New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-10-05
GOVERNOR MACON FOR CUBA.

The work Of pacifying Cuba and reorganizing
its government on a stable basis proceeds with
gratifying smoothness and expedition and with
strong promise OF successful contamination at
a not remote date. Particularly suspicious OF
good is the appointment Of Mr.. Magoon TO be
the provisional Civil Governor Of the island.
Since II was first suggested this appointment
has seemed 10 many an ideal one Mr.. Magoon
has returned only this week from Panama,
where he governor of the canal zone for
more than a year, and where he had to deal
with precisely those pecularities Of racial tenn
permanent and those partisan and fractional rival
ries which are now so unpleasantly conspicr-
Gus and active in Cuba. How perfectly his
work was done in Panama has already been
told in columns. That, with his exceptional
experience and qualifications Of mind and man.
ner, he can do the same work In Cuba Is hardly
open TO doubt. His appointment TO Cuba has
the additional and by no means inconsiderable
advantage that II permits the retention in Porto
Rico of the invaluable services Of Governor
Winthrop, whose departure from that island,
even for a short time, would give occasion for
much regret
Nor is this Cuban commission likely 10 Inter
fere materially with the plans hitherto made for
Mr.. Magoon's work In the larger and In some
respects more arduous field OF the Philippines
haps by the end of this year, it will be practt-
cable TO hold a general election in Cuba for the
choice of O new President, and soon thereafter
TO restore the government of the island to its
people In that case Mr.. Magoon's departure
for the Ear East will have been merely de-
layed for a short time probably to the deTf-
ment OF nobody, and possibly TO the avoidance
OF some little embarrassmen For by that time
the expected vacancy in the Governor General
ship Of the Philippines may occur, SO that MT.
Nogoon NAV AT once succeed TO that office In
stead Of spending weeks or months in the some
what anomalous position Of an understuoy. III
is easy TO understand the earnest desire or the
President and the Secretary of War to get Mr..
Magoon to Manila and have the use or his
services there at the earliest possible date. But
the demands of the philippines are not so ur-
gent as those of Cuba. They can afford TO wait,
while this country, for its own sake and Cuoas,
cannot afford to send to Havana any one but
the man who seems Of all best qualified for that
place. That is why the Presidents deternlna-
ton 10 send Mr.. Magoon to Cuba and TO let
the Philippines wait a little while will be re-
garded with cordial approval.
With matters moving forward SO auspfciousy,
IT still must not be forgotten that the situation
is a delicate one, and will require the most
careful handling IN order TO complete the Work
That is why 1t is essential to send such man
as Mr. Magoon TO Havana. Above all, 1t is
essential that nothing shall be said or done to
Impair the confidence which the Cubans have
in the benevolence and good faith of this gov
eminent Their confidence is fully deserved
OF that no rational man in this country makes
question The President and the Secretary OF
War are absolutely sincere in declaring that 1t
is the purpose Of this government to help CuDa
10 resume her self-government and TO maintain
# Any suggestions to a contrary effect, any
predictions that the United States Will. or ar
g11ments that it should, abolish Cuban indepen-
dence and annex the island are therefore to
be deprecated as entirely at variance with the
policy of the government and as calculated-if
they have any effect at ALTO embarrass it In
the difficult task which 1t has IN hand by en-
rendering suspicion and distrust in the minds
of some Cubans who may not realize how void
of authority and how contrary TO the mind of
the American government and people such ut
terances are.