The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-03
WHAT ABOUT CUBA.

Congress does not show a purpose to
take steps towards turning Cuba over to
the Cubans. The President is going ahead
and arranging to give the natives object
lessons in self-government He has au-
thorized an election to be held in all the
towns this spring for mayors and members
Of town councils. Those who can read and
write. or have $3.50 worth of property
those whose names are on the lists OF the
Cuban army, and all Spaniards who indi-
cate a purpose to become citizens Of Cuba
viii have the right to vote at these mu-
nicipal elections In the fall another cleo
ton is 10 be held at which officers, similar
to our county and state officers, will be
elected, and the affairs of the island will
be practically turned over TO them. 1t is
the theory that in this way the Cubans
will be taught self government and that
a stable government will be established In
the island.
It seems from this that il is not the in
tention Of Congress to interfere with the
Presidents programme, or in fact to do
anything just YET awhile to make 1t clear
to the Cubans that they are TO have their
independence.
Naturally the Cubans are getting tired
of this condition of affairs. They think
they are fully able TO set up and carry on
a government without the assistance of
the United States. They think the Amer
leans have done for them all that they
can do. and they want them to depart IS
quickly as possible. This is shown in
many ways The American flag no
longer arouses enthusiasm among them.
They cannot understand by what author
ity they are being drilled in civil govern
ment by men sent to the island for that
purpose. 1t is not at all improbable thai
there viii be many manifestations of dis
pleasure before long if the programme of
the President is carried out.
Mr. Olney. who was Attorney General in
Mr.. Clevelands cabinet, speaking of the
Cuban problem, says: ITO any satisfac-
tory solution Of the Cuban problem il is
vital that Cuba's political conditions
should be permanently settled The spec
tacle now exhibited of a President and his
cabinet sitting in Washington with an APP
pontee and sort of imitation President
sitting with his cabinet in the Antilles
must have an end, the sooner the better,
and will end when Congress ceases to ig-
more its functions and makes Cuba in
point of law what she already is in point
of fact-namey, United States territory
Were there 10 be a plebiscite on the sub
ject, such a contamination would be fa-
vored by practically the entire body of the
intelligence and wealth of the island.
Until il is reachd capital will hesitate to
go there. emigration from this country
will be insignificant and Cuba will fail 10
enter upon that new era of progress and
development, Industrial political and So
cial. which is relied upon to justify, and
ought to justify. the substitution of Amer
lean for Spanish control"
1t is true there will not be much prog
ress in Cuba until there is a stable govern
ment there. If the course advised by Mr.
Olney should be adopted there would be
some work for our soldiers in Cuba TO do
Besides, this country would rot sanction
that course. The sentiment is that tie
promise made the Cubans, namely, that
they should have their independence, shall
be kept. No doubt the educated and
wealthy people favor annexation but they
are not the majority. The thing to do is
to let the Cubans try self-government as
soon as possible. 1t would not be long be-
fore there would be such trouble that the
sentiment in favor of annexation would
grow rapidly, and the island would come
TO us without an effort on our part. Our
experience with Porto Rico. however, is
not such as to make US anxious for any
more islands