New-York tribune., 1899-07-14
THE CUBAiI pROBLEM.
AMERICAN MILITARY OCCUPATION AND
THE FORMATION OF NATIVE
GOVERNMENT
To the Editor Of The Tribune.


Sir: The editorial in Saturdays issue Of The |
Tribune. entitled Citizenship in Cuba" touches |
the veritabe core Of the Cuban problem.
The people of Cuba are not favorable to an |
nexation. but are resolutely standing upon the |
declaration made by the United States in the |
joint resolutions Of April TO- 1898 that the peo-
pie of Cuba are and of right ought TO be. free |
and independent" They complain against the |
prolongation OF the present military occupation |
and because Of 1t say that the United States is
not also standing faithfully by the declaration |
above recited.
Prior to the signing of the Treaty Of Paris and
the evacuation Of the island by the Spanish au
thorities there question to the terms
and character OF Cuban citizenship The natives
OF the island the "Cubanos." and the PENN
sulares who came from Spain, as we'll as Span
ish citizens from other Spanish possessions were
included under the general citizenship OF Spain.
BY the results Of the revolution, by the resou
tions OF the American Congress, and by the
treatment OF "the people Of Cuba" in the phrase
ology Of the Treaty OF Paris. every sensible
Cuban now holds that his citizenship Cuban
is fixed beyond dispute. They claim that all
Cubans who were legally recognized Spanish cit
liens prior to December 10 last (the date OF the
treaty. are still Cuban citizens.
remaining IN the island after the ratiicstions Of
said treaty shall have one year within which to
determine whether they will continue in their
Spanish citizenship or will become Cuban clti-
zens. II they elect to continue Spanish citi-
zens they must within the year. register their
declaration to that effect in order to preserve to
| themselves the rights privileges and immunities
| of Spanish citizens. This singular and unfortu-
nate provision of the treaty postpones the final
| settlement of the Spanish citiZenships until
| April 49, 1900-one year after the ratification Of
| the treaty. For there is no power or authority
| conferred by the treaty upon anybody to compel
the Spaniards to elect sooner than the last hour
| OF the term within which they may make choice
Of citizenship. If they fail to register Spanish
citizens within the allotted year. the treaty de-
| clares that ipso facto they 20 be counted as
| Cuban citizens.
But this condition Of the Spanards is no bar
| TO constructive action the part of the Cubans.
Those Of them who prove their legal citizen
ship prior to the cessation of Spanish sover-
eighty over the island are capable of being reg
istered by any competent authorty-that Of the
United States military government, If you please
and such ascertained citizens are the only
competent suffragans and electors in Cuba at
this juncture. Let them be speedily called upon
dependent government Of the island shall be
constituted and administered. A provisional
convention Of delegates elected by the citizens
Of the various municipalities Of the island-a
proceeding which tha Governor General could
sanction and easily regulate any month that is
passing-would quickly settle those questions
The constitution thus provided would fix the
conditions of Cuban citizenship, the qualifca-
tons of voters. term of registration. etc. Imme-
diate provision for such convention would
satisfy the Cubans and would soon render il
possible to withdraw the American military oc'
cupation.
AS to General Gomez. the matter is plain. Ir
his latest pronunciamentos to the Cuban people
he has distinctly stated that he is a citizen OF
San Domingo. He thereby removed himself
from any right to consideration other than as ir
his words. "e Dominicano amigo de 10:
Cubanos." He cannot be a candidate for the
Presidency Of the Cuban Republic, or for any
other office Hereunder.
? Concerning the Cubans who obtained paper
as American citizens, either before or during tn
2 late war their position in Cuba is not uncer
tain. They are still American citizens. and Their
I is no legal way by which they can become Cubai
citizens again until Cuban Constitution ant
A specific statutes on the subject Of naturalization
define a method for such repatriation In Cubal
politics and affairs they can, until that time, b.
Z only what they are-interlopers and gratuitou
advisers At present most Of them are marplots
: and If dealt with according TO their deserts
would be ordered out Of the island by the Gov
ernor- General within a week.
The actual case in Cuba to-day is this: Tha
the American authorities are waiting for tn
2 Cubans to organize a reliable form of govern
ment. and the Cubans are waiting for til
Americans to get out'Of the island before the
, (the Cubans) make any effort a. such organza
g ton. The question remains-Which side vii
/ first yield its position? Apparently neither one
and therefore these cross purposes will continu
Do until Congress meets and resolves the situation
in honest harmony with its own declarations o
| April last SAM w. SMALL.
New-York. July 10 1899