New-York tribune., 1900-05-28
CUBAN OFFICEHOLDERS.


Saturday showing the number of Americans,
of Cubans, and of persons of all other
nativities who now hold office under the
provisional government in Cuba is a suf-
fcient and very effective answer to the
charge that the Americans had taken most
Of the places for themselves. On the con-
trary, it appears that II per cent Of those who
hold places are Cubans, though several hundred
have been removed for misconduct or incom-
petence since American control began. In gen.
eraF other Cubans have been selected to take
the places of those removed, so that presumably
the proportion may be substantially unchanged.
But it may fairly be questioned whether the
statement does not justify criticism of the Gov
ernment for choosing at the outset too large a
number of Cubans for the work necessary to be
done. 1t was most desirable that the Cuban
people should be convinced from the start of
the entire good faith and fidelity with which
Americans, from highest to lowest, undertook
a grave responsibility in the affairs of the
island.
Attention may here be called to a sharp con-
trast. A single American officer in the postal
system is detected in fraud Evidence that he
had few accomplices has led at once to an
exhaustive investigation. The strongest desire
is shown by the President and other high Off
cials at Washington to have this matter pushed
to the end without fear or favor. The obvious
reason is that all wish to have the Cuban people
taught how it is that American officials are ex-
pected to behave and what treatment they
expect to meet If in any case detected in fraud
or abuse of official power. On the other hand,
hundreds Of Cuban officials quietly put out
of the service, with no effort whatever to fix
public attention upon the matter, because it is
rightly felt that the people of the island have
been accustomed all their lives to the methods
of Spanish government and to the example set
by Spanish officials.
1t is proper that the contrast should be as
striking as possible. The more fully Cubans
can be brought to understand the measure of
good faith and integrity required in public
vice by the Americans the ready they
will be to demand a similar high standard of
fidelity for the employees of any Cuban govern
ment that may be established, and the less dis
posed will Cubans be to expose their own people
to condemnation by insisting upon the estab-
lishment of government without the power to
secure proper men for the Offices The stern
and unsparing investigation and punishment of
Americans who misbehave will help to fix a
standard by which the Cubans will test any
government they may be inclined to establish.
The quiet ousting of hundreds of Cubans not
in any conspicuous way nor for the purpose of
creating distrust will help them to believe that
the fidelity which the Americans require is In
truth essential TO the success Of any govern
ment.
Doubtless it will be found that at least part
of the CubaGs will insist upon the adoption Of
the same high standard by any Cuban govern
ment, and will be prepared to oppose the estab-
lishment of any which is not likely to maintain
such a standard. 1t is precisely at that point,
as Americans know. that the question of fitness
for self-government will be most severely tested.
1t will be comparatively easy to find a small
body of lawmakers who will set up proper laws
for the island. Much more difficult and yet by
no means impossible, Will be the selection and
the eIecting of high officials to direct the execu-
ton of such laws. But when men are to he
found for thousands Of subordinate Offices each
of whom must be in his sphere as faithful and
strictly upright the highest executive or law
maker. and as jealous in exposing and punish
ing all offences against the commonwealth, then
the Cubans themselves will begin to show how
far they are competent for the task upon which
some of them so impatient to enter.