Omaha daily bee., 1898-10-19
SOVEREIGNTY OYER CUBA.


According TO report from Paris, on
the authority of the correspondent of
the London Times, the American COM
missloners have rejected the idea of ac-
| cepting sovereignty over Cuba for the
| United States. The ground Of this re-
lection, II Is stated Is the position as
sumed by the United States In regard to
Cuba when war was declared. The
government pledged itself to the paclfi-
cation of Cuba, upon the accomplish
men of which the people of the island
were to be left free to form an inde-
pendent government and 1t was most
explicitly declared that the war was not
entered upon for territorial aggran-
dizement.
IL the report from Paris accurately
states the position of the American COM
missioners 1t shows that the administra-
ton intends to adhere strictly to the
resolutions of congress, which clearly
define the purpose of the government in
going to war. But this does not mean,
as Senator Foraker urges that as soon
as the Spaniards shall have withdrawn
and peace shall be declared, the obliga-
ton of the United States toward Cuba
will end. Whether or not the with
drawal Of the Spaniards and the decla-
ration of peace will bring the powers Of
the president of the United States to an
end, unless congress shall give him ad-
ditional authority to maintain an army
in the island, as Mr.. Foraker asserts, it
is perfectly obvious that it will be the
duty of the United States to retain such
control in Cuba as shall be necessary
to maintain peace and order there and
to enable the people to proceed in a
proper way to the formation Of an inde-
pendent government. 1t would seem
that there could be no question as to the
obligation Of our government in this re-
spect We cannot leave the people of
| Cuba In a state of anarchy. We must
see to it that the pacifcation of the
| island Is complete and absolute. The
| Cuban people cannot safely be entrusted
| with the grave duty and responsibility
Of framing and establishing govern
ment without some guidance and con-
| troll and they must look for this to the
United States. There Is reason to be-
lieve that If left wholly to themselves
| to set up a government there would be
| bitter and perhaps bloody strife among
them, for there is an intense factional
! hostility. 1t is to be regarded as GER
| tain that in the absence of any control
| by the United States the insurgents and
their sympathizers would not permit a
large element Of the people to have any
voice in framing government. 1t is
manifestly our duty to see that in Great
ing government for Cuba all the peo
| pie of the island shall have opportunity
to participate.
What should be clearly understood is
that while the United States must pacify
Cuba and insure it a proper form OF
government, when these things are ac
| complished we withdraw absolutely
from the island, making no claim to any
part of it's territory or to any right OF
privilege there as n return or compensa
ton for what we have done. 1t Ii
plainly indicated by the conduct Of som,
| Oh the 1nSurgent leaders that they nave
not full faith in the Intention of the
United States to give Cuba independ
ence. They refuse to disband theil
forces and are said to have avowet
their purpose to make armed opposition
to any attempt ON the part of the United
States to disregard the solemn pledge
of the government. These people
should be reassured. Possibly the at
titude Of the American peace commits
sioners may have this effect but there il
no reason why they should not be in
formed by the president that there il
no substantial ground for their distrus
and that it is the purpose of this gov
ernment to carry out, in perfect goot
faith, the pledge it has made to tn
Cuban people.