New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-14
4 NJSCHTECOTS RESOLUTION.

Senator t1ll. Of lOfida, mas lntrOuuccu dH
exceedingly ill-timcd and miSchievouS resolu-
ton resp, citing Cubl. II has been referred to
the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations,
and will undoubtedly he smothercd there; but
the fact that it has been introduced in Congress
will be autographed To Havana and Madrid, and
will produce an unfavorabc impression IN both
capitals. II calls for the appointment of IA Joint
committee 10 investigate the political and com
mcrcial relations existing between the Spanish
West Indies and the United states. II also
request, the President Ia open negotiation,
with the Spanish Government for the purpose
of securing the establishment in Cuba of
republican form of government with the
reservation thai cash equivalent shall be paid
for the public property Of the island and the
REIMBURSEMENT of sovereign rights. \ more
prcpo,tcious proposition than this was never
presented To the United states Senate. While
the cause Of Cuban independence has always
enlisted American sympathy. the time has
passed when Spanish rule in the island can be
condemned aS Incidentally bad While CubanS
are denied the privileges of home rule and
legislative autonomy. they enjoy larger meas
urc If civil liberty and are under fewer re-
,rrantS of administrative tyranny than the
population of the historic peninsula. The rcso-
htion i ill-iimcd because the popular move
m nj in Cuba in favor Of Independent rcpub
lcln government has declined. Spain has
made commercial concessions To the ntcd
states which have not only greatly benefited
her American Dependencies. but have also slim
ulatcd powerfully the oldtimc feeling of loyal
~. Such intervention Is senator Call favors
4 ;,,,,;E,,,i.n
Cuba and Puerto Rico are the last strong
holds retained by spain in the New World
where her n1vigator> and soldiers founded Il
continental empire. Since these islands are
the remnant of what were three centuries ago
vast and rich possessions, Spain will not sell
nor rcin1uish them. No cash equivalent could
be named for which she would consent to barter
her sovereignty. To make such proposal the
basis Of diplomatic negotiations would be to
offer an afront to a friendly Government. To
do this when the people Of the island are more
contcnted with their lot and more loyal to Spain
than they have been for many years would be
an act of insane folly. 1t is not the function
Of American diplomacy to obtain for Cuba by
meddlcsome interference the grant of political
independence for which its own people have
SPARED Of ever receiving from Spain. The
time may come when the people of the island
will dciiantly rise against their Spanish rulers
and proclaim their independence Under such
circumstances American diplomacy might have
some bargain to propose by which the island
would retain its liberties. At present CONNER
cial union is the great gift of the United States
to Cuba. The value of that gift will be heavily
deprecated by discussion in the Senate of DO
lnica resolutions like those of Senator Call.
Reciprocity has introduced in Cuba a transi-
ton period. The people of the island are looking
for an era of prosperity now that the cost of
living has been heavily reduced a free market
obtained for their chief staple and large in.
vcStmcnt of American capital made i'm various |
Industries. II there be during the next decade
u substantial recovery of the economic fortunes |
Of Cuba. the people will continue to remain. as |
they are now, grateful and loyal to Spain. If |
commercial union fails To restore the PROSPERITY |
of the island, a great impulse may be mpart- |
cd To the annexation movement which is al !
ready much stronger than Americans imagine |
Whatever the future may have in store for |
Cuba, its own people will work out their des- |
tiny. Neither annexation nor independcnce |
can be thrust upon them by ill-drected and |
meddlesOme Intervention in their affairs from
Washington