The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-28
Cuban Relations.

Cuban Relations.
Although, as was remarked in these
columns yesterday. there is much reason
for thinking that the Cubans before long
Will come to the conclusion that their in
terests as well as the necessities of the
case will compel them to agree upon the
terms of their future relations with the
United States in manner and form ac-
ceptable to the latter. the process may be
more or less slow. Qnba is a stranger to
popular government, and even among
leaders Of comparative intelligence there
seems to be an idea that constitutions Will
opeIa ate themselves in some unknown way.
The experiments which have been tried in
the way of native control of amunicipali-
ties have not turned out well, but, on the
contrary. so badly that their failure to ac-
complish desirable results amounts to a
warning to this country not to take any
chances with the island masses.
1t is essential in the extreme that. in
the formulation of any ana every agree
ment affecting the future relations OF
Cuba with the suzerain power, the great
est care should be taken to make the
terms and conditions clear and Impossible
of a construction other than that placed
upon them by the United States, accord
ing to the English text of such agreement
The vice of ambig uity, so often character
izing conventions between States, and
which frequently leads to trouble and
even war, as in the South African in
stance. should never be permitted to creep
into the written evidence of any arrange
Inent we may make with our Antillean
neighbor.
1t is to be presumed that this PROPOSE
81, he n he
dent and the State Department. and that.
when matters approach the point of set
Element due consideration will be given
it, The Plat Cuban amendment to the
Army Appropriation bin. il il represented
the nmlt of definition to be applied. would
be very much open to the objection that
its language is vague, and might result
in future conflicts of Interpretation, if
nothing worse.
AS an Illustration of the point we are
endeavoring 10 impress upon those who
make and those who administer the laws
attention is directed TO a clause of the
proposed Cuban constitution having ref
erence 10 relations with America. which
was adopted by the Constitutional Con-
vention at Havana on Tuesday, after
debate of several hours duration. The
clause in question was to the effect that
Cuba would not make treaties with any
country which would endanger the SOW
ereignty of the Republic or allow the ISL
and to be made a base of war operations
against the United States or any other
country.
We fancy that Senator Teller himself
would hesitate before confiding to the ut
terry untried diplomacy of a but just
emancipated province of Spain the power
to judge of whether treaties with foreign
Powers that Cuba nigh; be tempted into
making were or were not of a character
to jeopardize the safety of the country at
some future time. Our own diplomacy
has earned the world reputation of being
green. But it is Machiayelian and hoary
compared with what that of Cuba might
be expected to be. In fact, it would be the
widest folly for us to let the islanders
make any treaty at all without the privity
and consent OF the United States.
The Cubans, it will be observed, still
show some determination to stand out
for a recognition of their full sovereignty,
which is an impossibility. Practically
they must accept a protectorate. The
necessity for this is well exempliied in
that part Of the proposed constitutional
clause described above, which declares
that the island shall not be made a base
OF war operations against the United
states or any other nation. Scientifically
speaking, Cuba is our first line of defence
against naval power threatening or
moving to the attack of our South ATTAIN
SIC Coast. Naturally We cannot allow 1t
10 be used as a base against us. But how
are We to be assured against the posi-
biiity of such a strategical misfortune in
We
exercise adequate military control of the
territory? Our safety would not be guar
anteed by promise written in the con-
stitutioa OF or in a treaty with A Stat.
too weak TO resist occupation by any con-
siderable modern naval or military force.
We must have the fortified stations in the
island necessary to protect it and us from
Foreign aggression, and, moreover. we
must reserve the right TO use it as a line
of defence against an enemy
The attempt Of the convention to secure
complete sovereignty for Cuba. and ar
the same time to make it neutral as To
the United States as well as to enemies of
this country. must fail Sovereignty. fun
and unrestricted, for Cuba is si.nply ont
of the question. as being incompatible
with the rights of supervision ana v,to
which the Washington Cover nment must
have. in order that the island Republic
may not quickly become and remain a
menace to the peace and civilization of
the Western Hemisphere No one wants
TO Cypress the Cubans; but the law of
self-preseryarion makes it mandatory
upon the United States to see that they
are not given authority and facilities for
becoming constant source of interna-
tional friction. and OF loss and damage
TO US.
The sooner the Administration shall no.
tify them that the so .ere. gnty. al
long for must be qualified by the sole ex
"rcise Of their treaty and war-naking
and debt-contracting powers through and
BY the Government at Washington. and
that fortified naval stations will be re-
CURED whether they Ike it or not. the
more specify will a solution be arrived
at. Up to yesterday the notion seemed
to prevail in Havana that messages an
nouncing the position Of the United
States Senate in regard to Cuban reIa-
tons were manufactured out of whole
cloth. and that our Congress would not
favor suzerainty or protectorate over
Cuba. In day or two such Illusions Will
be dispelled. and then let us hope the Gu
bans may tealize what is before them.
and accept the inevitable with ease and
grace.
Perverted Ideals
The curious case % youth who re-
Gently stole a considerable sum OF money
because he was in want Of funds to com
lrt.u / lie.