The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-20
CREDITABLE TO ROOT

Since the failure of the Cuban consti-
tuuonal convention to establish the rela>
lions which should prevail on the part of
the young republic toward its national
sponsor, the name of Gen. Wood has not
been held in as high esteem among the
as it was wont to be. The official con-
duct OF that gentleman has been sub
jected of late to considerable criticism,
and he has been held up to public view
as having failed to carry out the wishes
and purposes of his masters.
Considering the splendid services which
Gen. Wood had rendered to both the
United States and Cuba before his APP
pointmcnt as governor and the earnest
ness of his conduct as a public character
it is especially gratifying at this time
to learn of the unqualified Endorsement
extended to the conduct of Gov. Wood by
his superior in office, Secretary Root.
That official declares the administration
to be thoroughly satisfied with the con-
duct of Gov. Wood in connection with
the management of affairs in the con-
vention, and adds that if the work had z
be done over again no different policy
would have been pursued
The situation i'll Cuba is in no sense
or degree threatening. The convention
or some other governmental agency will
carry into operation the plans outlined in
the proposed programme represented by
the recent proposals. The American peo-
those demands; and it would be folly to
believe that the power will not be exer-
cised. Not an American soldier must be
removed from the island until the de-
mands are acceeded to. They are reas-
enable. They are Indispensable to the
national safety and honor. There is
nothing in them which in the slightest
measure initiates against the most
absolute control on the part Of the
Cuban republic of its national concerns
The attitude taken by the majority OF
the delegates is in no sense or degree a
matter fer which Gov. Wood should be
holden responsible. Doubtless he might
by the exercise of the powers which his
position placed in his hands have Sc
cured the election of number of dunn
mics to the national convention; but he
would thereby have heen committing
public outrage The attitude of the
Cuban representatives the Cuban people
are responsible for. If that attitude is
in any way ratified by the Cuban people,
or should an effort afterwards be made
to discard the obligations outlined in the
proposals made this government will
doubtless be ready promptly to meet such
situation. For the present the posi-
ton taken in Cuba is one which cannot
be maintained, and the sooner those
having the formulation of the Cuban Or
ganic law in their control back away
from that position the better for the
future Of the Cuban republic, for the
good name Of the Cuban people and the
future relations of the two countries.
It is not with Gov Wood or anything
he has done or avoided that the Ameri-
can people are disposed to find fault 1t
is with the spirit of ingratitude and
demagogism which has manifested itself
through the sentiments of certain of
the delegates to the Cuban convention,
and with the delay which has taken
place in asserting to proposals which
national safety and self-respect enjoined
as necessary. Nor should any modif1ca-
ton whatever of those proposals be al
lowed save in the one direction suggest
cd by Gen. Gomez, of having the coaling
stations sought by the United States
secured through medium of lease rather
than by transfer of territorial owner
ship.