Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-13
gard to proposed settlements of the Cuban

gard to proposed settlements of the Cuban
question:
Two distinct propositions have been dis
cussed by the president and his advisers.
One is to regard Cuba simply as bank
rupt estate, whose obligations are worth
about 40 cents on the dollar. In other
words. the Cuban debt IS now above $500, :
100000. Consider 1t worth 500. 00,O00. and
permit the insurgents to buy their inde-
pendence with bonds to this amount, pay
ment guaranteed by the United States, and
the United States for security for its pledge
TO administer the customs till the principal
Is paid This is perhaps the plan which
the president has been led to believe would
be most likely to produce good results,
both now and in the future. for the future
as We'll as the present must be considered.
II is not generally believed the people of
CUBA are ready for complete self-govern-
hi,t; meht; For years to come. while they ire
building nation. they will need the re-
sraining and guiding hand of an estab-
hshea and powerful government.
-
! There is opposition in congress and in
the country to this plan to enable the in
that the Cubans deserve independence
without paying for 1t, that they have won
, IN the held. But this is not true. Cuba is
long ways from independence without
mas advocated payment of war indemnity
as the easiest and cheapest way TO get
SPAN, out of the island. 1t is also urged
IN objection that the United States has
40 money 10 waste buying independence
LOT Cuba. But it is not proposed to use
dollar OF our money for any such pur-
pose. Cuba in prosperous times Is able to
done that under Spanish rule. and she
could easily do II under more benignant
government that would develop her IA
Veious resources and give her an assurance
OF settled conditions -Four per cent on n
bonded debt of 500. .O00. 900 would be SIS 600 600
2Uo,ooO would suffice for sinking fund
ana the remainder could be used for ad
mn stration, which is more than the Span
the island. "i'iiin
why should American citizens object to
t,l;e,; nGe guarantee OF Cuba's bonds If Spain is
TO the United States would be nofhinr
Even II We were called upon to nav the
Mmpie WIG, sum 1t would be cheaper than a war
with Spain. Besides. this is the day. of ra-
aonal settlement of great questions as we'll
as small ones. This is the era OF scienfific
government, in which war plays a small
anu anu ever growing smaller part. 1t Is civ
lllzation to administer great bankrupt
estate estate on the lines Of right and justice,
Paying pay rt;. Inc equity of the nominal holder
MY; instead of resorting to the barbarlc
iinethod itiod OF shooting and killing. The OBJ
}eetiGn 5l.i to this proposed method of settling
me diHculty should not come from the
olted states. II Spain can endure it no
american Anne should resist it. There is gossip
ina snat congress, will never consent to the
the administration believes that If it
should be able to arrange such terms with
surgents, would indorse il and uphold il
as the easiest possible method OF settle-
ment.
1T has come to the ears of the admins
tratton through diplomatic channels that
SPAN is willing to surrender everything in
Guba ionE save mere shadow of sovereignty
ho Drsx
In Canada-if the United States will guar
entee the payment of the whose debt and
SSndertake to maintain order and preserve
is true that If the United States were will
ing to undertake this task the Cuban prob
lem could be settled within thirty days
terms, So would her creditors All hands
a Dr9ad would be overjoyed to saddle upon
me ns W United = States the burden Of debt which
fastened upon Cuba. This is really the
question at issue, when the situation Is
stripped of all its sentiment, of all its in
instian OF war preparations and tricks of
diplomacy. Spain Is in the hands of the
money lenders. She has gone to the pawn
troll her. They are now debating her pol
icy. and naturally seeking to make as good
bargain for themselves as they can. q.
But the United States will not undertake
debt Of $3.50, 100000 now charged to Cuba
This debt is half fraudulent. A large part
Of It should never have been charged to
Cuba It is SO charged only because Spain
cost of their own subjettion by a military
despotism. Such things are not in accord
anes with american ideas Of Justice. Be
bonds bearing low rates of interest, as it
States behind it. would Be simply iruinous
isiand. rich as it is. could endure for gem
erations to come. More than $500 900. 900
upon less than 100000 people: only q few
The United States will not consent to any
such arrangement. But L repeat that II
We were ready to bow down to the demands
the money lenders, who have endeavored
to take advantage of Spain's necessities.
the Cuban problem could be settled in
thirty days, or as soon as the papers could
be passed to and fro.
Forty per cent of that great debt. or
almost one-half of it. is as far as the Amer
not even be willing to do that much. Some
thing will depend upon the outcome of the
Maine affair upon the disI9siSn lion which
and with the people Of Cuba, whether We
favor an indemnity or not Nor is 1t prob
which involves retention by Spain Of a nom
inal sovereignty. II Spain is to give up
the island, she may as well face the inev-
liable and give 1t up once for all. II Spain
surrender Cuba and maintain her
government and the throne, then she Is a
derelict at best. and If this push does not
topple her over some other Is pretty sure
to do 20.
And yet 1t is barely possible, If Spain
meets our overtures in proper spirit, the
president might consent to negotiations
upon some such line as this-actual home
rule in Cuba. with the United States guar
payment of S20O.000.00O of bonds
and administering the customs (which
means, of course. a protectorate) till the
debt is paid. Spain, meanwhile, to have
a nominal sovereignty sending out a gov
erninE general without power and sur
even this when the debt is fin
ally paid and the people OF the island are
ready for complete self-government and for
in the family of nations.
. 'All these questions the president has
under consideration. He Is working out the
problem. His principle is decided. and that
is the war in Cuba, the starvation in Cuba.
the blot upon the face of the earth found in
Cuba, must come to an end. If Spain is
stubborn, unreasonable, If her
in their greed for the pound Of
flesh urge her past the limits of our toll
erance. the president still has in hands,
which is likely to prove effectual. 1t is
recognition of the independence of the ISL
and. This step will not be taken save as
last resort, and therefore all statements
that the president is even now preparing
a message to congress recommending in
dependence are erroneous. The United
States has from its earliest days followed
ereignty on a basis of fact and not as a
right And no one seriously contends the