The record-union., 1898-07-21

ened attack upon the island by France,
or attempts on the part of the inhabi-
tants of Cuba to assume their inde-
pendence, the temporary occupation of
Havana by the British might be among
the probable expedients. The danger to
the United States of this temporary
occupation was pointed out by Mr..
Adams as follows:
1t is not necessary to point out
the numerous contingencies by
which the transition from a tenn
porary and fiduciary occupation to
permanent and proprietary pos
session may be effected. The trans
fer of Cuba to Great Britain would
be an event unpropitious to the In.
terests Of this Union.
In the same letter Mr.. Adams de-
clares a law Of territorial integrity and
gravity SO clearly and forcibly that it
cannot be omitted. He said:
But there are laws of political as
well as of physical gravitation; and
if an apple, severed by the tempest
from it's native tree, cannot choose
but fall to the ground Cuba, forci-
bly, disjointed from it's own unnat-
ural connection with Spain, and in
capable of self-support, can gravi-
tate only toward the North Amer
lean Union, which, by the same law
of nature, cannot cast her off from
it's bosom.
LAWS OF POLITICAL AND PLY
SICAL GRAVITY.
This declaration of the existence Of a
law Of political as well as physical
gravitation, as applied to Cuba, per-
Of Ay,,a a~iT. n IL
plomacy in all periods of our history.
But Mr.. Adams went further than to
declare merely law of political gravi-
tation, and said:
In looking forward to the probable
course of events for the short period
of half century. it is scarcely pos
sible to resist the conviction that
the annexation of Cuba to our Fed
eral Republic will be indispensable
to the continuance and integrity Of
the Union itself.
The expression of opinion already
quoted may be said to belong to the
earliest period of American statesman
ship. They clearly disclose the ma
tional belief that Cuba is territorially
part of the Union; that it's acquisi-
ton is Indispensable to the safety Of
view as we'll as highly important in its
industrial and commercial aspect. They
also disclose the fact that to>the minds
of these statesmen territorial acquisi-
tion in defense of national integrity
is both expedent and right, and they
declare in terms that while the re-
lation between Cuba and the United
States is natural, the relation between
ND G f.
ural. In consonance with the opin-
ions already quoted, like expressions
continue in straight line down the
course of the diplomatic history of the
country. Their full presentation would
be beyond the compass Of this paper,
but brief extracts are Indispensable to
an adequate understanding of the sub
ject.
OPINIONS OF STATESMEN.
Mr.. Van Buren, Secretary of State,
writing to Mr.. Van Ness, October 2,
1929, said:
The Government has always look
ed with the deepest interest upon
the fate of those Islands, but partic-
ularly Of Cuba. Its geographical
position, which places it almost in
sight Of our southern shores, and
the Gulf of Mexico and the West
Indian Seas, its safe and capacious
harbors, its rich productions, the
exchange of which for our surplus
agricultural products and manufac-
lures constitute one of the most ex-
tensive and valuable branches of
our foreign trade, render it of the
utmost Importance to the United
place in its condition which might
injuriously affect our political and
commercial standing in that quar-
ter.
Daniel Webster, under date Of Janu-
ary IA, 1S43. said:
Intrenched at Havana and San
Antonio, ports as impregnable as
the rock Of Gibraltar Great Brit
ain), she will be able to close the
two entrances to the Gulf Of Mexico,
and even to prevent the free pass
age of the commerce of the United
States over the Bahama Banks and
through the Florida Channel.
Spain has repeatedly been told
that the United States never would
permit the occupation of that ISL
and by British agents or forces upon
any pretext whatever.
Mr. Forsythe, Secretary of State, un-
der date of July 10, 1910, said:
The United States will resist at
every hazard any attempt Of any
foreign Power to wrest Cuba from
Spain.
Mr.. Buchanan, Secretary of State, un-
der date of June 13, 1S47, said:
The United States will not tolerate
any invasions of Cuba by citizens
Of neutral States.
Daniel Webster, October 4, 1851, said:
]. Quincy Adams often said that,
with England sooner than to ac-
quiesce in her acquisition of Cuba.
1t is, indeed, obvious enough what
danger there would be to US If a
great naval power were to possess
this key to the Gulf of Mexico and
the Caribbean Sea.
Mr.. Crittenden, Acting Secretary of
State, under date of October ~, 1851,
said:
The geographical position of the
Island Of Cuba, in the Gulf of Mex
leo, lying at no great distance from
the mouth Of the River Mississippi,
and in the line of the greatest cur
rent of the commerce of the United
States, would become, in the hands
of any powerful European nation,
an object of just jealousy and ap-
prehension to the people of this
country A due regard for their