New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-06
crRAN FACT AVID FANCY.

On the eve of Secretary Tafts visit to Cuba
the agitation mills being worked overtime
Every opportunity for creating disturbance is
improved with zeal. and every untOward Incl
dent is exploited for all it is wOrth'-and some
times for a great deal more This is partly for
effect upon Mr.. Taft and partly for effect upon
the popular and official mind in the United
States. 1t may have an effect quite different
from that which is intended.
The worst incident of recent occurrence is I'M
doubtedly the murder of Mr.. Ayala. at Guines,
which appears to have been melted by political
animosities, just Il good many murders have
been in the United States. 1t is unhappily true
that in Cuba there are certain professional poll
ticians who will not hesitate at arson and muir
Ger to effect their aims. and who by means Of
thrs ats actual Outrages, terrOrize the people
into letting them have their, own way. AS one
of The Tribune's correspondents In Cuba re-
ports the people are made to understand that
any Interference with the politicians will be re-
scented in the destruction Of their property when
ever revolutionary conditions afford Oppor-
tunity. These 'pOticos" are desperate, reck-
less and ravenoUs set, with whom fire and
dynamite are favOrite weapons. That, we are
told is the chief reason why so many people~in
Cuba have nothing to do with public affairs and
are classed as "nOn-polltlcos"
But what is the remedy? For the majority,
the large majority. to continue their abstentOn
from political activity and to let the semi
criminal minority go on unchecked with their
deviltry? Assuredly not, any more than that
was the proper course in some Of our own states
when similar conditions prevailed. The true
course is for the majority to assert Itself and to
crush the lawless minority into impotence. That
is what the 'non-pollticos" OF Cuba can do. If
only they viii have the courage of their convic-
tions; and they have an unsurpassed OppOr-
tunlty to do 1t now, with the protection Of the
United States
Meantime. let us not exaggerate the situation.
There was story not long ago about the awful
spread of smallpox" In Havana and the panic
which consequently prevailed In that city. We
are crediby assured that there was at that time
only single case OF that disease In Havana,
and that had been imported! Again while the
commercial clubs from the United States were
down there a fire occurred IN some cane fields
which was at once described in headlines as a
vast cOnfagration started by lawless agltators
The fact appears to be that 1t was a small
affair, accidentally started by sparks from a
locomotive. Again, we were told that ex-Gov-
ernor Francis Of Missouri was a witness Of that
devastating confagratiOn, and his remarks upon
1t were quoted, when as a matter Of fact the
fire occurred five days after he had left Cuba!
There are, no doubt, some unpleasant facts IN
Cuba, and some conditions which cause per-
plexity and call for much thought. But things
are not half as bad there as some lurid fancies
have pictured them. and it will be well TO pos
sess our souls IN patience and not attempt to
dictate or to anticipate the decisions concerning
further policies in that island which Secretary
Taft will presently make in bis own good time
after he has seen the state OF affairs there for
himself with clear, straight and penetrating
vision.