The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-08-22

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the Cuban insurgent gov
4 ernment, Senior Cisneros, a
man personally OF good re-
pute and venerable both in deeds ana
in years, has journeyed to Washing
ton to present to President Mckinley
a memorial asking that a number of
changes be made in the published
plan of holding a constitutional con-
Vention in Cuba. He wants the con-
Nertion summoned within thirty days;
wants it's membership increased and
each province allowed an equal repre-
sentation regardless OF population, and
wants the basis Of suffrage extended
so as to give certain predominance to
the insurgent element. The present
basis gives voting power to actual
veterans OF the insurgent army, but
not to impostors having no personal
stake in Cuba; and 1t also permits
every person owning property and
residence in Cuba to vote, regardless
Of race or faction. The present plan
of representation assures a predomi-
nance on the part of the Havana
province, proportionate to its superior
wealth, population and influence.
But the significant part Of the Cis-
neros memorial is in its reference to
the portion of the published call which
summons the convention ito frame
and adopt a constitution for the peo-
pie of cuba, and, as a part thereof, to
provide for and agree with the govern
ment of the United States upon the
relations to exist between that gov
ernment and the government OF Cuba,
etc" Regarding this last clause the
memorial says: 81 consider this un-
necessary and in contradiction to the
idea Of sovereignty and independence
and incloses a proposition that Is dis
tasteful to people who love honor
and dignity to discuss and entertain.
We fail to see the right OF the inter-
voning government taking part in the
constitutional convention Of the peo-
pie OF Cuba" Then follows this diplo-
matte sop:
1t is to be hoped that the intervening govern.
ment will have faith in the Cubans TO constitute
constitution for themselves and by themselves,
show due appreciation for all that has been done
for them by tn. government Of the United States,
and that the Cuban people will extend to the
American nation even greater advantages than
those that might be expected, not only from
gratitude, hut also because Of the fact that the
United States have been the only market hereto
fore Tor the product. Of Cuba, and in which the
Cuban people have purchased the greater part
n the supplies which they have imported from
abroad And they will look up TO the United
States for guidance and example, as a dutiiul son
TO his father.
In an interview with a representa-
tive OF the Washington Star, Senor
Cisneros spoke more freely, saying
among other things:
81 think il we do not get our independence be.
fore the elections here we will never have it,
never | think il the president goes not give us
our independence before he is reelected he will
never do it, That is my way Of thinking. So
want TO push events to have independence before
November"
GLOW do you feel about Bryan? II he were
elected would he be more favorable than Nc
KnlCy2"
Again the aged Cuban leader laughed as he
settled himself back in his easy chair, replying;
81 think just the same Of Bryan. Bryan would
do the same. Mr., Cleveland was Democrat
and he was the worst we had against us. I think
the same Of the Democrats as Of the Republicans
But the people Of Cuba will never be annexed
% the United States willingly" he added.
s>'If any attempt were made TO annex them il
could ONLY be by force?"
s;'By force, yes he replied.
~These expressions of skepticism and
distrust, to which old General Gomez
ny the way, has just contributed, ex,
plain why the United States. in help
ing the Cubans to organize a stabl,
government preparatory to it's inde
pendence, must be careful not to pu
knife to it's own throat. We coulC
have done the work much more expe
ditiously and with far less friction haC
the promise OF independence beer
withheld until the natives were read!
for 1t. Now 1t simply operates as
leverageoin the hands of ambition
office-seekers for the fomenting O
popular distrust. A wiser course wa
pursued with reference to the Philip
pines' There responsibility was no
separated from authority and tn
United States is not subject to tn
RRgging OF other than armed enemie
who would have to be subdued in an
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