The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-08

pie, whose .AcprcdIted appkesmen are
tho leaders OF the Moderate and Liberal
parties, unless, indeed. the lives and
property Of American citizens or Of
Spaniards and other foreigners should
be subjected 20 injury 30 grave, per-
sistent and defiant a. 70 drive us reluc-
family TO- discharge the duty imposed on
% by the Treaty Of Paris. II 10 hardly
credible that such provocation should
be offered, except nc the secret instiga-
tion Of capitalists who may regard their
investments a. insecure under any ma
tive Government and who may therefore
wish by. any mean and at any cost to
force u TO annex the island. The ex-
istsDce Of such q purpose IL suspected
by some well informed Americans, but
H. 4 In truly entertained by many foreign
residents in Havana they ought TO bear
In mind that forewarned IL forearmed.
I'm vain Il the net spread in the sight Of
any bird. The pitfalls offered by the
PiAts Amendment were thoroughly laid
bare when IL was discussed In the United
States Senate, and tho Administration
cannot easily be trapped into a perma-
nent occupation Of Cuba against the
wish OF q majority Or ever q large frac-
ton OF her inhabitants. No doubt Mr..
ROOSEVELT might be willing to hasten
the restoration Of peace and order In the
island by the appointment Of an umpire
20 preside over a board OF arbitrators on
which Moderates and Liberals should DO
equally represented. That would simply
be to do for the p~acification OF Cuba
what he did for the settlement OF the
anthracite coal strike In Pennsylvania,
and the Interference would seem even
less invidious. because more short lived,
than. hia present effort to shield the
Dominican republic from aggression at
the hands Of its foreign creditors. OF
course, too, the appointment Of IN UNI
pire would not be made unless earnestly
solicited by both parties to the existing
controversy In Cuba.
For many reasons IL would be better
that tho Cubans should settle their quar-
rel at home. There are natives Of the
island who command universal respect
and confidence. It ought to be possible
for Liberals and Moderates to agree
upon an umpire whose good faith,
wisdom and patriotism could not
be challenged. Senator MANUEL SAM
gully IL believed to be such a man;
and il Ia said that General MRNocAL and
other d~isinterested veterans OF the war
for independence, who fear that the in
~surrectlon may cause the economic ruin
Of their country, have requested SAM
GULLY to mediate between the Govern
ment and the rebels. It IL evident on
the face Of the terms proposed as a basis
| Of mediation that the Palma Govern
| ment can hardly be expected to consent
to all Of them. On the other hand, the
demand for Q general amnesty has al
! ready been met and acceptable guaran-
tees could undoubtedly be provided.
Than, again, as a number Of Moderates
have already agreed In writing to resign
their seats in the Senate and House Of
Representative, there can be no insuper-
| able objection 20 the annulment Of last
years elections and the substitution Of
| a new appeal 10 the ballot box, the Palma
Government giving proof Of its intention
to conduct the elections fairly by revOk-
ing Its former deposifion OF Mayors In
many municipalities and by indicating
in other ways tho trustworthiness Of
supervising oficesyAndgpturnin boards.
Il should be remembered that It Is rather
to certain members Of his Cabinet than
To President PALMA himself that the
Liberals are i~mVs~CabEy opposed. They
do not forget that not long ago he was
q Liberal himself.
D~isinterested persons who are con-
versant with the existing situation in
Cuba are inclined TO think that II Sena-
tor MANUEL sAN0UIEY a be persuaded
to act as mediator, he may be able to
arrange an equitable compromise be-
| tween the Palma Government and its