The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-15
P%ossEBILETIEs EN. cURA.

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the Palma Administration can only be
regarded as extremely critical, The view
is taken by many American commentators
that Mr.. Palma and his advisers rave
acted wisely in rejecting proposals Of arbi-
tration and conn promise. and that the au-
thorities should proceed to stamp out the
rebellion at once, and relentlessly. This
view would be very much sounder II there
we're more reason to regard the Govern
ment a. big enough and strong enough for
the job.
The Cuban authorities have a fair supply
OF available money on hand. and II the
Congress revokes the appropriations OF its
last session there will be money in album
dance. They have plenty Of arms and
ammunition. 1t happens, however, h a
revolutions are suppressed by men In the
field with gum In their hands rather than
by cash in the bank or by rifles and car
tridges In the arsenal. There IL nothing in
the situation to-day to indicate that the
Government has or 10 likely to have a sufR-
cient number Of men TO suppress the revolt
by the process OF stamping 1t out. Should
it prove possible to disperse the present
bands OF hundreds and thousands, the
rebellion would undoubtedly be continued
by a large number Of small predatory
bands absolutely beyond control or sup
preston by the Government forces.
Tbs recent rebuff of the veteran Generals,
who sought peace through adjustment OF
the political differences, has made many
enemies for the Government and many
friends for the revolutionists. The suspen-
sion by Presidential decree OF constitu-
tionsl guarantees OF personal liberty only
a few days before the assembling OLA
special session OF Congress, and the arrest ,
under that suspension, Of Senators and
Representatives prominent In the party OF
the opposition, can only be regarded a. a
blunder. 1t h too broadly open 70 the
construction which many put upon IL,
namely, that IL Is only a revival Of the policy
by which the Moderates carried the cleo
ton last fall. BY both OF these acts the
Government has vastly weakened its posi-
ton with the people Of the island. The
suspension OF constitutional guarantees
should have been left for an act OF Con-
gress, so soon to be convened.
Tho outcome in the island il beyond any
safe prediction. The Government asserts
it's ability to control the situation, but IL
loses ground continually. There seems TO
be no reason whatever to look for any large
volunteer enlistment in support OF the
Administr alton, while the rebel forces are
evidently gaining many adherents. II the
provinces Of Santiago and Camaguey
should rise, a now seems most probable,
there viii be little hope left for the present
Government. II Havana is assaulted in
force, asIis threatened, the special purpose
Of the attack will be to secure arms and
ammunition from the Government store
houses. such an attack be made q
bloody conflict may ensue. II would prob
ably be attended by an attempt to kill or
capture President Palma, Capote. Montalvo
and Andrade, although all Of them would
in such a case doubtless find refuge on
board the Denver, which could be reached
in ten minutes from the door Of the Palace.
Even at its best the outlook Ia dark, and
1t is difficult TO reach any other conclusion
than that as matters now stand the rebels
have the upper hand and that II their game
be shrewdly played they can win without
p~recipitating American intervention.
So far a the position Of this country is
concerned, sven the downfall Of the pres
ent Administration and it's appeal for aid
would not necessitate interference. The
United States Is under no obligation. legal
OF moral, to intervene in Cuban Affairs for
the support or for the continuance In power
Of any particular political party or any par
ticular group OF men. The Platt Amend
ment gives no right to amer the island
and no authority 70 intervene In lie affairs
except under certain specified conditions.