New-York tribune., 1901-02-08
Cuban Constitution shall precede the ending OF
our military occupation"
MIR. DEPEw on CUBAN QUESTION.
.ItE FAVoRs A BROAD CONSTRUCTION OF
THE TELLER RESOLUTION.

Washington Feb. Z CSpecsil.-Senator De
pew to-day for the first tirne consented to talk
for publication about Cuba. This talk about
our hastily giving up Cuba is Of piece with
the usual prattle OF the Popuiists and Bryanlzed
Democrats all great questions he salo- a
nnai determination Of Cuba's status and of our
relations 10 the island win require time. much
calm thought and much hard work. For sev-
erty-five wears OF more Cuba has furnished one
Of our most serious National problems, ana now
that we are az last nearing a solution, We should
not be hurried by the clamor Of sentimentallsts
or driven bndly into final action by the out
cries ~ the hysterical. The Teller resolution is
the expression OF a very high and noble purpose.
and am convinced that il viii continue TO be
observed by this country in letter and spirit
But the Teller resolution is not all of our dec
laration or obligation, and il therefore must be
nationally interpreted in harmony with its con-
text II is associated not only with other ex-
pressions Of our purpose made at the same time
and under the same circumstances but also
with the solemn pledges 10 which this Nation
was bound by the Paris Treaty. But, Of course.
il it Is TO be insisted that the Teller resolution
simply means that are TO draw away from
Cuba whenever the representatives Of the ig-
norant and unlettered masses Of the Cubans say
they are ready "a get along without US. then i
am against the resolution, and am sorry IL was
adopted However. the resolution cannot be in
terpreted 10 mean that because that would put
us in the attitude Of a great and powerful ma
ton false 10 pledges, and as encouraging
chaos and anarchy; for this condition surely
would ensue should we turn Cuba over 10 the
Cubans at present, or within the immediate
future. But for the strong hand Of the United
States IN the island I have doubt that the
ignorant and unlettered masses, mistaking lib
erty for license. would wreak terrible vengeance
on the spaniards resident in Cuba. and 20 whose
protection are specially obligated by the
Paris Treaty.
Il fear TOO. that IL we should accept the in
depreciation OF the Teller resolution that is put
upon II by our opponents, the Cubans by hook
or crook would be saddled with that stupendous
debt made a charge against the revenues of the
island by Spain. Who knows hut that France.
whose citizens own most Of these bonds. would
send her warships 10 Havana Harbor and de-
mand payment Of the bonds, failing in which
France would take charge Of the collection and
disbursement of Cuba Libre's revenues? There
fore, we are in duty bound 10 insist that the
Cubans put in their constitution provision Civ
protection of our interests as well as Cuba's. we
7nust be granted naval base on the island.
which. strategtcally, is more important than all
the other islands combined in the Caribbean Sea
Likewise, we must be granted the right TO for
Wy the island and man and manage the fortih-
cations. Since Cuba for centuries has been the
home of yellow fever and other dangerous con-
taglons We must be permitted to establish and
control modern scientific system II sanitation
Tor the island for the protection alike OF the
Cubans and ourselves"