The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-11-11
CUR4,s FUTURE.

that election became known. Those who
looked upon the thought of foreign pos
sessions as involving menace to the
perpetuity of our constitutional system
must now, for instance, regard the quez-
ton from the standpoint of accomplished
facts. We have the possessions. The
people of the republic have declared that
we shall retain them and the only Sc
rious issue before Americans now is, how
are they to be retained and administered
with most advantage to the nation and
with the least measure of oppression 10
the people who inhabit them
The great question of the political flu
ture of Cuba comes under consideration
at once, in view of the changed party
political conditions. 1t is interesting at
this time to review the circumstances at
tending an assumption of national con-
troll in Cuba with a view to determining
what the immediate and ultimate our
come is likely to be of the present situa-
ton.
The United States are committed
against any disposition or intention to
exercise sovereignty, Jurisdiction, or con-
troi over Cuba, except for the pacifca-
ton thereof" Our administration of Gu
ban affairs since the disappearance of
Spanish sovereignty has finally culmin-
ated in the calling of national conven-
tiOD The call for that ponyap+ic,, .sboxyoa
plainly that there, exists in latent form
purpose on the part of those In control
of affairs at Washington to maintain
the political connection in some form or
other, even after that convention
has done4- its work. This Is
evidenced by peculiar. provis-
ion embodied by Gen. Wood in the
call. for that constitutional convention.
The call is for convention to frame
and adopt a constitution for the people
of Cuba, and 'as part thereof" to pro-
vide for and agree with our government
on the relations which are to exist in-the
future between the two governments.
That is, the constitution of Cuba ought,
according TO Gen. Wood, have a provision
in It which recognizes some special form
of relationship between the two govern
ments.
Whatever may be the outcome of this
recommendation of the American govern
or of Cuba or of the significant fact that
the membership in that convention has
been kept down to thirty3one delegates.
ii is quite plain that the effort has gone
forth from Washington to lay the basis
Of future annexation or future protect
crate through the new constitution.
1t will: not be difficult, if we wish to
shirk the accepted meaning of
that provision of the congressional
resolution about non-interference. to
retain our control on the ground
that the pacifcation had in view is not
realized, and that it would be to the det-
riment of the Cuban people if we did
Withdraw until We had became thorough
ly convinced that the people of Cuba
are perfectly abe and willing to Sc
cure such a degree of Qualification
as we deem essential. We can
easily invoke our national obligations
to see that Cuba is saved from future
social chaos such as prevailed for so long.
No mere experiment in constitutional
government, such. as may spring from
that convention need be accepted by us
as necessitating our withdrawal We may
wi hA
ously, that we must, stay at least to see
the immediate result of the experiment
if We are not determined to shirk the OBJ
legation which we assumed toward civil
ization to secure tranquility and security
to the Cuban people in their political and
social relations.
1t would be folly to claim that there
are not reasons, and strong ones, why
for the benefit of Cuba we should pro-
mote it's annexation to the United States.
Indeed, considered entirely from the RAJ
tional standpoint, and leaving out Of
the problem those emotional considera-
lions which usually a; control men
in their estimates of political right
and wrong, there are a hundred
powerful reasons why for the
good of Cuba We should pro-
mote the annexation Of the island
10 the one reason that can be stated
why we should take our hands off when
the Cubans have adjourned their consti-
tutfonal convention and set out on their
career as young nation. Anyone who
doubts the correctness Of this might do
well to study the two articles which are
to be found in the current number OF
the Forum magazine, setting forth re-
| spectively the views of the advocates of
the two policies Of independence and an
nexation. One of these articles is enti-
tied why Cuba Should be Independent. y
by Rev. c. w. Currier, and the other is
entitled "a Plea for the Annexation Of
Cuba by ga Cuban They are well
written and exhaustive and set forth
with the same completeness all that can
be urged in favor of both views
Whatever Gen. Wood or those behind
him may urge upon either country in
favor of the annexation project, it will
remain true that the sentiment of the
American masses is today. as 1t always
has been, in favor of the giving to the
Cuban people the most absolute control
Of their own political destinies, to declare
for annexation or to maintain an indie
pendent republic as seems to them best
and most expedieat. Nor will this people