The National tribune., 1909-07-08
TROUBLE IN CUBA.

TROUBLE IN CUBA.
The leopard cannot change his spots
nor the Ethiopian his skin. Optimistic
Americans believed that as soon as
Spanish oppression was removed from
tunity they would set up an honest,
just Government. This is another illus
tration of how sentimental philanthro-
pists and optimists deceive themselves.
intolerably bad for centuries, and every
man and woman educated in that at
mosphere. 1t is impossible that they
should change their habits of thought
in the very few years which have
elapsed since Spain was expelled. Our
model Government for few years was
a very pretty exhibition. but it was en-
tirely too short-lived to change the in
nate methods Of thought of a people
educated under the Spanish regime.
Capacity for free and just government
uOcS hol SOlilt III d AC" SCoiS Va SNSh
in few generations. It takes long
series Of generations to educate a peo-
pie up to what the proper popular Gov
ernment should be. Not only the men
who are at the head of the Government
must be so educated, but the education
has to extend down to the lowest STRAIT
UNI and to every village. Our own
~ ,v. f<rv to- 30
day because in every little town and
village the most of the people are just
as intelligent, just as well educated in
the principles of Government and just
as determined that these principles
shall be illustrated in the conduct of
Washington or any of the great cities.
The conditions in Cuba are as remote
from this as the East is from the West.
A very great proportion of the Cubans
are negros, not a small percentage Of
whom were brought as slaves from
Africa The remainder are the chill
dren or grandchildren of such slaves.
The population is, in fact, a great mass
of ignorance of the most appalling de-
scription, and the leaders are men
devoting themselves to making the most
by playing upon this ignorance. In
proportion of specifically educated men
who have impractical ideas as to Gov
ernment, but are firmly persuaded that
the world not only owes them and their
superior intelligence living, but a
very good living. The so-called parties
are mere aggregations OF these men,
striving to get control of the island and
its rich revenues and enrich themselves
with limftless plundsr. This condition
is even WORSE than II IL In other Latin
American countries. because there is
scarcely any middle class in Cuba, and
1t Is the middle class always which is
the backbone of any real popular Gov
ernment. It is not surprising. there
fore, that every evidence from Cuba
points to the downfall OF the present
Government. possibly in another bloody
struggle and another and final inter-
vention by the Americans. Graft and
injustice rule everywhere. the full
Treasury which the Americans left is
being depleted, the island is outlining
schemes and expenditures which will
bankrupt IT, and all manner of trouble
is impending. The situation was so seri-
Gus few months ago that the Secre-
tary Of War started to pay a personal
visit. but was checked by sickness. Mat
ters have rapidly become worse since,
and IL links 40 if almost anv dav NAV
bring about climax which will call
for the exertion Of the strong arm of
the United States.