The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-04-11
INDEPENDENCE THE THING
senator Tburston Thinks interview
tion Insufficient.

Senator John W. Thurston thinks that
this Government should recognize the in
dependence of Cuba at once. In an au-
thorized interview he says:
MY opinion is that II we intervene in
Cuba after recognizing the Independence
of the Cubans we will not be responsible
in any way for the Spanish bonds or for
the application of the Cuban revenues to
the payment of the bonds. Nor would
We be responsible for any loss or injury
to property or persons in the island not
resulting from our own acts.
But II we intervene without recognizing
Cuban independence we will find ourselves
on the island assuming the right for the
time being to govern. We deny the right
of Spain to further sovereignty. Until we
recognize the independence Of the beIlig-
erents We deny their right of sovereignty.
and We necessarily assume the duties and
all the responsibilities Of sovereignty in
the island. We would certainly be liable
to tho citizens of other countries for any
injury to persons or property in the island.
whether committed by the Spaniards or
the insurgents.
"If we should drive the Spaniards out
we would still have to dear with the in
surgents. and If they would not accept
such terms as we might offer We would
either have to put them down or else get
our forces out Of the island.
ut is a singular thing that all the in
fiuences and the vast pressure which has
been brought to bear to prevent any ac-
ton on our part is now actively at work
to prevent the recognition of independ-
ence. Believing that intervention is GER
tain, they are bringing all the influence
to bear upon members of Congress to in
duce them to give up the recognition reso-
luton.
There is strong feeling that the de-
lay from last Wednesday until Monday
has been almost entirely used for this pur4
pose. The whole object of this influence
is TO leave the question Of recognition Of
the independence of Cuba an open one. so
that this Government can at any time
force the Cubans to submit to autonomy.
or. what would be almost as infamous. to
assume the Spanish debt as a condition Of
independence.
IF We recognize independence now our
action will be followed promptly by other
nations. Any kind of autonomy will then
be out Of the question. and il would be
impossible to force the Cuban government,
once recognized. TO submit TO the payment
of blood money as the price of liberty.
Just as long as recognition Of indie
pendence is delayed all these schemes viii
be pushed with vigOr and the diplomacy
Of the world will be brought into play to
do this great injustice TO Cuba. II the
committees of the two houses report the
resolutions. as had practically been
agreed upon. representing the Judgment Of
Congress declaring for independence and
Intervention. they will be passed with but
little delay and 1 believe by a unanimous
vote.
II this pressure prevails on the COM
mittees and they report for Intervention
but not for independence. a contest will
follow. I believe. in both houses. certain
~ in the Senate. and in the House if the
curb bit is not put on. The question viii
be fought out and voted upon without re-
gard to party lines.
Personally I will not vote for interven-
ton. but l shall certainly vote to couple
recognition of independence with inter-
ventiOn.