The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-10-22
Cuba's Destiny.

Cuba's Destiny.
It Is interesting to note the differing
opinions expressed by the newspapers
Of this country with respect to the situa.
ton In Cuba and the policy and justice
of Intervention by the United States
In saying Cuba must work out ita
own salvation" the Baltimore News
voices pretty accurately the conviction
In the minds Of most Americans during
the crisis Of 1893. The Cubans at that
time claimed the right to be quit OF
Spanish domination and oppression. 1t
was a reasonable demand, and this
country not only aided the island to
throw Off the Spanish yoke, but was
particular not to impose upon the coun-
try a regime which would interfere
with normal development. The Phila-
delphia Ledger thinks that this policy
of our government should be continued.
1t says:
If the Cubans are ever to have q stable
government they must work 1t out for
themselves This country Is bound to
protect them from foreign aggression. Oue
is equally bound itself to respect their
independence. We want no more de-
tendencies. and we could not. at the
present stage Of political development,
admit Cuba as one OF the United STATES
In this we believe American opinion to
be practically unanimous, and we do not
doubt that the policy of the government
will be persistently in accord with 1t.
The question of preserving order in
Cuba, however, is considered para
mount by the st. Louis Globe-Demo-
crat, which says annexation lis not
only inevitable, but cannot be postponed
many years longer" Using the same
argument, the Washington Post de-
clares:
Should the Palma government fall-and
this manifestly is within the range Of
iunremote probabilities-chaos will reign
in the island republic for a greater or
less period. The president would then be
face to face with a more delicate and
embarrassing situation than at present
exists, for he would be compelled to send
soldiers or sailors there to protect life
and property, restore order and assist in
the rehabilitation Of the government.
This is equivalent to saying that the
government of the United States is
permanently responsible for good order
in Cuba and can readily make Cuban
malcOntentS behave. This view Is open
to doubt in the mind of the New Or
leans Times Democrat, which says:
1t would probably be the better for
Cuba. all things cons idered, that the
quarrel should be fought out. In the last
analysis all governments are founded on
force and the government which has not
the power to maintain its authority has
no reason for existence. The Palma gov
eminent is on trial, and if it fails to per-
form the ordinary functions Of govern
ment there would seem to be no reason
why 1t should be maintained by the bay
onets Of the United States army. What
the government of this country could do
would be to first put down the revolution
and then establish a provisional govern
ment and these things are not to be
done in breath. We are disposed to be-
lieve that the mere presence of Ameri-
can troops on the island would frighten
the insurgents into submission. 1t is true
that the Cuban insurgents have never
up and fight. but their fright at the ap-
pearance of trained and disciplined troops
might not have the effect supposed. 1t
might induce them to take to the hills
and conduct a desultory guerrilla war
fare, the main purpose of which would
doubtless be the preying upon the peace
full and unprotected inhabitants Of the
country.
The same objection to Intervention by
this government is held by the Phila-
delphia Press. and there is hint in the
following from it's columns that under
United States control Cuba will not
be free to work out her own destiny.
Says this paper:
Interference in Cuba is a serious inter-
national act not to be lightly entered up
on. 1t involves international responsible.
aties Of the first order. and, once taken,
the consequences are not easily foreseen.
1t Is easy to begin interference and thera
are those ready highly to advise 1t. but
when the troops of friendly power en-
ter foreign territory to preserve. order,
however justified may be the act, it is
one easier to begin than to end.
If disorder continues to grow and the
tect life and property the United States
must act. and when it does act it must
see to it that revolution and instruction
do not become as In other Spanish-Amer-
lean lands, the chosen and familiar path
by which defeated politicians gain place,
pelf and power.