New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-15
THE CTBAV CRISIS.

Analrs IN cuba appear 10 have reached 4
stage at which almost anything is possible. and
at which some decisive action can scarcely be
long delayed. Yesterday forenoon there was
talk OF President Palma's having committed po-
litical suicide in asking for the landing Of Amer
lean troops 10 guard his palace, and yet in the
afternoon something much like the collapse OF
the instruction was reported. leaving us 10
wonder what to-day might bring forth. What is
certain Is that the approach Of American war
ships 10 the Cuban shores and the landing Of
few American marines some in response to Pres
ident Palma's request and some for the ordinary
purpose of guarding American lives and prop
erty. have had immediate and important cOnse-
quences. They have doubtless had a SOLDERING
effect upon the Cuban mind and II thus the in
surgent leaders have really been moved 10 order
suspension Of hOstilities and TO offer a surrender
Of themselves 10 the American authorities the
circumstances must he regarded with gratlfica-
tion. ~ matter what may he the American an
sWer 10 the offer.
That answer will doubtless be dictated by the
same excellent Judgment which has controlled
American policy toward Cuba all through this
unhappy episode. From one point OF view il
would seem 10 be an anomalous and scarcely ap-
prOpriate thing for the surrender OF the rebels TO
be accepted by American officers. They have not
been fighting against America The American
government has not interviewed in Cuba Why
should this country thus be dragged into the
matter? II they want 10 surrender. why not do
so 10 the lawful government Of the island? on
the other hand. the United States undoubtedly
has the reserved power Of exercising suzerainty
over Cuba. and on that ground such n surrender
might be justihable. Beyond doubt it would be
4 grateful undertaking for this country 10 con
tribute 10 the re-establshment OF peace in Cuba
I'm any way which would not involve it in bellig
erent or other acknowledgements
The letter OF President Roosevelt 10 Minister
Quesada. published this morning. and the pro-
posed visit OF Secretary Taft and Mr.. Bacon TO
the island should show the turbulent spirits
there that this government will not shirk its
duty toward Cuba.
Whatever may come Of the incident II must
BE- regretted that many Of the Liberals of
Cuba. Including men OF intelligence and charac-
ter, have identified themselves with so precipi-
tate and lawless a campaign as that which has
been In progress for many days IN various parts
OF the island. Note what a striking contrast has
been presented by the minority party OF another
republic OF the same race. The Liberals of Pan
anna professed TO be suffering great grievances,
similar 20 those OF which Cuban Liberals COM
plain-so far as We have been able 10 ascertain
anything about the latter. But they did not be-
gin campaign OF brigandage. On the contrary
a committee Of their foremost and most response
bic men prepared formal bill OF complaints
explicit and elaborate. and laid II before the
United States government; and afterward that
committee personally visited Washington and
renewed It's complaints and solicited the good
offices or this government for the righting OF
wrongs. Those respectful representations were
treated with respect. the American Minister 10
Panama took such action as seemed appropriate
and the whole matter was settled without the
striking Of q blow.
That Is the way in which II would have been
fitting for the cubans 20 act II they really
thought they suffered grievances and II they
wanted the good Offices Of the United States for
abating them. But they did Just the opposite
without ever making any formal explicit or In.
teIIgible statement OF their alleged grievances
or any decsnt request for American Influence Tor
the righting OF wrongs, they took up arms and
began fighting. lOoting and destroying property.
and threatening 10 ~raise hell" 10 such an extent
that the United States would be forced 10 inter
vene; and only now. after weeks OF disturbance
ana the loss Of much property ana many lives.