The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-19
The Cuban Dilemma.

~ 50 >ND@ 10 0hAONty "
us and it threatens to become danger
ous. Press dispatches and private adj
vices assert the rapid development OF a
distinct issue, which turns on the ques-
ton OF the nature and the duration OF
American control of Cuban affairs.
While the respective political organiza-
tons are in a state Of decided confusion,
reference is still made to them under
their former titles "a Liberals and Mod
crates. The so-called Liberals stand for
the full restoration of the Cuban Repub-
lie, while the so-called Moderates favor
the establishment, for an indefinite time,
of some form of American protectorate.
The disturbing element in Cuba con-
sists Of a few men, not more than two
score in number, and Of these about one
half are merely political satellites of the
other half. Probably none of them may
rightly be regarded as positively bad.
ZAYAs, JUAN GUALBERTo GOMEZ, JOSE
MIGUEL GOMEZ, GUERRA, AsBERT, CAS-
TnLo and the others who are at the bot
tom Of the present confusion and trouble
are not men Of evil nature. They are
merely men whose greed for place and
control, and doubtless to a considerable
extent greed for the emoluments and
~perquisites of high Office, swamps all
sense OF genuine patriotism and leads
them into courses whose end can only be
disaster TO themselves and the end of
Cuban independence. The greater num-
Der OF them are men OF newly acquired
prominence in Cuban affairs, strutting in
the limelight Of the little artificial glory
obtained by a few weeks OF revolution.
They might we'll be called political mush-
rooms, baneful in nature, but not deadly
if properly handled.
The activities of this group and it's
followers have aroused serious appre-
tensions among their opponents. The
American authorities stand between
two fires. On one hand there stands a
threat of anarchy and destruction il
American authority is not quickly with
drawn. and on the other hand there
stands a similar threat if that authority
is not indefinitely continued. The seri-.
Gus feature of it all is that either side
car carry out its threat without the
slightest trouble. No revolutionary
army is needed. There need be no going
to the woods, no fighting. no general
disorder. A few individual incendiaries
armed only with matches or with dyna-
mite can throw Cuba into wild disorder
and industrial ruin. Hundreds of thou
sands Of acres of sugar cane will soon be
in a highly iniammable condition. A
few men, a few matches, a windy night,
and hundreds OF thousands of dollars
go up in smoke and flame. There are
about 175 sugar mills with their costly
machinery, and hundreds Of railroad
bridges, many of both owned by for
eigners. A few men, dynamite and
darkness are all that is needed for their
destruction. These are the weak spots,
the danger centres in Cuba. MAxIMo
GOMEZ found them, as many know 10
their cost.
II Governor MAGooN has erred, it ap-
pears to be On the side of an excessive
use'of soothing syrup" There has been
perhaps a little overanxiety to placate.
That course is quite commendable up to
the point where advantage is taken of
the official attitude. In that game the
Cubans are exceedingly adept. II COM
plaisance be carried too far they are apt
to misinterpret it. The work of Messrs.
TAFT and BACON was notable for its
mildness and it's friendliness, but when
they sent word to GUERRA and CASTILLO
that their men should be kept back of
certain points, the men were kept back.
When those gentlemen e word to
some loose tOngued official that he must
refrain from the public expression Of
incendiary sentiments, the loose tongue
hid itself behind closed lips. With them
the velvet glove covered the iron hand,
bat those who came to them knew and
never forgot that the iron hand vas
there and that it could and would strike
if necessary. The Cuban will take ad-
vantage or every opportunity given
him, but few recognize more quickly a
contact with the infexible.
The time has come when for the in
terest of both countries the United States
should formulate and announce its
policy toward Cuba. Disturbance may
M