A negro rising is in progress in the eastern end
of the island of Cuba, and although the situation is not as yet serious rumours of intervention by the United States are spreading rapidly. A fleet of eight American battleships has, indeed, been concentrated at Key West, but Mr. Taft has explained to the Cuban Government that this is merely a pre- caution for safeguarding American property in tbe island; An interesting article in Monday's Times reviews the situation and summarizes the recent relations between Cuba and the United States. Four years after the end of the Spanish War—in 1902, that is—the Americans presented
Cuba with a Constitution and withdrew from the island. In 1906, however, they were obliged to occupy it second time in order to prevent civil.war. Once more they withdrew in 1909, and the Cuban Republic was re-established. Since that time the Government of General Gomez has, accord- ing to the writer in the Times, done much to improve the material condition of the island; but its stability is by no means established, and its integrity is worse than doubtful. Wo may add that Thursday's Times contains a letter from Sir Harry Johnston declaring his belief that a third and final occupation of the island by the United States would be "the very best thing which could happen to Cuba from the point of view of the Cubans."
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