The Saint Paul globe., 1900-06-29
OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN CUBA

The problem which confronts the peo-
pie OF the United States in Cuba is one
the far-reaching character OF which is
constantly impress .ng itself on all these
who are charged with the responsibility
of the immediate control of the affairs
of the island. In spite of all the assur-
ances which come from time to time
from the agents of the promoting" fac
that even the more conservative forces
of Cuban society desire that the destinies
of Cuba shall be entrusted to the people
who for SO long. and under such appa-
rently hopeless circumstances, fought for
the establishment of Cuban liberty
In The current number of the Atlantic
Monthly Mr.. ]. D. WheIpley sets forth
in a very impressive way the nature and
extent Of the difficulties which attend the
discharge of the great task which the
American nation has assumed. He points
out the truth, which is not generally rec
ognized, that since the assumption OF
control by Americans it has become
matter of much difficulty for the readers
of the American press to secure anything
ike an adequate understanding Of the ac-
tual conditions which prevail today on
the island. This he declares to be due in
great measure to the desire, cultivated by
the friends and representatives of the
adm .nistration, to represent the existing
condition as favorable to the views and
purposes of those who desire to see our
control perpetuated.
The Cuban people however, are anxious
to have the matter Of the duration of
that control settled. In this behalf, Mr..
Whelpley says:
The Cubans are now complaining bit
terly that no one can tell whether they
can govern themselves CT not until it has
been tried. Inc Americans SOothe them
with complimentary speeches. praise their
patriotism, their generosity, their adapt
ability, Their sentlnentalism, their eager
ness to add their names 20 the govern
ment salary list, and invariably conclude
with a tribute to their social graceS. To
the persistent and oft-repeated inquiry as
to how long the present status is TO con-
tinue, the Americans are eVaSiVe, indef-
mite, or tempOrizing, for no man familiar
with the island, its people and affairs, 10
matter how optimistic s belief in Cuba 5
destiny as a free republic, has had the
temerIty to set day in the near future
when the American police power can with
safety be Withdrawn.
The great danger which attends the
situation, b5th for the Americans and
Cubans, is indicated in the above ex-
tract. If American tutelage in the opera
ton Of representative government is
thought essential, it is safe to say that
the day when American control is to end
will, if existing political conditions i'll the
United States continue, be indefinitely
extended. If, on the other hand, we
merely do as the body OF the Cuban peo-
pie wish us to do-set tie machinery
of civil government in operation, and
leave its perfection and permanent con-
troll in the hands of the Cubans them
selves after it is once in operat1on--the
problem will be solved, at least for tbs
nation. What the fate of free represen-
tative institutions in Cuba will be the fu-
ture alone VIII determine If the viii of
both Cubans and Americans is not wholly
disregarded we must rid ourselves OF any
responsibility in this behalf, and leave it
to be borne by those to whom it belongs
the Cuban people themselves.