Omaha daily bee., 1900-01-16
crRlN CONFIDENCE.

There appears to be a general feeling
Of confidence among cuban political
leaders i'm President Mckinley. They
believe that the assurances the urcsi-
dent has given of the intention of this
government to faithfully fulfill It's prom.
Use that cuba should have Independence
are sincere. They regard the appoint
ment Of General Wool rs governor
general as being unmistakable evidence
of the earnest desire of the president
to have self government established in
cuba rs soon as practicable and under
conditions that will insure It's stability.
They are generally well satisfied with
the policy thus far of the present g.v-
ernor general. There are ~malcontcnts,
of course, but they are neither numer-
Gus nor influential. There are some
who are still distrustful. but they do
not constitute an important factor. All
reports of II trustworthy character show
that there is Il nearly unanimous feel
ing of confidence that he United states
will act in good faith and that Cuba
will certainly be given Independence.
1t would be most unfortunate If any
thing were to happen here to destroy
this confidence, yet there is danger OF
1t if reports from Washington have any
substantial foundation. A correspond
ent of the New York sun says Il con
grcssional committee will visit Cuba to
learn from actual observations how
much time will be required TO bring the
island under the influence of American
ideas and American methods II ADDS;
1T is evidently the prevailing senti-
ment among the members of this com
mittcc that the annexation of CUBA
will ultimately result and perhaps at
no distant day. In the meantime, the
Cubans will enjoy that Independence
promised them in the resolutions of
congress which brought on the wal with
Spain. According to one member of
the committee, annexation will be
brought about by Il perfectly natural
process of transition" If this aCcu-
rately states the view of the committee
that is to visit Cuba and the fact is
known there its presence will be very
likely to impair the existing confidence
and enlarge the influence of those who
are now distrustful of this government.
\ congressional committee of annrXu-
tiOnists going to Cuba at this time
could hardly fail to do harm. The Gu
bans of course know that there are
Americans who favor annexation, as
there are many in Cuba who desire it,
but this will not disturb them so long
rs they are assured that there is no
sympathy with this sentiment in con
gress and the administration.
There is reason to think that the ma
iority Of Cubans want nothing to do with
anybody who believes that annexation
is even Il remote possibility. Their
thought is only of Independence and
they have entire confidence in their
ability to maintain sclf-government.
Therefore if the committee which pro
poses to visit Cuba entertains the view
ascribed to it, il would better not 20,
for its visit would not promote the on
ditiOns hat are essential to prepare the
people there for establishing an indie
pendent government. Good progress, it
appears, is being made in this direc-
ton and it would be Il misfortune to
interfere with it. Every effort should
be made to strengthen the confidence of
Cubans in the United States.