The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-24

After tho cession Of Florida 10 The init cd States
by Saan In 1919, tho political destiny " Cuba
became a subject OF great international interest
Not q few Englishmen had contcnded that. by
sho Florida treaty. English interests would lie
much injured, ani that cession OF Cuba to
Great Britain was the only al 'Quatc linden MY
which Spain had to Offer. After our acquisition
Of Florida news Of English overtures TO tho
Court Of Madrid with reference to Cuba reached
our Government from various sources In April.
1922, Senator D, W ol'o Of Rh oieIsland eSprcsso
tho apprehension that England would take pcs
session Of tho island within n month. and in
juno Of tho same year. the French Minister at
Washington told CraN ord that England h ad been
negotiating Tor Cual for two years. and. in eN-
change, had offered Gibraltar and a lar e sum Of
money. For ovor n year later, the attitude Of
England toward Cuba was a subject ot much con
Germ. In January, 1898 IL was reported that
Great Britain had agreed TO supply Spain with
money in tho event OF war with France an orc
ceivc Cub. security Tot tho payne It Of thcloan.
Thorcupon, however, Mr.. Canning, tho British
Minister at Washington, called upon Mr. J. q
AdAms thon Secretary OF State. and read q letter
from his cousin, George Canning, in which the
latter denied that England desired cuba and as
sorted that It would be dshonorable to take ad-
This letter. Il will be observed. was simply READ
TO Mr. Adams: he was not permitted to sec II or
retain copy thereof
The invasion Of Spain by French troops after
the Congress Of Verona and the consequent
subvorsion oi tho Spanish Constitution. had an
obvious beating on the Cuban question. George
Canning perceived that France now aimed at
the establishment Of French rule over the Spanish
American colonies, and through our Minister.
Mr.. Rush. he urged President Monroe 20 declare
that we would no. with indifference see the SPAN
fish American colonies transferred "a any other
power" Secretary j. O. Adams replying To
Rush on Nov. 20, 1928. substantially concurrrd
IN Canning's proposal ,-n'linG To concert of
principles He agreed that the United States
could not with indifference soc the Spanish COO
mics transferred to any other nation. He i uhtcd
however whether We should make \ s.''Grn,inr
declaration with regard 30 the annrVainn u cuba
nnd Texha Monroe's memorials" message foI-
lowed on Dec Of the year named in she cours"
OF which he said that with the existing colonies
or dependencies OF any European power. wc have
not in,erered. and shalt mt interfere" Thus
We seemed 10 renounce any intention ~ ,r;rrD 81
zion In Cuba We should now note that as late
a. the spring Of 1924, Mcrl"rnich still favored
the bcstowa OF all by the Holy Alliance up
Spain In her American contest France also
Of the year named part q tic .f,inh fleet was
stationed in the Yves, Indie. rri 2. French con
voy was sent from MartiniqUrt, cuba with Span.
ish ships and troops ElE'ant ~ .ccrcd, aud
tho French Government adHlt'd that orders
had been given To despatch fr,u,a troops 70 Cuba
II conditions required such n move. In June.
1895, Canning informed tho agent Of Mexico
that the British Government would not only Opposo
the seizure Of Cuba by France or the United Statca
but that II could not witness without displeasurc
any attack upon the island by Mexico or Colombia
There Il reason to believe that an invasion Of
Cuba by either Mckee OF Colombia at this time
would have been successful and Canning's frus.
uaton OF the design was pronounced by Mr.
Madden, an English official In Cuba in 1921
great calamity to the British Yves, Indies. As
matter OF fact, however neither Mexico nor
Colombia could have defended the island against
foreign aggression.
The idea of cooperation between the United
States and other nations In n policy concerning
Cuba was suggested as early as 1923, and be
camo subject Of correspondence with England
on several subsequent occasions In August
and September Of tho year named Nr Canning
proposed TO Mr.. Rush that England and tn.
United States should arrange 10 act together
with relation to the Spanish American colonies,
but, after the matter was discussed n, Wash
ington, the American Government decided t.,st
II was better 10 avoid any plan tina fc.cr, lrt
an alliance. Both England and lnr VA. e.!
States agreed that Spain should rrcneriSr tn,
independence OF Mexico and Colowuin aal
shat neither OF these new States shouh u!,.!r
conrol Of Cuba. In 1924, before England r,a.!.
nized tho independence Of Colombia and Mexico,
Canning offered TO guarantee to Spain the n,.
session Of Cuba II sho would recognize the iqdr.
pcndenco OF tho two new republics, but Spain
declined. In April, 1926. Mr. Rush was informed
by a person In high diplomatic station at Lon.
don that England had. several months before,
made an offer to guarantee Cuba to Spain and
TO sond British troops there for the purpoqc In
a conversation between Clay. Secretary Of State.
and hddington. tho British Minister at Wash.
ington, 1t was suggested that, II Spain continued
the war, II might bc necessary to establish an
Independent government In Cuba under the Joint
guarantee OF tho United States and Great Britain
The communication OF thig suggestion cnrouf-
nged Canning TO believe that the United States
would enter into some For; Of An arrange acnt
10 guarantee Cuba TO Spain. Nftcr Rufu; kin-
reached london, in the summer oi 1925, Can
ming proposed 10 him tho signature Of q trprrtl,r
note, In which England. France md the intel
State should dsclam any intention 10 occupy
cuba ana protest against such occupation
by o,hcri Though az Hrst Franco gave sumo
encouragement, sho finally refused to SIN
Canning would nave been willing 10 rI-r the
agreement With Nj. King alon-. but the latter
deemed II ndspen sable 10 transmit II tN his Coy
cFnmcnt When the draft Of that tripar,itc arrange
='on, reached Washington. In oct 10. isaS i,
seemed 20 Clay that Canning's real uh,rct wac ma,
10 induce Spain To end the war but 10 a!c the s,,
picions Of the powers ~ to each other Tho II,
cihe policy OF the United state, he raid n ado
self denying declaration on her part unncccs