The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-19

and d~igniied systems that the world has
ever known. Out of $40 civil orders issued
I'm 1900 some go affect the legal system OF
the island.
We have reduced the taxes. Our relief In
that department is apparent rather than
real. We have reduced the annual budget
by about one-third. But the relative ability
OIL the island TO bear taxation is to be taken
into account. When. in 1868, and again in
1885, eXOrbitant taxation was one of the
principal factors in armed revolt, the island
was better able to bear dOuble the amount
1t was then called upon to pay than it now
is to pay twO-thirds of what it then paid.
The burden of taxation is a relative propo-
sitiOn rather than an absolute.
We may gladly admit, and the Cubans do
the same, that some real benefits have
come as n result Of American Intervention.
But these benefits should not be overesti-
mated, nor should any undue amount OF
gratitude be demanded In return for them.
All that we have done for Cuba fails to
compensate for that which We have not
done fer her. Our sin Of omission is glaring
and now rises to threaten US, as well as
Cuba a fair measure of Industrial pros
perity is the only basis for national content,
the touchstone of successful administra-
ton, the very groundwork of social and
political stability. Let some of those who
think that we have ''done enough for Cuba
point out for US what we have lone to helm
the Cubans along this line. Said an old
writer, very wisely:
1.-The turnpike road to peoples hearts. ]
find,
Lies through their mouths. or I mistake
mankind"
The United States has wholly missed that
road in it's experience in Cuba and so bas
failed to find the heart Of the people. Cuba
is poorer to-day than at any time during
the last eighty years. when revolt has fol
lowed revolt for the betterment of her eco
nom1c condition. The devastation of the
war is fundamentally responsible for this
poverty. But in a land like Cuba. wonder
full in its resources and in its fertility, re-
cuperatiOn is a matter of months, and not
OF years. Yet the seaturtle, placed upon
its back, can turn over quite as easily as a
poVerty-stricken people can restore their
devastated fields without aid. What we
have really done for Cuba is to spend her
money along lines which, important though
they be, would better have been left until
the burden of them could have been carried
by the profits Of general industry.
To-day Cuba is at our doors skins that
we do for her that which we should have
begun to do three years ago. That which
has been done in Cuba for her industrial
rehabilitation has been done by the col
iective and individual efforts OF the Cubans
themselves, though we take to ourselves the
credit for it. Sundry American congress
men are now disposed to say to Cuba: Get
OUT We have done enough for YOU AL
ready. See your clean streets and YOUR
schoolhouses You may be in danger Of
starving TO death, but that is none Of our
business. We must protect our home in
dustries." 1t is to be hoped hat other
congressman will realize that there is an
other side to this protection. 1t is to be
hoped that a majority will realize hat en-
ba does not come as a beggar for orr
charity, but as one who, for every pound
of sugar which we buy from her at reason
ably profitable rates for the planters viii
offer US, in fair exchange, her orders for a
far greater amount Of our wares and NOR
chandise Only when we have given her
this can we rightly say that we bave 49,
enough for her. Only when we have es-
tablished a peaceful Cuba. peaceful because
prosperous, can we Justly claim to have
done that for which We went 10 war with
Spain. Thus far our experience in Cuba ,s
little short of failure.