Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-18
The Cuban Resolutions.


The Cuban Resolutions.
Practically all Americans. including thu
President ard Congress. agree that Spain
must .elinQu.sh Cuba. peaceaby or not as
she wills. and that after Spain's with
drawal the people Of the island are to es-
tablish and maintain a stable Independent
government. Since the Cuban insurgents
will accept nothing short of independence.
since the united American demand is now
for Cuban independence of Spain. and since
Spain has clearly indicated that she will
fight before granting that independence,
war Is inevitable.
The American problem is to enter upon
this unavoidable war at the time and in
the manner which will. be least disadvan-
tegeous to US. Until very recently the re-
public has not been in condition to fight
even a defensive war. The delays of di-
plomacy have not operated to our disad-
vantage. But now, as compared with
Spain. the United States is ready. by
curious coincidence the resources of d.
plomacy are exhausted, and the war-de-
ciartng body Is about to make the declara-
ton which, however worded, will mean
war.
Whatever shabe this declaration may
Spain after notice will be required to with
draw from Cuba, and she will not with
draw without war.
In shaping this declaration three factors
are properly to be considered, the American
PEOPLE the Cuban insurgents and Europe.
The resolutions must first be such as 70
win as nearly as possible the unanimous
support of the American people, irrespec-
tive of sectional and political affiliations.
They will consequently declare explicitly
upon certain points, which the President
in his message Endorsed only by inference.
American Intervention is to be immediate;
the stable government to be maintained in
Cuba is to be Independent; in no case are
the arms of the United States to be turned
against the Cubans struggling for free
dom. While the Maine explosion Is not
TO be recited as the cause of war significant
reference is to be made TO 1t, voicing the
real American sentiment in taking a step
which means war.
The Cuban insurgents are to be our allies
and are to reap the fruits of our interven-
tiCn. Proper consideration Of their suscep-
tfbiiities Is to be expected, but they. on
their part, will be wise not to be exacting
but to place full confidence in the good faith
of their only friend among the nations. If
OF Cuba are free. intervenes with force to
make that freedom good by expelling from
the island the only power which denies
that freedom. and disclaims. both through
its executive and legislative branches. any
annexation purpose, all that Cuba can
rightfully request will have been performed.
The thankless ingratitude In Cuba which
would treat of no consequence these
services and assurances, IL unaccompan MED
by a legislative usurpation Of the executive
function of recognizing this existing in
surgent government an Independent ma
ton. Is Uncomfortable.
America intends 20 push forward upon
IT'S deliberately chosen path. unmindful of
the views of foreign powers. 1t considers
and will treat the Cuban que stion as dis
tinctively American, to be settled between
Spain and itself without outside interfer-
ence. AT the same time we should be fool
ish. having the choice between two equally
effective methods of accomplishing what
We desire, to select one which would vio-
late international law and furnish possible
pretexts for foreign Intervention at any
stage of the struggle. Wisdom suggests
that We carry out our determination to
have our own way in the matter with such
diplomatic verbiage in our declarations as
cedents of International law. and will re-
duce to a minimum pretexts for European
interference
This consideration Is, however subordin-
ated to the others. When the pinch comes,
II Europe refrains from interfering it will
be from prudent considerations of self-in-
terest. and not from an abs nce of brusque-
ness In our diplomacy. The disclaimer Of
an intention to annex Cuba will serve a
good and proper purpose in its effect upon
Europe as well as upon the Cuban insur-
gents. II Congress refrains from usurping
an executive function and decides not to rec
ognize at this time the Cuban republic as
an independent nation, a cause of friction
both at home and abroad will be happily
eliminated. We shall be spared an un-
corstitt tional reversal of all the prece-
dents OF our foreign policy in the recogni-
ton of the independence Of new nations
and We shall not unnecessarily stir I'D an
uneasiness which may mean mischief in
the future among the European powers
From what has been said Of the essentials
of the Cuban resolutions it will be seen
that either the Senate resolutions minus
the recognition of the Cuban republic or
the House resolutions plus the Teller
amendment disclaiming any annexation
designs would IN The Stars opinion voice
effectively the American sentiment.