The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-25
Circulation Statement.
Our Relations with Cuba.


In principle. the American people
thoroughly endorse Mr.. Mckinley's
course with regard to Cuba, from the
declaration Of war with Spain to the
present time. There may have been err
rurs of administration justfying criu-
cism. but. in the aggregate, the policy
of the President has the hearty APP
prevail OF the nation. He was right in
insisting that the ultimate disposition
of the island which we hold by right of
CONQUEST, but voluntarily and gener-
ously as a trustee for its people. should
not be left to the executive branch of
the Government, but that its future, as
far as this country has a right in NOR
ais and necessity to dictate that future,
should be settled by legislative enact
ment.
In accepting and ratifying the Platt
terms enacted by Congress, Mr.. Mckin-
ley displayed at once his kindly feeling
toward Cuba, and his willingness to
bow to the views of the National Legis-
lature in a case where action fell quite
short of what might reasonably be con-
sidered the necessities of the situation.
The Platt terms while well enough in
their way. do not specifically define and
determine the suzerain powers of this
Government in such a way as to leave
no room for future differences Of
opinion. and hence, contention. Should
TIE subject ever again get before the
law-making body. there is no room for
doubt that the mistake alluded to would
he corrected The American people do
and the Cubans should understand that
the relations between the two countries
cannot be dominated by such historical
sentimentalism as marked the Teller
resolutions of April, 1898. but by con-
siderations of American safety.
It would be extremely iInprudent for
the United States to erect fully SOW
ereign State nearly within sight of its
shores. liable as Cuba would be under
present conditions to fall into state of
anarchy which would excuse if not jus
tify foreign interference which We
should be compelled to resist. The peo-
pie of Cuba ought to remember that in
expelling Spain from their territory we
took the ground that misrule, inhuman-
ity. and anarchy made Intervention the
duty of neighboring first class power.
Were they to set up a government
which soon should fall to the level of I
that of Haiti, as it certainly would If |
the Cuban masses were allowed unre
stricted control, il would be practically |
impossible for us to deny the right to 1
other States which We without hesita
ton undertook TO exercise against !
Spain In the end, no matter what sort /
of governmental organization Cuba /
might set up, the United States would 1
be compelled to guarantee its integrity. |
and to protect it against foreign ag- |
gression, or else face the possibility Of |
pean occupation.
1t is 10 be regretted that our Cuban
friends are political children, and seem 1
unable to realize that in protecting our |
selves we are really protecting them. /
The American people are as earnestly |
DESTROYS of benefiting Cuba as they
were when they drove reluctant Ad-
ministration into war for the liberation
of the island from the Spanish yoke
" IL ppSSipAt AApili q III
viewpoint to accord them complete SOW
ereignty, there is not an intelligent citi-
zen Of the Union who would not be de-
lighted 10 see that done. But it is not |
possible. The interests and the safety |
of TIE dominant power of the hem
isphere are involved in keeping a firm
hold upon Cuba in several important re-
spects. These may be summed up in |
the statement that the United States is
to itself in duty bound to control the
treaty and war making and debt-con-
tracing powers of the State which,
through its philanthropy and its sac4i-
fee of ljiogd and treasure, IL. we hope,
soon 20 be brought into being.
We irope that before the committee Of
the Cuban Constitutional Convention |
now visiting this country finish their
investigation of conditions and senti-
ment affecting their political hopes,
they may come to appreciate the truth
of the situation, and go home ready to
influence their associates in favor of the
Plat terms, which are ultra liberal,
and which are certain to be changed in
a way unsatisfactory to Cuba, should
the question of future relations be left
open for the further consideration OF
Congress.
1