The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1900-01-04
By Proving Sincerity


THE progress of affairs in the recon-
struction of Cuba will serve as fair
illustration of the course events will be
likely to take in all the newly acquired
territories over which the recent war
with Spain has given the United
States control, either temporary or
otherwise. The evolution of political
sentiment and the amalgamation of
political factions in, all of those terri
tories where our influence is to be SUI
preme will most probably take the
same general trend as has character
lied Cuba thus far. The same causes
may be expected. In Cuba the situa-
ton has been rendered more delicate
by the proclamation OH the part of this
government that it's intention is to
give that island an independent gov
vernment. When a people have been
.disarmed by such a proposition it is
anot unnatural that they should feel a
greater anxiety in proportion to the
hopes at stake than people, the ma
jority of whom have hoped and sought
for nothing better than American con-
troll. Consequently it was to be expected
that the people of Cuba would the
more readily lend themselves to fac
tional divisions, the effects of their
natural anxiety lest the purpose for
which they had struggled should
finally be sacrificed to the ambition
and greed of the country to whom they
had given themselves up. This is just
what has taken place in Cuba, and it
has operated SO generally and effect
lively that it has made the reconstruc-
A5on on the part of this country most
,arduous, and has even aroused fear
that it might not be possible. But IN
the course of events this opposition has
gradually given way until there is now
mo doubt whatever of the final accom-
plishment of our purpose. This change
i'm sentiment has been brought about
by wise exercise of our prerogative
an that island. The policy pursued by
Gen. Wood, Governor General of the
island, has been such as to create per-
feet confidence in him and the purpose
of the administration to stand true to
IFS word in regard to an independent
government for that island. The
latest dispatches say that the Cuban
national party and the other political
parties of the island will soon unite
and throw their unanimous efforts on
the side of Gen. Wood administration.
AS it has been in Cuba it may be ex-
-Dected to be in Puerto Rico and the
Philippines, with this exception, that
in the last two territories factions will
be less readily created and parties less
readily formed because in these cases
our control will be the first and the
only consideration. The minimum
trouble will be in Puerto Rico. In the
Philippines the opposition will be
Brought to bear by the minority, led
by Aguina1do and those on whom he
had imposed very wrong idea of the
purpose and character of this country.
In order to conquer this opposition and
render it the least dangerous it is inper-
alive that the same method be used as
overcame all opposition in Cuba, that
As, we must adopt such a policy III
dealing with these people as shall dis
arm suspicion anu create confidence
out of distrust. In other words, we
anust prove beyond question our good
will and sincerity. 1t is this that
quoted factiona1 promoting fear in
Caba, and it is the only means of &C
comprising d similar result in the
other districts where we are dealing
with similar problem.