The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-20
THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA.

TUESDAY, MAY 20. 1902
THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA.
To-day Thomas Estrada Palma will be
inaugprated President of the republic of
Cuba and the new republic begins Its new
life. It has been the dream Of Cubans
Tor years to haze government Of their
own: officered by their own people. with
law-rnalsing bodies composed Of represen-
tatives elected by the people of Cuba,
and working ander laws for their govern
naent made by such representative bodies.
For many long, weary ysars the people
groaned under tho volss OF Spanish OPP
preston. Government AVS mockery.
appear. except SO far as she might ex-
tort money from tho inhabitants Of the
island.
Not only so. but Cuba was used as
means of enriching favorites Of the Span
ish Government. The government itself
imposed heavy taxes and the officers Of
government. like the publcans Of old.
levied special taxes for their own emolu-i
ment. And so, under this vicious system
Cuba became prey both to the greed of
Spain and to the greed of Spanish Off
GERS. The people had no hope. They
were slaves and slavishly did they toll
for their masters. Il was no wonder that
revolutions were frequent for Il man is
s man even though he be down-trodden
Cuban. The people preferred death to
such oppression, and many and many a
brave fellow gave his life for the cause
of Cuba Lbre.
This sort of thing went on at the very
doors Of the United States until we. as
humane and liberty-loving people, could
stand it no longer, and we served notice
upon Spain that the outrages which were
practiced upon our neighbors must stop.
In reply to this demand on our part one
harbor at Havana, and although the
Spanish Government denied responsible
~. the people of the United States were
convinced that the vessel was destroyed
by Spanish officials. and the day of reck-.
oninE with Spain had come. Preparations
for war were at once made on both sides,
and 1t was only a little while before the
war was on in full force It was of short
duration. however, and the inevitable VIC
tory for our arms came sooner than even
we had expected. The Spaniards fought
with little heart. because they knew that
they had brought this doom upon them
selves by their own acts Of cruelty and
oppression and doubtless many of them
were glad to be riu of these colonial pos
sessions which had proven to be curse
rather than a blessing.
After the war was over and the treaty
OF peace had been signed we then set 10
work to put the affairs of Cuba in order
and to give to these people that which
we had said was theirs by right, to-wlt'
q free government of their own. But
there was much work to be done. First
OF all, it was necessary to give the Island
a good securing. SO to speak. 1t was
full of filth and disease germs and for
our own protection as well as Tor the
protection of the Cubans it was neces-
sary to clean up and stamp the disease
out This work at least was admirably
done. as is attested by the fact that there
has not been a new case of yellow fever
in Cuba for six months.
It was also our business to restore or
Der in the island and to make all things
ready for turning the government over
20 the natives. The United States Gov
eminent became the schoolmaster for
Cuba. We established a first-c!ass sys-
tenn of schools for the children, and we
have been trying to educate the people
,lp to an appreciation of the duties and
responsibilities and privileges of citizen
shin. How far we have succeeded in all
this remains to be seen. Mistakes have
been made and the inevitable spokesman
was in evidence But, altogether, we
have done good work. and now, true to
cur promise, we have. cleaned the house
and furnished it as well as we could ana
Put the Cubans to housekeeping.
It is idle to make predictions. We have
given the Cubans a government Of their
own, NE have given them a good send
off. and they have the best wishes of
the American people for their success.
So 5:----------@=
sptcAMnND# AS a. FINANCIAL CEN