The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-05-31
Circulation Statement



This morning an idea appeared to
pervade political circles IN Washington
that our recent Cubas visitors had out
witted Secretary Rect, and that he had
committed a serious error in expound-
ing to them the Platt terms in the way
of doctrine and construction. What has
happened in consequence Of that visit
and repeated conferences at the War
Department between the Cuban COM
mittee and the Secretary Is now known
to the public In accepting the terms
the Cuban National Convention has ap-
pended an addenda giving what is al
legged 10 be a summary of Mr.. Roots
statements as to the scope and mean
ing of the several articles. and they are
adopted strictly subject 10 the same
Whether Mr. Root erred in his esti-
mate of the diplomatic cunning of his
visitors, and considered them in the
light OF political children to whom q
kindergarten lesson in future relations
would be a kindness, or not, is beside
the question. In the end they have not
trapped the Secretary Of War, but only
themselves These islanders, having
shown the Latin fnesse which they
have. and considerable grasp Of the
methods. if not the principles, Of di-
pIomacy cannot be acquitted OF possess
ing also full knowledge that Mr.. Root
could no more bind the United States,
or change the intent OF meaning Of a
law Of Congress. than he could fly. IN
deed. two members Of the Constitu-
tionaI Convention. Senores Hor2tio Ru-
bens and Gonzalo de Quesada. have
practiced law in the United States, and
are Furthermore, in view Of other ex-
per5ence as well, perfectly familiar
18th the governmental Institutions, or
ganizat ton, and practice Of the country.
At least these two thoroughly knew
that the convention was merely vast
ing time and indefinitely postponing
Cuban autonomy in committing itself
to the folly which now appears
We are sorry that this enbarrass-
ment should have arisen, because the
American people would like to have the
Cuban case finally adjudicated, settled,
and of the docket; but that, it
seems, is not to be for some time to
come. So much the worse for Cuba
It will now be necessary to send the
convention an uItimatum which viii be
one in form as well as effect The Plat
terms will have to be accepted YER
baIim ct nteratim at once, or
our island neighbors viii ind them
selves worse off when Congress shall
meet again They must understand
that after all the blood and treasure
the great Republic has spent 10 free
them from the yoke Of Spain it is in
no mood for trifing at their hands, and
that nothing Of the kind VIII be toIer-
ated.
If the Cubans think by this subter-
fuge to POSTPONE action and secure
more favorable conditions next winter.
they viii find themselves esrgE -IsIy
mistaken, No doubt, if the matter is
left in the air until December, the Plat
terms will be either amended or re-
pealed. In the one event they viii be
made stronger and refran1ed so as to
declare a firm protectorate over Cuba,
with partial military occupation until
such time as this Government may
think il prudent to suspend that eX-
ercIse Of the suzerain police power. In
the alternative of repeal. the Cubans
may as well make up their minds that
The next step VIII be annexation We
do not really look for early annexation,
as the Sugar and Tobacco Trusts are
opposed to the idea but unless the ISL
anders shall speedily come to their
senses and agree to accept what is now
offered them, the result viii be basis
Of future relations which will make
them wish they had jumped at the
Piatt terms or had been annexed.
It is satisfactory TO learn that Pres
ident Mckinley is both dispIeased at
the dupIicity and ingratitude of these
wards Of ours, and that ne will not
stand any further nonsense from them
The situation is being canvassed at the
Cabinet meeting today, and the concIu-
sions reached may probably be known
this afternoon or tonight The country
IS equally sick of the maudlin hysteria
OF the Teller resolution of April, 1893
and Of the rump convention at Ha-
vaT-a. Something Of a definite and de-
cisive character should be done al once
to bring the Cuban affair to a condition
Of order and progress.