The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-02-02
THE CUBAN CONSTITUTION ANE
CONGRESS-.


The Cuban Constitutional Convention
is making haste to finish its work in Or
der that the constitution which it is
framing can be presented to the present
Congress. 1t doesn't want to wait year
for the meeting OF the next Congress,
and it is hardly probable that the Pres
ident would call an extra session for the
sole purpose of considering whether or
not the Cuban constitution Is satisfactory.
Just what Congress has got to do with
the constitution of Cuba anyway is not
clearly apparent That body had nothing
to do with calling the convention which
framed the constitution, and the state
ment that the President made in his last
annual message to Congress, namely that
the constitution of Cuba, when prepared,
would be submitted TO that body. evoked
expressions of surprise.
But the organic law of Cuba will be
sent to Congress and will be approved
or rejected by it. In view of the fact
that there is no mention in the instru-
ment which the Cuban convention has
framed about the United States exercis-
ing a protectorate over the island, and
no provision made respecting a CONNER
cial treaty that would give the United
States special commercial privileges, it is
within the bounds of possibility that Con-
gress will make some suggestions to the
Cubans concerning things which their
constitution should contain. If that course
CHI no q he 10
laying of final action on the consti-
tuition until the meeting of the next Con-
gress. That wouldn't be at all satisfactory
to the radical element in Cuba, and il
might result in creating an extremely
bad feeling on the island towards the
United States.
Probably the better course would be to
let the Cubans put their constitution in
operation as soon as possible. After they
become convinced thai the United States
mean to stand by their agreement to give
them their independence it is probable
that they would be- more willing to lis
ten to those who think that Cuba's in
terests would be better served by main
tanning extremely close relations with the
United States Cuba has neither an
army nor a navy, and she hasn't any
money with which to create either. Not
only that, but she hasn't any credit and
will have none for a long time unless
the United States stand In such relations
to her that capitalists will feel assured
that their money would be safe if invest
ed in Cuban bonds.
The commercial classes of Cuba are in
favor of annexation. If they cannot have
that they want an American protect crate.
They will not get even that, at least at
present All the indications point to
absolute independence for Cuba. She will
have to give independence a trial before
she will be in a mood TO listen to sug
gestions looking to very close relations
with the United States. If the President
and Congress take this view of the mat
ter, there viii not be much hesitation in
approving what has been done by the
Cuban Constitutional Convention. The
President need not feel that the most en-
barrassing and trying place in Cuba's
troubles will have been reached when
the question as to what shall be done
with the Cuban constitution comes up for
decision.