New-York tribune., 1896-12-27

They judge the policy Of this Government from
the representations made by the state Depart
ment. They could not. with dignity ana COLI
sistency. take any cOgniZance of congressman
action until ii was auhoritativcly reported TO
them by the President or Secretary OF state
Now the utteranceS and attitude of the EXecu
tive on Cuba are. and have all along been, such
as could not disturb the susceptibilites of any
European Power Those Powers nave. tnere-
fore no porccptblc basis for any such repre-
sentationS as are now imputed 10 them
Moreover. the whole record of this Govern
mcnt in regard TO the Spanish and other Euro
pean colonies in the West II dies has been sucll
as 10 disarm suspicion and 10 make gralultous
and grounde>s any protests against American
aggression there No attempt has been made to
seize any of those islands. or even to seduce
them from their old allegiance Oners OF pilr-
chase have now and then been made. in straight
forward and honorable manner. hut nothlhg
more In the ease of cuba the oncr was To-
Scnicd by Spain. and thcrcupOn was dropped
hy this country and never again taken up. III
the ease of the Danish islands care was taken
10 ascertain the sentiment of the inha bitants.
and not until ii was found that they. as well as
transfer to the United States was any definite
treaty-making entered upon. Temptations TO
seize some of the West Indies have not been
lacking. hat they have been sicadfastly resisted.
And since the Monroe Doctrine has been so much
discussed of late. and has been regarded by some
as a menace to European possessions in Aineri-
ca. il is well 10 remember that it explicitly de-
clarcs: with the existing colonies or dcpen-
'dencies of any European Power we have not
''interfered. and shall not interfere
That declaration has been repeated many
times since Mr.. Monroe first made it, III was
not proposed" said Mr.. Clay. in 1S26. TO DIS
"turb prc-cxisting European colonies already
established iii America. Existing rights OF
every European nation" said President Polk, III
1915. should he respected" Mr.. Calhoun was
member Of the Monroe Cabinet when the Doe
trinc was promulgated. Speaking aftcrward in
the Senate. in olucda'on of the Doctrine. ne
said in 1SiS: $50 long as Cuba remains in the
"handS of Spain. friendly Power. it should
continue to be the policy of all Administrations
"to let Cuba remain there This policy. sad
Secretary Fish, in 1870. speaking of the Mon
roe Doctrine. is not policy of aggression IT
does not contemplate forciblc intervention in
ANY legitimate contest" referring directly 10
Cuba Secretary Adams said. in 1S23 NO
"countcnancc has been given by to any pro
"icctcd plan of separation from SPAN wnch
may have been formed in the island Secre-
tarv Clay added in 1879. that 'the United states
desired no change in the political condition OF
cuba" Nothing" said Secretary Marcy, IN
| 1888. will he done Oh our part 10 disturb lis
| CubaSl present connection with Spain Inc
! United States" said President Grant. in 1859,
| "have no disposition to interfere with the exist
| "ing relations of Spain 10 her colonial posses
| "sions" The most recent utteranceS Of the
| Executive have been of similar purport. In the
| face Of such a policy. consistently adhered To
| hy this Government. il is not 10 he believed that
any European Government dreams of warn
| ing the United STATES. or of expressing feelings
| of uneaSness at "encroachmens' which never
| have been made nor threatened. hut have been
| cmphatically and authoritativcly diSavowed.