Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-24
sIEERAGE IN CUM.

Colonel Kennon, of General Brooke's
staff is reported as having expressed the
opinion that IL would be very hazardous
10 grant universal suffrage to the Cubans,
owing TO the large proportion Of unedu-
Gated people on the island, il being esti-
mated that. excluding the Spaniards. not
% per cent. Of the whites can read and
write. and combining the colored and
white Cubans the percentage Of illiteracy
Is about So. This causes an esteemed Re
publican contemporary to remark: "Ani
yet the United States cannot consistently
establish a government I'm Cuba except on
the principle OF universal suffrage; also.
that 1.-THE Cuban problem is a perplexing
one. and will afford Congress an oppor-
tunity for much thought"
If this country keeps faith with respect
10 Cuba the question Of suffrage will be
none Of our business. That Is a matter
with which we will have nothing TO do.
The fourth Of the series Of Cuban resolu-
lions declares that "the United States
hereby disclaim any disposition or inten-
ton TO exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction.
or control over said island. except for the
paCsfication thereof" and asserts their de-
termination when that is accomplished 10
leave the government and control Of the
island to its people.
In other words we gave the world a
pledge that as soon as the island was
pacined we would withdraw and permit
the Cubans to establish a free and indie
pendent government of their own" Apart
from the letter of this fourth resolution
the spirit OF the debates in Congress on
the Cuban issue committed us absolutely
10 the proposition tina, the Cubans were
20 be left free-handed in the matter OF
establishing a permanent government.
Under no construction Of the resolution
can it be claimed that we are i'm the
island 20 Establish" permanent govern
mont for Cuba. If we propose 10 live up
10 the resolution 1t will not be our pro-
vince TO interfere with the suffrage ques-
ton Of the Gree and independent people
OF Cuba" in any manner. shape. or form.
Cuba will be at liberty 10 restrict suffrage
or make Il universal, according TO her
own sweet will.
But are we going TO live up to the
resolution? 1t begins TO look as II we
were going 10 spin out pacincatlon. and
conduct it along such lines as will AFFORD
us an excuse for repudiating our pledge
and anneXing the island. There is no
question that in a quiet way the annexa-
ton sentiment is being fostered among
certain elements, both I'm Che United
States and Cuba. and that our military
administration of Cuban AFFAIRS Is play
ing into the hands Of the annexat!onists.
Day by day the "Cuban patriots" are
being pushed further from control Of the
offices. the goal for which they were
striving. with the result that discomfort
Is steadily spreading among them. Thus
the annexation'sts are being constantly
furnished with fresh material with which
10 foriify their argument that II will be
years before the Cubans will be ht for
elf-goyernment and the prospect of
gaining time in which annexation leaven
may work is broadening. II the hopes Of
the annexationists materialize, that Is. if
We absorb the island. it win. of course.
be our province TO establish a permanent
government for Cuba. or course also we
would have 20 establish II on the principle
OF universal suffrage. for we cannot ac-
Guire territory. except for the purpose OF
making State or States Of 1t. and hay
Ing carried out this construction Of the
Constitution In respect of Cuba. the
population OF the new State. or States.
would be entitled to the great blessing. -
save The mark. guaranteed by the ff-
'echth amendment. We would be bound
10 incorporate IN our voting population
which Is already fearfully vitiated by tho
blessings Of the fifteenth ameDdment
the much-liked, illiterste. and turbulent.
V-disposed men and brothers" OF Cuba