Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-04-01
.F|TzHUCH LEE
TALKS ON CUBA.
American Citizens Must Exercise
Highest Patriotism.
ISLAND MUST BE PAClFlED.
Her Future VIII be Determined by
Her Workmanship - ! land
May Yet be Oura

Omaha, March 3i.-Gen, Ft2hugh
Lee. for the first time since his retire.
ment from the army, has given express
sion to his views with regard to the fu-
ture of Cuba The occasion was the
banquet given In his honor at the Oma-
ha club After referring to his service
as oonsu-general and in the army in
that island, he said:
More than ever must there be an
exercise Of patriotism in its highest
sense by the citizens of the United
States. The ship Of state has extend
ed It's sailing charts to parts OF the
world undreamed Of until recently as
being In It's course. The Philippines
are ours by treaty, and their future, 50
far as the United States Is concerned,
should be duly determined by Congress
after--and not before--the armed resist
ance 10 the authority Of the United
States has ceased The splendid ex-
plot of Funston throws brilliant light
upon the coming path Of peace.
Porto Rico Is ours by conquest,
Nillt 1NDh mas It's STATUS NNfh Wy AliD
Teller resolution in the act declaring
war against Spain. Under that resolu-
tlon the United States discaims any in
tention of exercising suzerainty, juris-
diction or control over the island OF
Cuba, except for the paciilcatlon there
of, and when that Is accomplished the
government Of the islands should be
turned over to its own people. That
solemn declaration Is binding on the
government and In my opinion will be
and should be rigidly adhered to.
'irhe expenditure of treasure and
blood, the dead American soldiers and
sailors, the geographical location Of the
island, the large interests held by the
American, Spanish, English German,
French and, indeed, the Cubans them
selves, demand that the island should
not only be paolfed, but be permanent
ly pacilled. The pledge Of the United
States does not demand that American
control or supervision be absolutely
wlthdraws, II the United States from
evidence before the proper department,
believes that the Cubans will fight
among themselves before OF shortly
after the American soldiers now In
Cuba stack their muskets on American
soil
"The war was waged to make Spain
withdraw Its land and naval forces
from Cuba and rellnquish It's authority
on the island That having been ac-
complished the United States Is now
concerned In upholding its solemn
pledge Of paclhcation In the interests
of all.
CUBA will agree in time to the con-
ditlons imposed by the Plat amend
ment in the interests OF its own inde-
pendence, and In order that the United
States can faithfully maintain the
pledged qualification of the island.
"Thlrty-one members were elected, or
rather selected from the whole ISLAND
TO constitute a constitutional conven-
ton. When its work is completed the
organization of government should
follow, and when that is accomplished
the jurisdiction and control OF the is
lands Will undoubtedly be turned over
to the Cubans. The foreign and other
property-holders want protection and
peace. The majority Of Cubans, con-
shutting the agriculturlsts, are appar-
emily ignorant that convention is in
session, and II Is most difficult to make
them vote on any question.
Many portions OF China did not
know war was In progress with
Japan; so many Cubans pay no atten-
ton TO the war OF words OF the con-
vention. The Cuban ex-soldiers are
active and more or less excited. When
the time comes 10 MI the government
offices they will be heard of often and
early
"Cuba's future will be determined by
Cuba's craftsmanship. Should the col
lective Cuban wisdom be sufficient to
keep the craft afloat on the waters OF
prosperity and establish a stable gov
eminent strong enough to protect life
and property and give confidence TO
capital there will be no disposition on
the part Of the United States TO inter-
fere; but II the governmental problem
cannot be solved after a fair trial by
the Cubans. the future destiny OF the
smile Of the sea will be forever con-
fided TO the care Of the great American
republic"