New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-19
GENERAL WILSON ON CUBA.

The extracts which print elsewhere in this
mornings paper from the recent report of Cen
eraI James H. Wilson form interesting and sug-
cestive reading General Wilson's department
,nclude5 the provinces of Matanzas and Santa
Clara a most important part of the island Of
Cuba His long experience in military affairs
and bis ability and high personal character have
made mis- administration successful They COM
mend also, to consideration whatever views he
NAV express concerning the present and future
of the island. 1t is 10 be observed that he is
enthusiastically inclined. He sees all the good
that has been accomplished and there is much
OF H. From the progress of the last year
he deducts hopeful conclusions concerning the
wears 10 come, some OF which ii is sincerely to
be hoped may be fulfilled. From some of his
conclusions however, must express earnest
and emphatic dissent. And they are the con-
illusions TO which expert knowledge of Cuba is
by no means necessary, but which are to be
dealt with on grounds OF general knowledge Of
and general regard for the welfare of the United
States.
III is agreeable TO be assured by competent
an authority that municipal administration in
Cuba has been much improved, and that indeed
In local matters the Cubans are rapidly ap-
proaching fitness for full self-goyernment. We
have hitherto felt some confidence that such
would be the case. Beyond doubt, such fitness
viii entitle the Cubans 10 be left TO the manage
ntent of their own municipal affairs so long as
they continue TO manage them In way com
porting with the United States standard. But
1t is quite eyidc nt that there is a distinction
with a difference between municipal and ma
tional affairs. Those who are competent for
the one may not be for the latter. In the one
the Cubans have hitherto had much experience,
In, .J,a oil
well that TO which he has been trained is no
reason for setting him at task for which he
has had no preparation. Nor are the security
and welfare of the United States 10 be treated
SIS negligible quantities. II might not greatly
concern US whether Havana or Matanzas were
governed well or i'll. Some of our own cities are
governed worse than we ever want 10 see any in
Cuba But the relations Of Cuba as a whole
with foreign nations must always be matter
OF deep concern. 1t would be absolutely intoler-
able 10 this country TO have Cuba making
treaties or alliances with other Powers, In which
there might be discrimination, or indeed actual
hostility, against the United States. And II
complete insular sovereignty were established
such state Of affairs would be entirely pos
sible
II seems, therefore, quite within the bounds of
equity and reason TO insist that, whatever the
future status OF the island may be, IT'S foreign
relationships shall always remain under United
States supervision and control So much is die
tated by the very fact Of Cuba's 'transcendent
importance 10 the commercial and political In
.terests Of our Union" which first moved John
Quincy Adams TO formulate our National policy
in respect to that island So much is entirely
congruous with our traditional policy of forbid
ding the political aseendancy Of any Power but
Spain IN Cuba So much the Cubans themselves
must concede TO be right and proper. And so