New-York tribune., 1906-09-22
THE CERAN PERIL.

Ii would be worse than idle to attempt TO
ignore or TO disguise the seriousness Of the
Cuban situation 1t would be folly TO minimize
and Il would be difficult to exaggerate the peril
in which that republic now stands. And the
worst feature OF the whole situation, the utmost
gravity OF the peril. must be perceived In the
apparent inability Of the Cuban leaders them
selves TO realize the plight into which they have
dragged the island through their factional AMI
mOsities. The timeworn allusion 10 NerO's id-
ding while Rome burned might apuy be re-
newed 20 describe the conduct OF politicians who
wrangle and bicker over the petty details OF par
tisanship at a time when their whole autOnO-
nous national edifice is shaking and threatening
TO come crashing down upon them in irretrlev-
able ruin. II is lamentable beyond expression
that they do not seem TO understand the impera-
tive and inevitable truth Of President ROosevelts
admOnition, that whoever is responsible for the
condition Of affairs which now prevails in Cuba
for SITS continuance as well as for its origin
is an enemy Of Cuba
There can be no question of the patience the
forbearance. the generosity and the absolute
correctness Of the conduct Of the United States
toward that insular republic. Our government
has done its best for the state which it prac-
tically created. When this present crisis arose
Il forbore as long as possible TO interfere with
even a word, hoping and trusting that the
Cubans would settle their own differences de-
Gently, without extraneOus aid or cOmpulsion.
When that hope failed the President sent 10
the island friendly message which In sincerity,
frankness and benevolence has probably never
been surpassed in all the literature of official cor
respondence Beyond that he sent to Cuba two
of the foremost members of his administration,
TO serve If IL might be, as mediatOrs between
cOntending factions and as peacemakers 10 the
distraught island If these efforts unhappily
prove TO be IN vain. If the Cubans will not ac-
cept such an opportunity for the adjustment of
their affairs, the alternative is one which is not
to be contemplated without profound regret and
reluctance but which seems as inevitable as the
rising of the morrow's sun.
Ii must be understood. and above all the
Cubans should understand that the United
States is not triiing in this matter. This ma
ton did not endure all that was thrust upon
it from the time Of Lopez to the destruction OF
the Maine and then fight a costly foreign war
lust TO have the same old nuisances continue
of its southern coast. When it set Cuba free
from Spain and then established it with an
autonomous government OF its own it did so for
the sake Of having peace and order in that
island. It is incOncelyable that any just and
thoughtful man can charge this country with
desiring 10 intervene IN Cuba TO subvert the
insular government or TO retake possession Of
that island in any way. But it is also incon-
ceivable that this country should tolerate under
Cuban rule the denominations which moved it
10 eXpel Spanish rule from the Antilles. What
every man of influence in Cuba, of whatever
party, needs above all else to do is to remem-
Der and to act upon President ROOsevelts words,
that "the only way they can preserve the indie
'pendence Of the republic is to prevent the
necessity Of outside interference" For the ne
cessity of outside interference is now very close
at hand.