The age-herald., 1900-04-04
THE IMPEACHMENT OF
 SENATOR PETTICREw

Cuba, have made particular effort to over- come, as far as they could, Cuban eonf- dence in the American governments in- tentions to absolutely respect the pledge, made before the war with Spain. of our in- tehtion to set up an independent govern ment in Cuba, which the visits of Secretary Root, Senators Aldrich, of Rhode Island: Platt. of Connecticut. and Teller. of Colo rado. and the attitude of Governor General Wood had increased. These senators, Pet tigrew and Butler, expressed the belief that the American government proposes to make Cuba. an Imperial colony" and they said to an interviewer many things to fertiize the Cuban mind for the growth of such suspicion. Of course. tfle Cubans are not capable of discriminating between senators. They are not well enough informed of con- ditions in the United States to know that such men as Pettigrew and Butler, even though they happen to occupy seats in the senate of the United States, are not respon- sible senators and men whose opinions have any weight Whatever in the United States.
 It is not in the least surprising that Pet tigrew should seek to sow distrust in Cuba his attitude on the Philippine business, his direct encouragement of the United States. his incessant effort to make it appear that the United States Is engaged in an unjust contest in the Philippines a war of aggres- sion, have shown his capacity in that di- reetion-but that Butler, of North Carolina, ineonsequential individual with an es- pecially large excess of personal esteem, but who has heretofore shown very little meanness, should join with Pettigrew in such a venture is unexpected.
 The interview printed in Fl Cubano. in Havana, smacks more of Pettigrew than it does of Butler, and on its face contains sufficient evidence of genuineness to be credited First the senators told the Gu bans that they were confident of Cuba's peoples capacity for government. Then they intimated that they had noticed Cuban friendiiness for the United States, opposition to annexation and resentment for the ''eonduct of President Mckinley in not fulfilling the sacred promise" to give Cuba an independent government. The in- teryiew as printed in Fl Cubano is not s,iven verbatim. The Suns cable publishes it in full It makes Pettigrew and Butler say they "have firm conviction that the president was doing nothing for the inde- pendence of Cuba, but all resolutions, etc.,
 
 more and more the military government"
 Then the senators go on to tell how the annexation sentiment in Cuba has died out since the Porto Rican business, which is quite likely. They intimate that fake stories have been published at the admin lstration's instance to show the necessity of holding troops in Cuba because of up- risings that have been planned, of cc-re- spondents being brought by the American authorities to Cuba to "displace those who were dispIeasing'' to the authorities
 The whole interview is calculated to stir up trouble and undoubtedly was so inend- ed. It may be denied. but those who have watched Pettigrew wifi not believe denial. The interview is. Of course, untimely II is unjust and untrue 1t is malicious. too, but the American people have become accus- toned to such stuff. It is not actual trea- son, but it is perhaps verse because its effect is more insidious. The truth is that no matter what may be said as to the un- fortunate effect of the republican party's attitude toward Porto Rico, the admins tration has been straight and above board in its treatment of the Cubans Nothing could better demonstrate that than the ap- pointment of Leonard Wood to be governor general of Cuba and the withdrawal of a large number Of American troops from the island. But the Cubans are not yet pre- pared for self-gevernment. They have cer- tainly taken many steps in that direction, and the growth of confidence in DIT sin cerity of purpose has ma terially aided our government in its work of education and preparations The greatest difficulty has been to gain Cuban confidence They are naturally suspicious, and along come couple of scheuning politicians, of no stand iQg whatever, and by insinuations seek to undo 1t for some fancied political advantage that may result therefrom from purs "cussedness' No decent and self respect ing democrat in the senate and the house would do as Pettigrew and Butler have done. They may not. approve of the ad- ministration's course. Some of them may think the government could turn Cuba oyer to it's people sooner, but none of then de- , hberately try to make the matter more difficult.
 In this connection ii Is fair ito say that l quite a large number of public men, chiefly republicans, ,1rathor regret the adoption of the resolution Hedging the government to 1 make Cuba independent, They would be glad to see Cuba annexed, and some of l them do not believe that Cuba can ever enjoy an Independent and peaceful govern ment. A few would rejoice if there were sccne escape from the pledge made; but none has been found so far who advocates breaking the pledge made to the Cubans when we interxened, or would sanction such policy. Tho president and his cabl- net and the congress want to see Cuba  government and, propose to do everythlg to promote that end. What they would do should Cuba make failure of the experi- neh or later seek annexation is an en- 1 tirely different question. The present poll 1 ey is to keep the Gedge lnTiolate, and it l will be kept Pettigrew and Butter, instead 1 of doing a friendly act to the Cubans by their insinuations, make the task much 1 more difficult.
 l ALBERT HALSTEAD.