Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-25
Complications That May Involve This
Country.
EFFECT OF CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES
Attitude Taken at the Time Of the
Corinto Affair.
INTERESTING SPECULATION

Interesting speculation to the future
of Cuba and the relation Of the United
States to that island are suggested by the
claim presented by Germany for damages
sustained by German subjects In the Cuban
instruction and the subsequent war be-
tween this government and Spain. Gen.
Lee, when in Washington a number or
weeks ago, called attention In an interview
with The Star to the possibility of a very
complicated situation arising from the pre-
.entatfon of claims against Cuba by for
eign powers after the Independent govern
ment has been established in Cuba. 1t is
conceived that this action by the German
government may foreshadow the very COM
plication which Gen. Lee then anticipated.
The suggestion that other governments as
well as Germany Will present claims in
behalf of their subjects for losses incurred
through the disordered condition of affairs
in Cuba. implies that at some time strong
pressure will be brought to bear to secure
the payment of these claims.
1t Is regarded improbable that such
pressure would be placed upon the United
States for claims which we refuse to recog-
nize, but foreign powers are apt to snow
less consideration in dealing with CUBA
after her independence is established than
might be regarded prudent in dealing
with the United States. Claims formally
come in the form of imperative demands
upon Cuba when it's status as an indie
pendent government Is fixed.
Intentions of Foreign Powers.
The presentation Of these claims at this
time may be regarded as a hint both to
the United States and to the Cubans, who
are now engaged in trying to form their
government. that the foreign powers in
tend to stand on their rights, and that
there must be vested somewhere respon-
sibility for encroachments upon the rights
of their subjects. In the enforcement OF
claims against Cuba that may arise from
time to time foreign powers may feel i'm
PEELED to send warshps into Cuban ports,
demanding payment without condition, and
serious consequences might result from In
ability or failure to settle. The question
might arise as to how far this government
could interfere, the complete independence
of Cuba being established.
The COrintO Affair.
In the Corinto affair, which happened dur
ing Clevelands time, a British war vessel
threatened bombardment if payment of the
money demanded were not made within a
certain number of hours and it was then
held that this was not violation of the
Monroe doctrine. since 1t was not the Selling
of territory, although British force land
ed and occupied the custom house and pub
lie offices and appointed governor of the
port.
Some Anxiety Occasioned.
The embarrassment and complications that
might arise on account of our peculiar rela-
tons with Cuba and the responsibility we
assume in the eyes of the world when we
undertake to set up an Independent govern
ment upon the island, occasion some anx-
iety, and the question is raised whether
the interests of this government will not be
seriously threatened if Cuba Is turned loose
to shift for herself among the nations of
the world 1t Is suggested that either this
government will have to take responsibility
for The acts of Cuba which affect the in
teTests OF foreign subjects or else we shall
have 10 permit her to take The consequences
whatever they may be- The presence of
war ships in the ports of Cuba making q
hostile demonstration might affect this
country much as if they were menacing our
own ports
The Monroe Doctrine.
Under the principle Of the Monroe doc
trine, II is said. We would have no right to
interfere unless an attempt were made by a
foreign power to seize territory, and in
that event this government would prob
a0!y become involved in a war though the
Cuban government might be at fault