The times., 1899-03-13
CONCESSIONS IN CUBA.
Major General BntIer on the Fora
ker Amen hmenf

Major General Bntler on the Fora
ker Amendment.
New York. March 12.-Maj. Gen Matthew
c. Butler. OF South Carolina. who was
member of the Cuban Evacuation Commits
sion, has written the following letter to
Col John C. Calhoun of this city:
Washington, d. c. March g. 1853.
Col. John C. Calhoun. S5 Nassau Street, New
York City.
Ny Dear Sir Yours OF the 9th instant is lust
received. All | know about concessions is that
among the last instructions sent to the Evacu-
aiion Commission IN Cuba were directions to have
every concession granted by the Spanish author
tiles after the signing Of the protocol on the
18th OF August cancelled suspended. We i'm
mediately addressed communication 10 the Span
lsh Commission. and General Castellanos who
succeeded General Blanco ss Captain General in.
forming them Of the Presidents instructions.
General Castellanos promptly issued a decree car
ryinc out the Presidents wishes and thu, ended
i number Of so-caled concessions Ii Others hav.
come into existence since the Evacuation Com
mission lett Havana. on the 7th Of January last
! nave no knowledge OF them. | am inclined to
think, however, that they exist largely il r,.
entirely, III the eNcitablc imaginations Of some
persons who occasionally allow themselves 10
he lashcd into fine frenzy over imaginary things
Tor tine want Of something better 10 do
| know that the President and Secretary ~
War have set their faces steadfastly against tb,
granting OF any concessions 10y ANYBODY or In
am BODY until they can be thoroughly exam
med and scfut inized by impartial tribunals
have no idea that any concessions, in C;iIa Win
be sanctioned by the Administration unless y
can he made to appear that it would Lr in the
interest oil the people of that island for the
promotion ot their business and prospcritv
Something viii have to be done 10 cnco,,r,f,.
the introduction OF capital and business enter.
prise, II the marvellous richness Of the island ! 70
DE developed. y" fears need he entertained that
capital always tmd, Is gong to he dumped ipto
cuba Tocsic-sir or indSorimiuatclv Bcfpr6 IL
goes II must have the assurance of nrote,.tin,,
and stability. and I think We are bound 10 IL,
everything possible to give hat assurance Re-.
buttons by congress won't do it, aud the bpst
iiing that could befall the Cuban people ,yo,,lJ
pe 70 rae '"nssess keep its hands of ami
'3,' 'h' PRESIDENT L" adopt such measure, As
VII best promote their interests Ii we rua,
behalf, " ''
ion ask me about the Foraker apcp,I,,.,t .,
'"e H"HIit 'Fll hlil recent, adopted by Con.
SttN-. W Ilh SlCh Iniormdtiun rs | have | ,lnn't
think such a provision OF law was ncces,,r, and
am unable To forcsee IL effect further than
that IT may increase the di-tr,l>t already ,xi.tine
III me- minis OF capitalists 10 the alfvisahilitv
anu Prudeno" nt making Investments in tb. i'll
anu IN one breath we are told that the United
states forces ought To Withdraw and Is,v. tI,.
tuban> 10 work out their own destiny and in
ihc next We have a proposition from Congress
s"""lHs want OF confidence ~ their ability To
llk' care OF themselves. EytIy concession grant
ed If any should be- must nee cssarIy he snIia,,
TO the aitfnancc or revocation by any tutur.
government permanently established thrrc. hut
Whatever can be done by the President S,crr-
'ay oi War or anybody else to encourage the
development OF the resources of { ub, and aid
the people IN getting their feet again ni,pI,t
To be done. and done promptly / have no rigbt
10 speak Tor the President and Secretary of War
but may say without inpTopricty that they
holh realize the gravity OF the responsibility
which rests upon them. An accurate. kn,vrIcdTr
"f tho methods ut conducting matter, in the isl
and justiies me in saving they may he safely
trusted TO d" nothing except what will rebound
To the best interests OF the people of Cuba There
may have been, and may hereafter be. errors nj
Judgment, but the best OF Us are liable 10 malc
mist axes.
The one thing necdiul in Cuba is the intro
ductlon of American methods OF trlnsactinp
business. and an opening made for American
enterprise and capital. relief from Spanish mono
poles imposed Tor the benefit OF the Spanish. not
the Cuban people, and the President and the See
rrtary OF War ought not to be hampcrcd in their
efforts along these lines.
! shall rejoice to see the day when the oppTi.,s
cd and impoverished people Of Cuba are well ad
'anced On the road TO prosperity aud pt.act.
They will welcome capital and sound business
methods from whatever it may come and
! believe. VIII secure protection and sIfrtv to
all wl" may The President. the Secretary uf
War. and United States officials on that island
will aid in every proper way 10 sustain them
Ot this am confident, YOU may rest assured
Ii the Sundry Civil hill is amended by the
Foraker amendment is To have the cffect-v,birb
can scarcely believe of putin. stop to the
development Of the island during its military
occupation 10y the nited States forces, then tb-
military occupation will be a curse instead of a
benefit, and the sooner i, i ended the batter
Ncry rc>pectfully yours.
ri "TIIp