The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-07
PALMA'S P~REDICAMENT.
support OF General Maso More Dam
gerous than His Opposition.
Atlanta Constitution.

Atlanta Constitution.
1t is considered significant that General
Bartolome MasO has given his adhesion 10
the presidency of General Tomas Estrada
Palma in Cuba. Maso> was the candidate
of the revolutionary element against Palma.
He represents the ultra Cubans and is the
strongest man in the ranks Of the anti
American party on the island. That he was
defeated for the presidency is attributed
by him and his partisans to the influence
OF the American authorities in debating
the suffrage and supervising the presi-
Dental election.
Now he seems to accept the situation
and with that keen sense OF diplomatic art
that the Cuban has contracted from Span
ish models. he is playing to get on the In
side. where he can see the wheels oper-
ate and know when the time is opportune
to throw a scantling among the spokes.
Already the programme in which Maso is a
chief actor is obtruded before Palma in the
shape of a demand for sSo.coO.coO of direct.
cash-on-the-nail pensions. That demand
has been cherished in the breasts OF the
Maso-Roban-Rabi crowd since the hour OF
the Spanish surrender and some of the
leaders have gone so far as to sound Euro
pean money lenders on the terms Of a bond
issue for the purpose so soon as the Cuban
government is operative.
Palma will have to face this issue and
in it behold the crux of his peace and
larity as the first President OF the repub-
lie. The Cuban soldier who thinks he fought.
or dreams that he bled, for the freedom OF
his country is as anxious TO graft onto the
gratitude and treasure Of the nation as the
Grand Army of the Republic has ever been
in this country. His argument is the same
precisely as that which has prevailed TO es-
tablish our own enormous pension system
and that is yet powerful enough TO compel
a Republican President to throw out an Of
fensively honest pension commissioner. as
II. Clay Evans. at the demand of the pen
sion army and their attorneys.
The Cuban soldiery. so-called. belongs 20
the exploiting. reckless and dangerous pop
ulation of the island. They mean 10 have
money or blood. Maso will use all HIS con-
summate art as a politician and profession
al patriot TO get the cash. But II Palma
and his conservative followers are firm and
refuse TO bond the island for the next ten
generations in order TO fill the pockets OF
the soldiers TO the tune OF about S.og9
each. there is sure TO be trouble.
Even IL Palma, for the sake of peace and
the success of his personal term as Presi-
dent. should yield TO the pension party.
the United States would veto the scheme.
The Platt amendments restrain the Cuban
government from contracting debts that the
evenues Of the island cannot care for. and
this pension bond issue would be notorious
~ far beyond the capacity OF the govern
ment 10 provide for the interest. TO say
nothing of a sinking fund TO pay the prin-
cipal at some time in the future.
1t is bad for Palma that Maso and his
crowd have become friendly. They are
joining the dominant party with the idea OF
controlling IL or wrecking e. But in either
event the United States remain to be
reckoned with. and any attempt 20 rob or
revolutionize the island will lead TO its
prompt and forcible annexation.
TT Of Do uyhof vUo QXnonf 70 n hQnpan hA-
fore the first Cuban flag over MORO Is
wind-shredded