The Savannah morning news., 1901-07-21
THE HOLDING OF THE MORO.
WHY THE UNITED STATES WILL
RETAIN THE CASTLE"


station-Cubans Deeply Moved by
the Matter-Premature Announce
ment May Delay the Negotiations.
Washington. July 20.--Advocates OF
the independence of Cuba received a
severe shock by the announcement that
the United States intends to hold Nor
70 Castle under the terms of the Platt
amendment. Moro Castle. as is well
known, guards the entrance to the har-
Dor of Havana, and is regarded as the
most important strategic point on the
entire island.
Although army and naval officials de-
cline to either confirm or deny the
statement that the United States pro-
poses to convert Moro Castle into a
naval fertilization. it is nevertheless
an established fact. Ever since the
American forces took possession of Gu
ba, there has been a determination on
the part of this country to retain GER
tain territory to be used as military
or naval stations for the protection of
American interets, and at the same
time, exert a wholesome influence over
the citizens of the island when they
shall have attained their independence.
Even now there are many army and
naval officers. and also many prominent
men in Congress, who favor the annex
alton of Cuba instead of giving the
Cubans their independence in accord
ance with the terms of the Tekler res
olution. The President, however, takes
the opposite view, and IL is said by
those in his confidence that notwith-
standing the vigorous opposition to his
line of policy, regarding Cuba, the Tel
Ter resolution is to be carried out in
spirit as we'll as in letter. Some of
those who still insist that the Cubans
are incapable of governing themselves
successfully, point to the fact
at present the revenues collected in
Cuba under the present system,
amount to something over SIS, 900, 900
year. This result is obtained, not
withstanding the rates of duty now
levied are much lower than when the
Spaniards were in control of the island.
The Spanish. authorities were unable
to collect more than one or two mill
lion dollars a year, although their rates
were much in excess of those imposed
by the United States authorities. 1t
is therefore, urged in certain quarters
that the surest way to bring about the
ultimate annexation of Cuba, is to give
the CubanS an opportunity to show
their incapacity for self government.
1t appears that the administration is
sincere in its intention to give Cuba
an early and fair opportunity to try
the experiment of self government. At
the same time, there is a desire on the
part of those in authority to take due
and necessary precautions for the pro-
lection nf American infarnGfG in fha
future. In this connection it is inter-
esting to know something of the in
side history relative to the intention of
the government to retain control of
MORO Castle. Under the terms of the
Platt resolution, the United States gov
eminent is permitted to locate certain
sites for naval stations in Cuba. The
resolution does not limit the number of
sites, or specify any particular locality.
Those in authority have had the SUD-
ject under serious consideration since
the occupation of Cuba commenced.
One of the officials familiar with the
subject went on to say that as soon as
the United States government deter
mined that 1t might need such stations
in Cuba, the first point to suggest it
self was Hanava, the principle port
in the island and unquestionably the
largest and most important harbor in
the west 1UQld lSldnQS.
Moro Castle has always been re-
garded as a military prison, and its
history runs back several hundred
years. The first report given out was
to the effect that the army of the Unit
ed States was to lay claim to Moro
Castle and convert it into a military
rendezvous or station. This, it appears,
was DENIED contrary to the spirit of the
Plat resolution, but it appears that the
navy, which struck the final blow at
Spanish authority both in Cuba and
Manila, had to be called into action
again in order to retain possession of
MORO Castle.
The navy having already fixed its eye
on the navy yard in Havana, was re-
quested to lay claim to MORO Castle
as a site for a naval fertilization in
connection with the navy yard. The
scheme is now being worked out with
the combined efforts of the War and
Navy Departments. The matter has
not been finally adjusted owing to the
stubborn opposition of the Cubans. The
latter look upon the occupation of Nor
70 Castle by the United States as a
gard it as the fore drummer to further
acts of subjugation. The United States
authorities reply to such expressions of
fear that If the United States were
bent on subjugation and annexation,
it is powerful enough to do so. But
as no such policy is intended, this gov
eminent proposes to protect its interest
in accordance with the terms of the
Plat amendment.
The somewhat premature announce
ment Of the governments intentions
regarding Moro Castle, created quite
a flutter of excitement in the War and
NAVY Departments, and il is said that
the negotiations now in progress may
be delayed in consequence.
Cubans Had Expected 1t.
Havana, July 20.-The report that