The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-15

1t is very doubtful if the recent interview
Of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee regarding the cond-
tions existing in Cuba has attracted the at
tention TO which his opinions on that sub
ject are entitled. No man is better quail
fed to speak Of Cuba. its people and their
condition from long experience. He was in
Cuba FIVE or six years before the war with
Spain, when 1t was his duty to make Cuba
and all that pertained to it a study. Better
than any other American he knows the
people of Cuba. When. therefore. with this
knowledge, a man of General Lees natural
hOpefulness takes a pessimistic view it is
well to heed what he says.
Those who have read the interview OF
General Lee cannot but note his lack of
confidence in the mass of the Cuban people.
Because they became so peaceable under
the rule of General Wood, backed by the
United States army. many people assume
that the masses were taught the art of
self-government. There is reason to fear
we are mistaken about this We have been
in the school for hundreds of years and be-
long to the self-governing races, yet we are
far from graduation day. When the United
States took possession of the island the
Cubans really knew nothing Of government
which meant protection and real freedom
Composed of a mixture of races which have
never shown capacity for self-government
or really good government, it will be a
miracle if the Cubans have learned to gov
ern themselves in three years. 1t is this
fact that, back of the industrial depression
and the falling off of business, which
causes the grave doubts which General Lee
expresses. In this country, with our knowl-
edge of self-government and the respect
we, as a whole. have for law, a season of
business and Industrial depression would
be borne without further turmoil than a
change of policy incident to an election, but
in Cuba it is different The patience, forti-
tude and self-reliance which we so freely
commend to the Cubans the majority of
them know nothing of
Many people in this country seem to be
unable to appreciate the change which has
taken place in Cuba since the planters have
been unable to sell their sugar at a price
that would afford them any profit. An ex-
change expresses this feeling when it says
that it seems incredible that such change
/ OF conditions as General Lee represents
could have taken place since January,
when men testified before the ways and
means committee of the House that there
was no restitution in the island and that
/ labor was then well paid. If all the indus
! tries Of this country should be compelled "a
! shut down for lack If market we would
have in two months the change which
seems 10 have come to Cuba because of the
low price of it's sugar and the general lack
of confidence in the situation by the well.
/ informed who live in Cuba and those in this
country who have commercial relations
with the island.
1t is sincerely hoped that General Lee
may be in error, but he has given us warn.
ing of what we may expect in Cuba, so that
we should not be surprised If disorders ap.
pear. Indeed, all things considered, we
should be surprised If Cuba passes through
I the ordeal without instruction.