New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-28
"CTB4 LIBRE."

The Presidents message, recommending that
provision be made for the establishment of a
diplomatic and consular service in the republic
of Cuba, is another impressive reminder OF the
fact that the Pearl of the Antilles is about to
enter into the enjoyment Of her long-desired
freedom It is a reminder, too, Of the quality
of that freedom. For there is the freedom or
strength and there is the freedom of weakness.
There is the freedom Of law and there is the
freedom Of anarchy. a century and quarter
ago this nation chose for itself the freedom OF
strength and of law. 1t chose well, and it has
prospered under that choice in a way that has
been the wonder and the envy Of the world In
recent years this nation has been compelled by
the force of events TO take active interest
in the welfare of another people struggling to
be free 1t has interviewed in its behalf, and
has won for it the freedom which for century
il coveted. In establishing that freedom as a
perpetual possession and Inheritance there
arose again the question which kind of free
dom it should be. There has been little hesita-
ton on either side in making the answer and
the choice The freedom of Cuba Libre' is TO
be freedom guaranteed by strength and
ordered by law.
That was the meaning of the Plat amend
ment TO the Cuban constitution. That meaning
is emphasized in the explicit and straightfor-
ward letter of instructions sent by the Secre
tary of War to the Military Governor of Cuba
concerning the evacuation Of the island by
American troops. 1t has its final reaffirmation
in the Presidents message. The government
and control of the island are 10 be surrendered
in good faith to the people of the island. But
the island is not TO be left helpless before any
possible menace from without or within, and
the benefcent results OF international impor-
IL L
set Cuba free are not to be permitted to lapse
or to fall into decay. In years now long past
the word 'NIexicanized" was used as a term Of
description and reproach applied to a govern
ment which was unstable through frequent revo-
utions Our Mexican neghbors will pardon us
for recalling the word, which for many years
has had only an historic purport. Well, 1t is in
tended by the United States that the govern
ment of Cuba shall not be "Mexicanzed." 1t
may be what the Mexican Government is to-
day, but not what it was a generation or more
ago. The island shall not be left helpless. to be
the prey Of any freebooters that may covet it,
but the sound principle is TO be maintained that
IL i easier to keep intruder out than TO expel
him after he has entered. Nor shall the superb
sanitary achievements of the last few years be
lost but the pestilence now laid shall be kept
in subsection. These are the meanings of the
law and the decree under which cuba Llbre'
takes her place among the nations of the world.
Is the choice well made? 1t is inconcevable
that any American should hesitate TO answer.
Yes. 1t is confidently TO be believed that all in
telligent and patriotic Cuhans are of the same
mind. Upon that point there is no better
thority than the who was during the last
war the head of the Cuban Junta, if not indeed
the whole .Tunta, and who is now the first Presi-
dent-eect of the Cuban Republic. The govern
ment Of the United States" said Mr.. Palma,
has shown most beautiful example of good
faith in dealing with a weak government.
g 1t has given TO the world an evidence
"of goodwill seldom found. The people
'of the United States have remembered their
own Declaration of Independence and have
fulfilled a duty 10 mankind" That is what
Mr.. Palma said in full knowledge of Mr.. Roots
orders to General Wood and after comforting
with Mr.. Root upon the subject. 1t is TO be be-