The Irish standard., 1902-01-11
THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA.

in April, 1898, resolved that "the peo-
pie of Cuba are, and ought of right to
be, free and independent" The peo-
pie, regardless Of political affiliations,
concurred in the resolution adopted by
Congress, and Cuba Libre" was the
cry throughout the country. After es-
tablishing a stable government in
Cuba, Congress decreed that as soon
thereafter as the Cubans were ready
for self-governmentt they could have it
without any Interference or control
by the United States. The time at
last arrived, and few days ago the
Cubans elected their first president.
There were two candidates for the
neutrality-suspicious. and Maso-the for
mer of whom was elected by a large
majority. The people made an ex-
cellent choice in electing Tomas
Estrada Palma, though the supporters
of Maso appear greatly disappointed
over the defeat of their standard
bearer. The successful candidate is
67 years of age, and has been identi-
fed with Cuban liberty since 1868.
In that year began the ten years re-
volt, and Palma at once took the field
with a large force Of patriots, rem
dered splendid service as soldier and
was elected to various civil offices,
ultimately to the presidency of the
republic.
In 1877 he was captured with Cen
eral Garcia and both were trans
ported to Spain. Palma was confined
in n castle in Catalonia until the fol-
lowing year, when peace came. An
amnesty was declared, and Garcia and
he were released on parole not to go
back to Cuba. Garcia remained in
Spain, but Palma went to Honduras
as teacher. There he married the
daughter>of the president, but soon
left the country and came to the
United States, where he taught school
up to the breaking out of the last
Cuban revolution, when he was ap-
pointed by the insurgents to repre-
sent Cuba in this country. He served
on the Cuban junta in New York, and
since the war ended has resided with
his family of wife and six children at
Central Valley, Orange county, N. Y.
President Palma is man of
sound judgment and conservative
views who will give his native land
the benefit of his knowledge in ad-
ministrative affairs. He has the re-
spect of the American people in whom
he places confidence to treat Cuba
with generosity in commercial rela-
lions.
A Washington dispatch to the New
York Sun says that after transferring
the island of Cuba to the republican
government the United States will not
withdraw it's troops but leave them
there for an indefinite period to pro-
tect American rights and suppress any
insurrection that may arise in the fu
turc. A member of congress is quoted
as saying that the detention of the
troops in Cuba is to expedite annexa-
ton if any considerable number of
Cubans desire it. How much truth
there Is in this report we are unable
to say. In our opinion. the best thing
for Cuba is annexation with the
United States, but the people should
not be coerced, but allowed to seek it
of their own free will. They ought
to be given every chance to show
their ability for self-government. At
ter a few years they may seek annex
alton of their own atcord, and then
Cuba should be admitted as a state
of the Union and not as colony like
Porto Rico. The American people
wish Cuba every success as "A self
governing republic.