The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-17
CUBA AND INpEPENpENoE
From Golfers Weekly.l

From Golfers Weekly.1
Intelligent observers of the situation
in Cuba are beginning to ask why the
military occupation is prolonged. and
why steps are not taken to carry out
the promise of congress that wholly
independent government shall be estab-
lished in the island. 1t is obvious that,
so long as the present provisional state
of things shall continue, the develop
ment Of Cuba's natural resources will
be retarded. There is now no authority
in the island qualified to confer rail-
way or other franchises; neither can
money be borrowed on account of the
island as a. whole, or of any of its pro-
vinces or municipalities. Under the
Spanish regime, the insular revenues
were supposed to afford security for
loan OF some $780, 900, 900. From that
burden Cuba was delivered by our
treaty with Spain, and nobody doubts
that. on the security of her customs
duties alone. she could tomorrow, were
she independent, contract with the ut
most ease a loan of more than $1OO, 000,-
COO
1t is not surprising that the delay in
the preparations required for the crea-
ton Of an independent government ex-
cites suspicion in many Cubans, whom
their experience of Spanish perfidy has,
not naturally, made distrustful.
While we understand the Impotence
evinced by some Cuban patriots, when
they look in vain for measures calcu-
lated to give them quickly their prom
Used independence, we can assure them
that their approximations are unfOunded
and that their hopes will be fulfilled by
the next congress, which Will meet in
about five months from the present
date. There never was a nation more
absolutely bound to pursue a definite
policy than are the United States to
innRnQn6RnRR ME 10
that effect was embodied in a joint resO-
luton passed by immense majOrities in
both houses of the federal legislature.
and signed by the federal executive
Even If the president and his cabi-
net were secretly DESTROYS of violating
that solemn covenant, they would incur
the penalties of impeachment if they
did so without previously securing the
consent of the legislative branch Of the
government. That consent will not be
given, as was proved at the last session
Of the last congress. wherein, although
the Republicans had a large majority
In the house of representatives the re-
Quested permission to confer certain
franchises commended on the plea of
immediate necessity. was refused to the
war department. The next house of repre-
HentatiVes has a relatively slender major
ity, and Is, therefore, even less likely to
break the engagement entered into by
the Joint resolution passed in April,
1898, and reaffirmed in the treaty of
peace, which, while exacting from Spain
an absolute surrender of sovereignty
over Cuba, firmly declined to assume that
sovereignty on the part Of the United
States.
Whatever, therefore, may be the base
1nclinattOns of some political campbell
lowers and however tempting a prey
Cuba may seem in the eyes Of specu-
latOrs and contra ctors, they will have to
look for satisfaction of their greed, not
to Mr.. McKinley's administration. but
to the independent government which
the next congress Will insist upon es-