under
our flag. Between the two extremes IS
ranged the main body of the people, stand
ing in an expectant attitude ready 10 give
their approval 10 any plan that will re-es-
tablish law, order and material prosperity
on permanent basis. Upon one point All
agree, American officers as we'll as Cubans,
and that is that outside of the cities the
country is in condition of want and
misery that can hardly be exaggerated. As
an aggrayation Of that condition stands the
Cuban army, composed of at least 10000 idle
men, waiting, with arms in their hands. for
such settlement of their dues as will en-
able thera to resume life again.
"Wh>n l asked those who had a right to
SPEAK for the army what sum would suffice
fot' a satisfactory settlement, they said ten
or eleven millions at least, a sum that would
give about $500 to each man. With tnat they
said the small farmers could proceed and
continue to live until they could make
crop. The Cubans neither ask or desire for
Us to contribute penny for the mainte-
nance Of their army All that they ask IS
that loan should be made for the pur-
pose, charged on their custom house, now
yielding from twelve to fifteen millions
year; the proceeds of the loan to be PAID
10 their soldiers through our military
authorities
Every class in Cuba is now demanding
| that settlement be made al once, so that
menacing and consuming body OF idle
men may be converted into peaceful produc-
ers. In that way the industrial energies OF
the country could be revived and force
dissolved which. like the army of Crom-
WELL is not only a military body, but the
dominant political power in the island.
Il cannot doubt that il the just claims
OF the Cuban army are treated with in1us-
tice and contempt and the present military
regime continued indefinitely, In snort
time we will be hated by the Cubans just
as the Spaniards were, and condition of
things brought about that will force us
either to withdraw from the island or to
govern there just as Russia does in Poland.
Wise and humane our military govern
ors are, the fact remains that they govern
by the sword, in defiance of the civil power,
and the result is that impatence and dis
content are already clearly manifested on
every hand.
'The urgent needs in Cuba now are
prompt and satisfactory settlement with the
army Of the revolution and establishment
as soon as possible of provisional civil
regime in which Cubans themselves can
have a voice. The President should labor
increasingly to attain both ends and in the
effort to do so he should have the cordial
cooperation and support Of ell patriotic
and liberty-lOving men, regardless of party.
We should learn from the English how sui
cidal it is to carry our party difficulties into
our foreign affairs. The patriotic instinct
of Mr.. Bryan hit the mark Wnen he urged
the Immediate ratification of the pending
treaty and the settlement Of all difficulties
afterwards. The Senate should end at once
the present situation so detrimental to all
our foreign interest while Congress as a
whole should give to the President every
facility necessary to enable him to settle
every foreign question now demanding an
immediate solution"