New-York tribune., 1901-04-26
THE CUBAN VISITORS.

The Cuban Commissioners who are now Vlslt-
ing the capital are reported TO be somewhat
surprised at the manner of their reception, ana
to be puzzled over its meaning In this there
is reason though there is also lack OF reason.
There should certainly be no surprise at ther
being received with friendliness and with dis
tinguished courtesy. The United states GOV
ernment is not composed of Doors and ruftians.
1t has never been found lacking in hospitality
or in politeness The veriest stranger win no
claims to especial recognition or even one VINO
is through adverse circumstances not altogether
persona grata, is sure of respectful treatment.
1t was foregone conclusion that the CuDans,
who sustain peculiarly intimate relations to this
country, and who represent matters OF great I'M
portance TO It, would meet with most hearty
welcome 1t is really to be hoped they are not
so much surprised at that as some reports have
seemed TO Indicate They surely cannot have
thought i'll of this government as to imagine
they would not be we'll received.
Another cause of surprise on their part Is
more eXplicable. They are surprised to lind not
only the government but the nation practically
a unit In its attitude toward them and toward
the questions which they have come hither to
discuss. Such surprise is not unnatural. They
know what radical divisions and even animos-
tiles exist among their own people: and. Ike the
rest of humanity. they inclined to judge
others by themselves In this deluson they
have been encouraged and confirmed by the in
temperate partisan and factional utterances
which have been made in this country. Their
surprise and the new and true knowledge which
will follow close upon it will be beneficent TO
them. 1t is emlnently desirable that they
should dismiss all hopes-if ever they cherished
any-of being able to trade upon factonaI differ
ences here, and should realize promptly and
fully that they dealing with power which
presents united front and which Is committed
to consistent and permanent policy toward
them.
We doubt not that still another surprise is In
store for them, If it is not already dawnng upon
them. That Is, that the purposes of the United
States toward them and their island are not the
selfish and wicked schemes which a few ire
sponsible lbellers here have represented them
and which some i'll informed men in Cuba have
imagined them TO be- but that they are instinct
with a generosity and benevolence unsur-
passed in the history of such transactions
Emilio Agunado declares that his resistance to
American authority arose from ignorance of this
cOuntrys character and misconception of its
motives and aims, and that now. having become
enlightened upon the subject he is fully salts
fed with America. The cases OF Cuba and the
Philippines are not analogous. There Is scarce
ly point Of resemblance between them. But
there IS reason to believe that In the latter
so in the former, there has been an unfortunate
misconception of this country's plans and pur-
poses, and, indeed, of It's obligations and that
with the correction of such error there will
arise general sentiment of confidence in this
country and of satisfaction with It's policy II
such correction of misapprehensions shall come
to the Cuban Commissioners during this visit
the good fruitfulness of their visit will fulfil all
expectations.