The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-28
Our PURPOSE IN CUBA.

or two 40 the President was quoted as
saying that the administration had not
yet decided upon a policy for the Philip
pines. Il was unnecessary for the Presi-
dent to make a statement OF that kind II
he means to stand by the declaration he
made in his Home Market Club speech
in Boston, namely. that he had no policy
for the Philippines; that il was the duty
of Congress to decide upon a policy for
the governments guide in its relations
with those islands.
But what is to be the administra tons
policy in respect to Cuba? This is a ques-
ton that is almost as important as that
relative to a policy for the Philippines. The
situation IN Cuba is by no means free from
difficulties. Is it the purpose of our gov
eminent TO assist the Cubans in setting
up a government of their own at once or
10 hold them under military rule for
number of yaars-say five or ten years
until they are fitted for self government?
This is a question which will have to be
answered very soon. Indeed, the pressure
for an answer is becoming stronger every
day. Capitalists of both this country
and Europe are waiting for definite an
nouncement from our government on this
subject If Cubans are to have control Of
the island in the immediate future they
don't want TO make investments there
at least, until they are satisfied that the
Cubans are capable Of enlightenment.
On the other hand. if our government is
going to retain control for a number of
years they are DESTROYS of establishing en-
terprises there of one kind and another
at once.
few days ago we expressed the opn-
ion that the Cubans should be given
chance to try eelf-governhnent as quickly
as possible, so that the question as to
whether they are fit for 1t or not could
be determined promptly. This expression
of opinion brought a very pleasant letter
from prominent gentleman, at present
in Cuba, whose opportunities are the best
for studying the people and the prevail
ing conditions there, protesting against
the views we expressed. In the course of
his letter he said: ITO start the govern
ment now would be to put in power the
excitable and wild insurgent leaders. The
other part of the population have been
so terrified by the Spanish army that
they would not resist what would he en-
croachments on their liberty and the
blackmail which would be Sure to follow.
If bad government were started here il
would take another war to wipe 1t out,
and we would have TO pay for the loss
of life and property to the citizens. BY
Spanish practices the people have been
taught to look with favor on official cor
rupuon. With corrupt custom house
trade with the United States would be
greatly hampered, because 1t would not
resolve itself to fairness and equity,
but to whoever secured the greatest adj
vantages. With a territorial form of gov
eminent the population will go to work
and the Cuban army will be dlsbanded.
l have always believed that there will be
trouble after the bulk of our army leaves
the island, because the malcontents are
trying to stiR it up. Here in the province
of Havana there are very strong evidences
of it. The Cubans are not prepared by
education or training for an election. The
laborers would be led by the military by
uniform, a shout or by intimidation The
substantial business element would not
count for much The old Spanish proverb,
rob everybody and get rich quick, would
prevail. 1t will never do to have a Cuban
army Some Cubans might be enlisted
with our men in our regulars, but the
race is too excitable to be trusted with an
army trained by our soldiers at present"
The views of the writer of the letter
from which the foregoing extracts are
taken are probably those of the men
whose advice will have weight with our
government in deciding upon a policy for
Cuba. In that case it will be several years
doubtless before Cuba will have complete
self-government. In the meantime the ISL
and will be governed by this country pref
ty much as one of our territories are gov
erned. and the offices, to as great an ex-
tent as appears advisable, will be filled
by Cubans. Cuba will reach self-govern-
ment gradually, if at all. and not at a
bound as it were. Perhaps 1t would be
far better for her to reach it that wev
If she is to give it a trial