The evening times., 1900-04-28
The Proeon.uIation of Cuba.

The Times has been among the few
American papers which have boldly advo-
Gated the annexation of Cuba We have
never favored that step at the cost OF na-
tiOnal good faith When Congress declared
that the people of Cuba are and by right
ought to be free and independent" the
country was at that point estopped from
ever attempting to force union upon the in
habitants OF the island. The declaration
was emotional and on the whole. noble II
was not exactly called for or expedient. It
would have been much better TO have noti-
ned the struggling revolutionists OF Cuba
that. if they chose to accept American
citizenship rather than Spanish tyranny
they might have #.
In our scientific relation to Cuba, both
the thinking part of our own citizenship
and the intelligent people of the island
fully realize that it must be dominated and
controlled by the United States We have
presented the ground for this assertion so
often that readers of The Times must be
familiar with it By this time. Cuba. phys
ieally considered. is part Of the North
American Continent. In the possible con-
tingency Of its control and occupation by a
strong military power. it would become too
dangerous 10 our institutions and even 10
our existence as a Republic TO talk about
II We were 10 turn Cuba loose and allow
the almost uncivilized majority Of its in
habitants TO wreck it. as Haiti and San
Domingo have been wrecked. we should be
ir hourly danger of some local act which
would excuse or even justify European in
terference and perhaps European occrpa-
ton. We cannot afford to take such risk.
We must keep Europe out Of Cuba. and. 20
DO So We shall be forced to see that Cuba
always has stable government" capable
OF preserving peace and good order near
our shores. and capable OF assuming and
observing necessary obligations to other
States
Ultimately Cuba will have to be an
nexed TO the United States. Just now we
are under a pledge to its people to give
them losal independence. This pledge.
however. Is not necessarily to be con-
strued as one which would force us to
leave them entirely to their own devices
relatively to international matters which
are OF vital importance to the United
States. Whether the present or future
connection between this country and Cuba
be viewed from a military or political
standpoint. it must be evident that the
United States cannot consider the possi-
bility OF any regime in the island which
might threaten the political interests Of
this nation. OF affect the integrity of its
position as the paramount American
power. II the Cuban people should insist
upon the letter of our Congressional prom
ise to them. there is no honorable way in
which we could avoid specific perform
ance of it. But. in performing. we would
be entitled TO act in accordance with the
supreme law OF self-preservatIon- We
should be false TO our own interests. in
stitutions. and citizenship if we permitted
Cuba to take her place in the family of
nations as a fully independent state. II
is to be doubted that the population of
the island, considered on the basis OF an
unrestricted suffrage. is fit for self govern
ment; but. irrespective of that. il is pos
sible that we may be compelled in honor
TO grant free local elf-government. At
the same time every instinct OF seif-pro-
lection should impel us to accord it only
complete suzerainty. There is in prin-
ciple no objection to a free Cuba. There
Is every reason why Cuba should not be |
free to menace the United States by an
archy. or by her relations TO or entangle- |
ments with foreign countries.
We have endeavored to make the posi- |
tion of The Times clear on the general |
proposition Of a proper American attitude |
toward Cuba because there is much in our |
current one that deserves adverse criti- |
ctsm We ought to be frank and honest |
with the people whose cause we adopted.
ard whose release from the burden Of |
Spanish rule We intervened to secure But /
we are not We ho:d Cuba by military oc-
cupation only. We do not pretend 20 any