The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-08

Now that a convention of Cubans is con-
sidering a constitution the question of the
relation of Cuba to the United States is be-
passed in April, 1898, pledges the United
States to remain I'm Cuba until a stable
government, republican In form, Is estab-
lished by the people. Unless Congress shall
take some action the President will be the
Judge of the fitness of Cuba for an indie
pendent government and the date when 1t
shall be recognized. In an article in the
December Forum, Mr.. Rodriguez, a native
of Cuba, shows that the historical policy
Of the United States in respect to Cuba
that of the United States. In 1859 the COM
mittee Of the Senate on foreign relations
came to the conclusion that Independence
could only be nominal and can never be
maintained In fact, so that, sooner or later.
1t would either fall under some protec-
torate or be annexed to the United States"
There is every reason in the situation of
the island why it should be a part of the
United States. Havana is the key to the
Gulf of Mexico. Naturally, the United
States should hold that key. Cuba's trade
naturally seeks the United States. More
and more its industries are coming under
the control of Americans.
The danger of absolute independence for
Cuba is that it will become involved in
some intrigue or dissension which will be
n -~1+o-t e. o,uo E,-o0oo- o~ro~ 80 90
tend a protectorate over the island. 1t will
be impossible for Cuba to maintain foreign
representatives in the principal capitals or
to maintain a avy for the sufficient rea-
son that 1000. 600 people cannot afford such
expenditures. Yet some of the leaders have
been talking of warships. If Cuba is given
absolute independence. so as to conduct
foreign relations and make treaties, any
nation in Europe will nave just the same
right to make special treaties as the United
States would have. This should not be.
for the reason that this nation has given
many valuable lives and expended hum
dreds Of millions of dollars to rid Cubans
of the Spanish yoke. Without our as
sistance they would yet be under the heel
of Spain. For what we have done we have
favor any government is to hav in the
way of trade belongs to us. We have such
claims that Cuba should not be permitted
to accept the protectorate of any govern
ment, thus holding the key to rhe Gulf of
Mexico and the proposed isthmian canal.
The United States would not have permit
ted such a transfer before we delivered
the Cubans out of the hands Of their OPP
pressor. We are in a position now to say
that it shall not be done.
1t has been asserted, with how much
truth we know not, that the policy which
the President iszconsidering is to give the
island absolute control over. its local gov
eminent. while Its relations with foreign
nations shall isbe managed at Havana
through the United States. This means
that Cuba would receive the protection
of the United States and could not be in
terfered with by any other power. Two or
three papers have cried out against this
proposition in vehement protest. They as
tnat CUBA mas the right 10 run IN
dependence, meaning that Cubans shall be
absolutely independent of the United
States. Now, IL is very doubtful if the
Cubans are qualified for self-government.
the experience most Cubans have had
with anything like government has been
during the past two years. Most people
believe that the period of teaching has not
been long enough to warrant the United
States in giving the Cubans absolute indie
pendence. Many believe that. after a few
years, Cuba will be annexed TO the United
For these. and other reasons. many
Americans are disposed to look with favor
upon a proposition 20 exercise a national
supervision over the foreign intercourse of
Cuba.