New-York tribune., 1901-02-27
TERMS IN cTRA.

affairs are highly gratifying. one is the pldn
of settlement of relations between Cuba and
the United States which was brought forward
in the Senate on Monday an amendment TO
the Army Appropriation bill The other is the
way in which that plan has, on the whole. been
received at Washington and at large. The plan
is not only cordially supported by the Repub-
can members of the committee which drew 1t
up. but has also the approval of Mr. Teller. the
author of the much discussed Teller resolu-
ton and will at least not be opposed by the
Democratic members. There is. In fact. every
indication that il will be adopted by n large
majority of the Senate or course. IL is criti-
cised in some quarters and denounced. We can
scarcely imagine any work of man worth the
paper it was written upon that could entirely
escape unfavorable comment. In the present
case the fulminatiCns against the matter in
hand are such as will rather tend 10 commend
il TO the favor of fair minded men.
The terms proposed are explicit and unmistak-
able They are intended 10 preserve, for all
concerned the good results OF the war which
set Cuba free from Spain. and to maintain for
this country the advantageous position with re-
spect TO Cuba which ii has insisted upon as r
fixed item OF policy for three-quarters OF
century. They require Cuba TO remain forever
free from foreign control and entanglements,
and TO refrain from contracting debts which it
will not he able TO pay. They confirm the right
and the duty of the United States TO protect
Cuba from foreign aggression and from do
mestic anarchy. They provide for the main
tenance of sanitary precautions against the re-
currcnce of the epidemics to which the island
has been subject. for the establishment of per-
| manent United States coaling and naval sta
tions In Cuba, and for the determination of the
| prSbi oft of ny
tiation between this country and Cuba. These
| provisions are 10 be embodied either in the
| Cuban constitution in a permanent treaty
| between the United States and Cuba, and when
| that is satisfactorily accomplished the Presi-
dent is authorized to leave the government
and control of the Island OF Cuba TO its people"
| according TO the terms Of the Teller resolu-
| tom in the Intervention act Of 1898.
1t will be observed that this plan of settle
ment is in exact accord with the long estab-
lshed and universally recognized policy of the
| United States toward Cuba. As long ago as
the Monroe Administration, in 1923, the then
l. Secretary of State, John Quincy Adams, enunc-
ated the doctrine that the interests of the
United States in Cuba were paramount 10 those
of any other power, and that United States con-
troll of that island was TO be maintained at all
hazards. Mr.. Adams so far committed the
United States al that time TO the control of
Cuba's foreign relations that he declared that
any attempt on the part of Spain to transfer it
10 another power or Of any other power 10
acquire ii should be prevented by this coun-
try. ''if necessary, by foIce'-that is to say he
was ready to go TO war with England or France
for the maintenance of the very principle set
forth in the present plan The same policy was
emphaticaly proclaimed by Jefferson. by Clay.
by bV hC -Frb IN
explicitly threatened war with Great Britain
rather than let Cuba pass under British con-
trol-by Gallatin, by Marcy. by Edward Ever
EFT, by Buchanan. and indeed, by practically
unbroken line of Presidents and secretaries
from MOnroe's time TO the present. The plan
is moreover, In fulhlment of the intervention
policy clearly set forth by President hicINin-
ley just before the war with Spain. in 1898. 10
wit: ITO secure in the island the establish
-ment of stable government capable Of main
tanning order and observing its international
obligations. insuring peace and tranquility
"and the security of its citizens as well as our
'own." Finally. may say that the plan is a
logical sequence and fulflment of the Treaty Of
Paris, by which Spanish REIMBURSEMENT of Cuba
was obtained. That treaty provided that the
obligations assumed by this country with re-
spect 10 Cmba should be limited TO the time of
It's occupancy or that island. but, IL added, the
United States will upon the termination of
such occupancy advise any government estab-
''lished In the island 10 assume the same oblga-
"tions." Ii is not conceivable that any one
understood this TO mean the giving OF advice
that might be houted at will. There is no doubt
that the Spanish commissioners who negotiated
that treaty. and every European. if not every
American and Cuban, who understood the
meaning of diplomatic language, regarded that
clause "A pledge that the United States would
its advice followed.
The plan now before the Senate will there
FORE we believe. impress fair minded men as
moderate and reasonable. IL contains nothing
more than guarantee against the renewal of
any such intolerable conditions In Cuba as those
which provoked our righteous Intervention in
1888. Ii is consistent following out of this
countrys well established policy. policy In
which the world has long acouiesced Ii is n
recognition OF the principle that responsibility
and power must go together. and that therefore
| the virtual protectorate which this country has
| maintained over Cuba for seyenty-fye wears
ana more and in prosecution Of which il res
cued that island from oppression and desoa
! flon must be coupled with a certain degree of
| authority. There is nothing in IL that denies
| 10 the cuban people the rights and functions of
self-govenment on the island. If the United
States is satisfied with il. and with the respon-
| sibillties which IL confirms IL surely should he
1 ia IN tfr1l. III,