The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-07
CUBA'S WAR AND ITS CONSE-
OUENCES.

WASHINGTON, Sept. G-Tho American
idea OF the proper way to carry on . con-
rict, whether IL be war, instruction or
~rsticu1s, Ii an aggressive campaign In
which the opponent, IL struck FIRST and
frequent and a. heavily a. possible. Hence
h general American opinion OF Cuba's
little difficulty is that IL IL a sort OF opera
boufe affair, somewhat smusing and on
h whole rather harmless. Groups Of
armed men in rebellion against the Gov
eminent are assembled In greater or less
numbers in different parts OF the island,
while the forces OF the Government are pre-
sumably engaged in strenuous efforts to
disperse them. Occasionally in the course
Of their movements the contestants meet
and there 10 q little shooting, with a few
casualties.
The Cuban way is not our way, and for
the purposes Of those engaged the Cuban
way is the wisest way under the circum-
stances. II the Government forces were
ordered to pursue relentlessly, fight vigor-
ously and slay ruthlessly, many Of them,
perhaps most Of them, would in all prob
ability refuse to obey. They have no de-
sire to kill their friends, kinsmen and neigh
bors. For the same reason the rebels have
no desire to kill soldiers, rural guards or
police. II either aide became bloodthirsty it's
cause would be lost. Public opinion would
turn against It in deep offence. Twice
within fifty years some Of Cuba's citizens
have fought Spaniards, but they have never
fought each other, and they are not at all
eager to do 80 now. A few officials may
talk about stamping out the revolution
and the Government may buy quantities
Of arms and ammunition, but the game il
most likely to be played out along the lines
1t has thus far followed.
II the end is not reached through the now
seemingly remote possibility that the rebels
will get tired Of riding about the country
and Of camping in the manigua, the contest
will more than probably result in q draw.
If both sides remain determined the game
Of hide and seek among the towns and hills
might continue indefinitely; but continu-
ance for a few weeks more will bring a new
element into the arena, and IL will be an
element that will make itself heard. This
will he the economic interests, the planters
and the merchants. Very few Of them are
in any way mixed up in the ~wrangles Of
the polidcos. They care little who is Presi-
dent or who is in the Senate, who has a
JFp ohN WIN hoH " AhCy w III 6IOot
principle involved in the present squabble.
They see only ruin for themselves and for
the great majority OF the island people il
order is not speedily restored and industry
quickly reestRblished.
Many Of Cuba's sugar planters were hit
heavily last winter. The total crop Of the
island was sold for something like SIS ,OOO,-
600 less than the crop of the preceding
season. The tobacco people also had bad
luck on the last crop. Both have been
looking forward to the coming season in
hope Of retrieving their I'll fortune. While
there may be some interoession with the
rebels, some effort to induce them to lay
Town their arms and return 10 the planta-
tons, it is more probable hat the planters
will turn against a Government which has
failed to make itself master Of the situation
IL the contest is prolonged.
The economic situation is rapidly ap-
preaching a crisis. The tobacco planters
should even now be busy in their fields, and
the cleaning OF the cane fields preparatory
to the beginning Of the grinding season in
December must soon get under way. The
struggle may 60 on for many months with
out n serious loss Of life, but IL cannot
60 on for even a few weeks without grave
danger Of industrial ruin to the island.