New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-29
FOUL PLAY OVER CUBA.

There is a peculiar mlschlevOusness In the
present tactics Of those who are conspiring 20
defeat autonomy in Cuba and to compel con-
tinued American occupation and ultimate an
nexatIon OF the island. They are attacking. both
openly and secretly, the financial credit Of Cuban
industries. AS Is the case In other Latin-Amer-
lean countries, business In Cuba is largely done
on a credit basis. At about this time OF year
considerable loans arc necessary to facilitate ths
handling Of the tobacco and sugar crops and the
cleaning Of old cane fields and the planting Of
new. Moreover, there are now being manufact-
ured on order In Europe large quantities OF ma
chinery for sugar mills. electric light plants,
railroads, etc, all of which are to be taken on
credit. Obviously, IL the loans could not DO pro
cured and II the manufacturers should decline
TO deliver the machinery without cash, the prin-
cipal Industries of the island would be gravOy
embarrassed, and It requires nothing but a mem
DRY Of the history Of Cuba in our own times to
suggest how dlsastrously the social and polit
ical condition of the island might be affected by
business depression.
The scheme OF these cOnspirators. then. is to
play upon the proveTbIal timidity Of capital with
tales Of insecurity and corruption, thus to Inn
pair the credit Of the island, brighten away IN
vestments and cause general industrial and COM
mercIal depression thus. In turn, to provoke
social discomfort, disorder and political strife,
and so, finally to postpone TO the Greek
Calends the restoration of Cuban autonomy.
It is a perfectly simple scheme, and as
straightforward a bit OF political knavery as
ever was devised. It's success depends. OF
course, primarily upon the ability OF its pro-
mOters to falslfy Cuban news and 10 create a
false conception OF Cuban affairs In the mind Of
the world at large. Some OF the means employed
in the campaign may be effective with those who
do not know Cuba and the Cubans, but to the
we'll informed they seem ridiculous to the point
of the grOtesque. Names are made to loom large
in Cuban news as those Of political leaders Of
paramount Importance, upon whose every word
and act the whole island hangs breathless
which really belong to half cracked adventures
who represent nobody but themselves and whom
Cubans regard with derislOn, or, at best with
amusement the bufrOons of the political cir
Gus.
Desperate attempts are also being made to
foment trouble between the provisional govern
ment and the Liberal party. Sometimes the
cry is raised that the Americans are trIcklng the
Liberals and all Cuba and have no thought of
keeping any of the promises which have been
made Of restoration OF autonomy, and sometimes
the Americans are denounced for being the pup
pets Of the Liberals. Sometimes Cubans are
warned that the American government will pres
emily send an army to reduce them 70 slavery
and to shoot down all who resist, and sometimes
the government at Washington is portrayed as
sitting up O. nights in cold shivers for fear
some Cuban will declare war against It, No
misstatement can be too gross and no self-con-
tradiction too direct and fragrant for these con-
spiratOrs. Happily, there is reason TO believe
that the very iDtemperance OF their campaign
will compass its defeat. Cubans resent having
their country and, indeed, themselves lam
pOOned and libelled, and are turning severely
against those who are doing such foul work
Truthful representations and rational argument
In favor Of annexation would be received with
respect even where they could not command
sympathy or produce conviction But the STUFF
which is now put forth repes and allenates even
those who in other circumstances might favor
the cause which it is meant to serve.