New-York tribune., 1901-02-05
PRICE THREE CENTS.
SENATOR FRYE ON CUBA.
THE ISLANDS DEBT SHOULD
BE REPUDLATED HE SAYS.
THINKS THE TELLER RESOLUTION A
MISTAKE. AND BELIEVES CUBA
WILL ULTIMATELY BE
ANNEXED.
Inv rELEaRAPH TO rHE Tribune. !

Inv TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.I
Washington, Feb. AIN sense-and that an
important one-there is more uncertainty at
present TO what action will be taken by
this Government in the matter OF bringing Cuba
into closer bonds with the United States than
are provided for in the Cuban constitution
than there has BEEN at any time since that
question became the subject of discussion In
Washington. Necessarily. this has a direct
bearing the question Of an extra session OF
Congress. 1t almost goes without saying that
If it is decided 20 postpone consideration OF the
Cuban question for WHILE there will be no
extra session. II is understood that the Presi-
dent has been discussing this phase of the case
earnestly with his advisers for the last two or
three days. If. therefore, those who are op-
posed to an extra session OF the Congress
finally win, Cuban affairs will remain as they
are for nearly year. On the other hand. If an
extra session is called il will mean that the
Cuban question is to be hastened TO an early
settlement This condition OF uncertainty is OF
peculiar interest. because it indicates with what
seriousness all elements OF thoughtful men IN
public life are regarding Cuba. IT'S future rela-
tions to this country and the line OF duty which
must be followed by the United States Govern
ment. None of the majority members OF the
Committee on Relations with Cuba will now
consent to give interviews on the subject The
minority members and the Democrats generally
are willing enough to talk although when the
subject first broached. last week. none OF
them cared to discuss it for publication.
Senator Frye. of Maine, President pro tenn. OF
the Senate. ranking member OF the great Com
mittee Foreign Relations and a member Of
the American Peace Commission which nego-
tiated the Paris Treaty. talked guardedly to-
night to the Tribune correspondent about some
Of the serious issues involved in the Cuban
question.
First and foremost" said Mr., Frye, Il place
that stupendous bonded debt which Spain fast
ened upon the revenues of Cuba just before
Spanish sovereignty was destroyed in the island
by this country's armed intervention. That
debt, as / recOIlect il. was between $6OO.OO0.O1O
and $7OOOOOOOO. and not $5OOOOOOOO. as is so
generally stated by the newspapers I recall
distinctly the efforts that were made while we
were negotiating the Peace Treaty at Paris to
have us make provisions for the payment OF
that debt. This had neither the desire nor
the power to do. We went there with our hands
tied by the Teller resolution, which I fought in
the committee when we were framing the IN
tervention declaration. and which. for the good
of Cuba we'll this country. never should
have been adopted. L do not hesitate to say
that we now owe it to Cuba to get into the
constitution by some means a clause plainly.
debt. If this is not done Cuba will start with
burden that will crush her. Cuba never can
pay the stUpendOus sum that assessed
against her revenues, though feel certain that
Spain and France. whose citizens own nearly all
the bonds. which they purchased for the most
part at very low figures. will demand fun pay
ment Just Cuba is declared an inde-
pendent sovereignty. BY what method can
get outright reputation OF this enormous
debt in the Cuban Constitution / not now
prepared to say. That will have TO be deter
mined by future events / am certain that Con
gress cannot approve. reject or in any way
amend or modify the Cuban Constitution. The
Teller resolution in letter and spirit prevents
that. But I see nothing in the way OF Congress
discussing the Cuban Constitution at the proper
time and advising the Cubans what 10 do with
that instrument for their good.
so you see" resumed Senator Frye after
pause. what an anomalous position are
placed in by the Teller resolution. Tt is abso-
Iutey unique. The Teller resolution ties our
hands so far as the usual and established meth
DDS are concerned If IL had not been adopted
we would now have some freedom OF action
even to the extent of avoiding all difficulties
both for ourselves and Cuba. by annexation
You know I am an original annexationist, and
believe the course OF events in the near future
will prove the soundness OF my original con-
tentiOn."