The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-10-24
cU:ANs AND AMERICANS.

all state
CUcANs AND AMERICANS.
Gen. Woods report Of the condition Of
Cuba and the Cuban people and of the
progress made in the reorganization of
the Industrial social and political life of
the island makes a most gratifying show,
ing. The work of civil administration
under American direction has been done
beyond all dispute with all the thorough
ness which could be expected, and the
response of the Cuban people to the eff,
forts made In their behalf is gratifying in
the extreme. The best evidence that
could be given that American aid in the
work of establishing Cuban affairs on a
safe and enduring basis has been effective
is found IN the statement of Gen. Wood
that the government is entirely seff-sus-
tanning, and that the treasury of the
Island has an unencumbered balance Of
81 SOC, coo. This circumstance taken in con-
nection with the flow OF immigration into
the island leaves little question that the
work preliminary to the establishment OF
we'll
Gen. Wood says in his report that the
Cuban people feel kindly toward and
have faith in the people of the United
States" The meaning which must be at
tached to this is that the Cuban people
believe in the desire and intention of the
American people, through their govern
ment, to deal in perfect good faith, in the
fuiflment Of the national pledge, that
when the Cuban people have established
their own government we will withdraw
all assumption and insignia of authority
from the island stf 5ae
1t would be pleasant to accept this
statement of Gen. Wood in all it's sig
nifcance. But there are too many cir
cunstances which lead to contrary be-
lief. The coming constitutional conven-
ton will, of course, effectively decide
much on this score If the Cuban people
accept American professions and purposes
at their face value it cannot be said
that the leaders of Cuban opinion, wheth-
are free from suspicion. On the con-
trary, there seems to be a most profound
belief among many OF the most disilter.
ested and intelligent Cubans that we are
about to play a trick on them with
reference to their independence The call
for that constitutional convention Ger
tainly gave ground for such a suspicion
When it was set forth in that call that
the convention would be asked to settle
the relations between Cuba and the
United States All assumption was in
dulged in which is inconsistent with the
exercise of the full power to create an
Independent nation. Whatever the RIA
tons between the future Cuban republic
and the United States may be must de-
pend not on the action of the convention.
but on that Of the authorized officials of
that republic after it is founded-not enc
hour before if Cuba is to be a free coun;
try.
Perhaps the greatest danger which con.
fronts both the Cuban and the American
people with reference to the political
future of the island is that which may
arise from the swarm of money advent
urers that have already gathered from this
country trying to secure concessions for
public works of all kinds. The press OF
tho island 10 wa rnipo IFS neanIa euarxy Il ~
against having anything to do with the
enterprises which these promoters are
showing to the front. They are looking
to the continuance of American sover-
eighty to help them out in their schemes;
and it is understood that the LemueI
Quiggses of American politics and indus
try expect to be able to ''fx'' things
through that convention and otherwise
so that the island and its substance will
not be able ITO get away" from them
But in spite of all these schemers can
DO, the political future of the island must
rest in the hands of the Cubans them
selves, if they really wish it If they viii
send to that convention their ablest, most
conservative and most patriotic men, who
have been devoted to and have made sac,
rifices for Cuban independence the or
ganic law of the island will be so framed
that if the American connection is to
continue it will be so ordained only after
the Cuban people have decided vohlntar-
lily and fairly that their political des-
TIMES will be more secure by the connec-