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


relied upon. Later in the same year, there was
rumor that England intended to occupy Cuba.
and Mr.. Gnllatin. then our Minister at London,
informed Canning that complications in Anglo
american relations might result from an Anglo
Spanish war especially a. TO Cuba which, II
WAS understood. should not fall into the hands
Of either England or tho United States Can
ming, on his part, would give no positive assur-
ancc that his Government had no designs on
Cuba. In 1920 Mr.. Van Buren,. then Secretary
Of State, instructed our Minister at Madrid that,
while IL was not the American policy TO give a
direct promise TO guarantee Cuba TO Spain. he
believed the American Government would DO
ready TO prevent any threatened blow, and thnt
the naval force and influence Of tho United States
would render their con rent an essential prelim-
mary to any project that might affect tho affairs
Of nations engaged in American commerce.
II.
In January, 1895, the Madrid Government
was In financial straits. and there was a secret
scheme to sell Cuba 10 France The Queen Re
gent Christina, sent an agent TO France TO inter
view Prince Talleyrand. and to propose the sale
OF Cuba 10 King Louis Philippe for 80, O0O. 900
reals the Philippines and Porto Rico for TO- 600 900
more. The project niiscatricd because the thrifty
Kirg tried 10 get the Philippines for lower price.
About the same time. r,imOrs were current that
the British Government ex pcctcd to receive Cuba
"a a pledge for loan TO Spain. When Eaton,
the United States Minister at Madrid. heard this
report he presented an energetic protest to the
Madrid Government az ainst the plan. and stated
that the United States could not permit England
TO hold Cuba under any circumstances. Madden.
who was an English oflcnl in Cuba In 1887.
said that II England in that year could have been
t.l a.. ~.
Of any foreign power tho white Inhabitants woro
prepared to throw of the Spanish yoke and to
undertake tho abolition Of the slave trade. In
the same year, Deputy Sancho. speaking In the
Spanish Cottes, predicted that, II tho Island Of
cuba should ever cease TO be Spanish. II would
belong to the negroes. This. because " another
nation should attempt TO take possession Of the
island some rival power would oppose the design.
For the United States, he said. TO consent to Eng
land holding Cuba would be like one person hand
ing 10 another the key 10 his morey.safe, while,
the other hand. England. which had large
possessions in The West Indies. and desired 20
control the rans.isthminn trade. would never
allow Cuba to be held by the United States.
In January, lSi3 n report reached Washington
10 tho effect that English agents were Offering
Independence N IN, Crcolcs Of Cuba u they would
unite with the blacks in favor Of emancipation.
anu bI n ml.Nirs rrpuDnC unu'r Brlusn
protection. and that the abolitonists were OK.
pccIinG; the assistance of a British feet On the
iita Of the month named Mr.. Webster, Secretary
81 Stat. wrote to Mr.. Campbell an Am, rcan
Consul in Cuba. asking him 10 verify thu report,
and stating that the tnitd States would not
permit England to use any force. nor allow Cuba
to be occurred by the agents Of England. for II
was seen that the power Just mentioned could
thus clos both entrances TO the & ulf 81 Mexico
and interfere with the commerce of all tho rivers
which had Ncir common mouth at New Orleans.
In the spring and summer II lSis the Spanish
Minister at Washington had a numb"r Of CONVEX.
sat ons with Secretary Upshur upon Cuban affairs,
and seems 20 have applied TO orr Government
for armed assistance TO Illustrate any attempts
whch England might make in case Of crisis.
After tho annexation OF Texas. in the carly
part u 1915. the subject of Cuba was brought
to The Alteration OF tho American people by the
irresistible power Of circumstances. In l846 a
popular movement for the annexation Of the island
brran in tho Southern States. Nm February
of tho year named resolution WAS offered in
the House Of Rcrry sent tivcs that the Committee
on Foreign Affairs b. instructed - inquire into
the cxpcdicncy Of reporting a Joint resolution
directing the President 10 negotiate with Spain
for thr purchase ~ Cuba. II was soon f,lt that
thr annexation Of Texas ard the subsequent war
VITA Mexico might give England a prsteXt for
sewing Cuba. The failure 10 pay the int rest
on the Spanish national bonds afforded an even
moro plausible excuse, Tha.part Of the Spanish
delft which was due to England was $3.50 900. 0oO.
on witch no interest had been paid for a long
time. Lord George B-ntncks speaking in the
Iiousc Of Commons in ls47 in,'ma'ed that Spain
should bc forced IL nay. and rrf'frd sirnlhcenty
10 the revenues of cuba No'LIn. came Of this
suggestion, however
As soon ~ the struggl. With Mexico was closed
President Polk addressed himself seriously 10 the
acquisition o! Cuba On june 6. 1913. he brought
tho subject before his Cabinet Tho Cubaus
at this timn were said TO be ready for an insur-
recuon, and II was uncertain when war tho
island might Begin. AnroSpnn,sh relations
were IN n serious tlngc. aHb !ir,.wrg. the Eng
irh Minister ut Madrid, had been Tered 10 leave
Spain IN fu'T'cight hours, Polk proposed 10
"a Nru" now that We were willing to buy Cuba,
nN' 20 Cabinet unanimously agreed. Polk
anu hiS Secretary oi State, Buchanan, preferred,
ncNc-theess, 10 wrap the ncgo,ia tons as TO Cuba
in secrecy and mystery, Folks instructions
10 Saunders, our Minister at Madrid, were pro
foundry confidential" They were written on
juno 10. lSI8. but they were held back from the
CLERKS, and not received for record until Feb
25 1919 In his instructions. Polk told Saunders
-
munication concerning the distractions In Cuba,
III" ',"od firth of the United States and the danger
l''n Great ii'tlln. II hoSt,l,ics between Spain
"a! England should take place Folk expressed
'h' fear that the latter power would seize Cuba
AZ onc', and hn thought that. war or no unr sho
"1ul take the opportunity Of securing the island
M buchanan on his part. took pains 10 point
out that the United STAT had used proper means
To preserve neutrality with regard 70 Cuba and
were still wiling that SPAN should keep the
colony but he re stated the resolve OF the nlted
States 20 allow IL 10 pass under tho dominion
OF no other European power, lie also IN tainod
that II would be wise for Spain TO sell the island
lilo nycrrcd that the United States had never
had any agency in aT!tatinG this que 'tion among
the Cubans, but that the Crcolcs hated Spanish
dominion, and were liable 10 start an instruction
at any time: the Cuhnns. in fact, 6prrcc. atcd
tho commercial advantages which would follow
annexation, and were therefore, ready 10 rush
into our arms, The Spsnish Minister informed
our envoy that thr'c was prosp, CT OF q, ~ on
oiCuha AT that time OurenyOy again approached
the Spanish Minister on the subject in December
1913, aud received the reply that SOONER than
SO the island transferred 10 any powcr the Span.
sh people woni prefer 70 sec II sunk in tbs OCEAN"
RI n l,,G,