The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-13
The situation in Cuba.

The good effects of the recent Cuban
pilgrimage to Washington continue to
be seen in Havana and elsewhere in
the island in the change of sentiment
among the intelligent classes respecting
the Plat terms. AS our news columns
yesterday informed readers. Jose Co
mez, Civil Governor of Havana Pro
vince, and Radical leader, has been con-
| verted from absolute opposition TO sup
port of the proposition. Other men
prominent in the same political party
are sur.endering to the inevitable. Gen
eral Ruiz Rivera has written from Hon
duras to several delegates to the Con-
stitutionai Convention. strongly urging
immediate acceptance of the terms, that
the Cubans may proceed at once to the
work of establishing an autonomous
! State. Opponents are weakening. and
there is fair chance that the matter
may be settled satisfactorily before
! long.
A considerable element of the Radical
faction. however, are trying to induce
the convention to delay action until the
meeting of Congress in December. The
! idea is still cherished to some extent
| that a better bargain might then be
made Senior Capote, Chairman of the
visiting committee, tells them that
when he left Washington he was
strongly impressed with the belief that
the whole American people were sup
porting President Mckinley in his Gu
ban policy. The Cubans are hearing the
same sort of thing from others. and it
would seem that by this time all whose
opinions are important ought to know
that the Plat terms are the most lib
eral that ever will be offered, and that
should Congress get its hands on the
matter again the result viii be a much
more drastic arrangement.
The resisting contingent in the con-
vention is being bolstered up by the
local sugar and tobacco planting in
terests who are foolish enough to think
that by securing delay they can make
acceptance of the Plat terms the price
of a reciprocity treaty which would ad-
NIT their products to the American
market under more favorable conditions
than at present. Nothing could be more
illusory than such an idea. Both Houses
of Congress are under the influence of
trusts whose interests would be affected |
by the lowering of duties on Cuban SUI |
gar and tobacco. All the trusts stand |
together in matters of legislation. The |
Senates failure TO act upon any of the |
reciprocity treaties presented 10 it at !
the late session is sufficient proof of |
this.
1t would be the depth Of folly for the |
Cubans to hang a solitary hope on Con- |
gress, and the notion some of them |
seem to entertain that we are anxious |
enough TO have them accept the Plat |
terms to pay them some high price for |
the favor ought to be dropped at once. |
The interest of this country in the mat
ter is 10 get through with it; but there |
need be no particular hurry. There is
every disposition to treat the Cuban
people as kindly and literally as ma
tional prudence will permit. But they
will not get another chance like the
present one to become almost a sover-
eign State. Should they refuse to ac-
cept the olive branch now held out tic
them probably they will regret it. Be
cause after American patience had been
eNhausted-and that would not take
many months-annexation would come
with a rush. Some of the Cuban lead
ers appreciate this. 1t is a pity that all
Cubans do not, because il is the gospel
truth.