The Philipsburg mail. [volume] (Philipsburg, Mont.) 1887-current, 1898-09-16
pROPHESY VERlFIRD
BY AN AMERICAN MINISTER
Who Solicited Proposals From Spain Re.
garding the Control of Cuba and the
Relief of the Monarchy.

Two things have long puzzled the
student of Spanish history. One is as
to how Spain has managed to exist so
long with depleted treasury, and the
other is as to how she has so long kept
such valuable islands as in the West In
dies and the Philippines.
In 1925 this government was repre-
sented at Madrid by Alexander II.
Everett, his former teacher and con-
fdential friend, John Quincy Adams.
being president. In the fall of that
year Mr.. Eve rett wrote a personal let
YER to The president that was not rre-
served in the archives Of the state de-
partmcnt and which was not made pub
lie until more than so years later. 1t is
Of special interest in view of our pres
ent relations and impending negotia
tions with spain.
AS scrrfta"y of state, Mr.. Adams
had ;mst : brought about the treaty
under Itch Florida end all the claims
of Spain north Of the parallel of AZ
degrees. as far west as the Pacific,
were ceded to the United States. He
insisted upon these cessions ard re-
ceiSed the credit Of getting them, Mon
roe. Calhoun and other prominent
statesmen Of the time being lukewarm
in the matter. Mr.. Adams had also
held in this connection that Cuba was
really a part of the Florida, and
should pass under the control if not
the ownership of the United States.
Mr.. Everett was in full sympathy with
this view of the case, and it no doubt
had q bearing upon the course that he
pursued with the government at Mad
rid. He found the king obstinately de-
termined not to recognize the inde
pendence of Cuba, then in revolt. He
also found Spain without credit and in
pressing need of money, chronic con
dition that has since become familiar
20 that power.
Under these conditions, ostensibly
upon his own motion. but approved by
the president. he sought to elicit Ger.
tain proposals from the troubled mon,
archy. These can be set forth in much
less space han they occupy in the let
ter referred to. Spain was just as
Jealous Of her honor then as now, and
the scheme was baited with the assur-
ance that honor and eXpediency went
together in this instance. The tinan-
cal distress of Spain was TO be relieved
by the loan of q large sum from the
United States and the burden of mill
tary charges in Cuba was to be lifted.
Full title and ownership of the island
was to remain il the parent govern
ment. but it was 10 be turned YER to
the United States "temporarily" as
sccu~ity for the loan, made for an in
definite period and without interest.
We were to have full control of har-
bOrs and armaments, guaranteeing
against invasion or seizure by other
powers, and to restore actual posses
sion to Spain "when the debt was
paid"
In arguing this plan Mr.. Everett
made some predictions that have been
fulfilled and Others that history has
failed 20 verify. He urged upon Spain
that the Cubans would persist in their
revolutionary movements until their
independence was granted or their re-
lease from Spanish control was effect
ed through foreign Intervention. He
insist ed that the government could not
stand six months without replensh-
ing is treasury. He declared that the
Cubans We're not capable of self-SOv-
eminent. that their affairs would have
equitable administration at the hands
of the United States and that the one
way Of maintaining Spanish honor
had been opened through this pro-
posa!. Some Of the kings advisers
urged his acceptance of the PROPOSE
ton. but he obstinateiy and Dlindly
refused ALLEVIATE the island upon any
terms CT for any purpose.