Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-10-04

an independent republic.
The present turmoil in Cuba Is OF
a political nature. When the new
republic held its first election, Tomas
Estrada Palma, lifelong patriot,
who then enjoyed the thorough con-
hdenee of Cubans generally, was chos-
en- president, His administration
started of under splendid prospects,
but soon trouble arose, parties formed,
and the usual divisions OF the LATIN
American self-governing common
wealth took shape.
The danger in such divisions, and
how they differ from those of cooler
blooded peoples, is that they usually
require blood-letting to settle. One
party secures the government; the
other takes up arms in rebellion. So
in Cuba, when the second national
elections were held, they were at
tended by excitement and disorder.
The Moderate party again prevailed
and Palma received q reelection, but
the Liberals, defeated at the polls, set
up a cry of fraud, and 1t was not long
before the insurrectionary banner was
raised, drawing to it, either in person
or sympathy, most of the Liberals.
The movement spread rapidly. The
administration lacked popular support
and seemed destined to fall. after a
long and sanguinary struggle, since
the government, in possession OF the
forts and seaports, was in position to
hold out long time. during which
period much loss of lite, destruction
of property and general distress would
certainly ensue.
AT this juncture came the warning
from President Roosevelt for Cubans
to cease their quarreling and restore
peace, or America would intervene.
Negotiations between the two fac
tons followed, but neither would
yield to the point where the other
would accept, and nothing came of it.
Then Taft was sent to Havana to
bring the combatants together, il
possible. OF the sincere desire of both
the president and his secretary of war
to bring about conditions that would
make intervention unnecessary, there
can be no suspicion. TAFT put on all
the pressure he possibly could. He
heard both sides and considered their
opposing claims. Then he blocked
out basis of settlement that he con-
sdered fair and just. The Liberals,
through their leaders, acceded to it,
but the Palma party rejected it as it
involved the retirement of several
men OF prominence in their number.
The Cuban Congress would not
assemble to accept the designations or
act on the proposition in any way.
The plan of the Moderates was to
force American intervention, in prefer
ence to giving the Liberals the recog-
milton provided for.
So there was nothing left but to
intervene. The United States will
take control of the Cuban govern
ment. Military and naval forces
sufficient to keep peace and public
order throughout the island-no mean
task at any time, but especially oner-
Gus now-will be despatched at once.
When tranquility shall have been
restored and Cuba again seems fit to
take up for herself the responsibilities
OF selt-government, she will be per-
mitted to, and not until The United
States will be the judge of this, and
the time may be long conf. g. While
our people have an earnest desire to
see Cuba free and independent, and
are disposed to make due allowance
for the shortcomings OF new repub-
lie in its first experience with self
government, we find it too trouble.
some and expensive a matter to
straighten out the discords and sci
things right down there very often
There is ever present, too, the idea
that Cuban liberty is sentiment,
more than sensible step in the line
OF destiny, and that the sooner the
island becomes a nominal part of the
American union, as it is ever certain
to be largely in effect, the better fol
Cuba and the Cubans, though perhaps
not for the continental union.
| Timely and Valuable Suggestions.