Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-04-26

Statehood would save to the United States
every feature of paramount sovereignty 10
retain which last March congress resolutely
turned its back on the sacred pledge OF CUBAN
freedom and independence in the resolutions
of A pril 20, 1885,
But at the same time statehood offered by
the United States and accepted by Cuba
would give to the Cubans n voice in that
paramount sovereignty that would more than
compensate them for the control OF their
own affairs forcibiy demanded in the Platt
amendment.
No sophistry can palliate the offensive
mandate of the Plat amendment 1tdenudes
Cuban independence OF the attributes OF in
dependence the authority to negotiate treat
les, to contract debts, to protect "tfe, prop
erty and individual liberty" aud to manage
| local sanitation, and surrenders the Isle OF
Pines and naval stations to the United States.
This established an American protectorate
over the island and left the Cubans mere
mockery of the national independence for
which they had been struggling for more
| than half a century.
1t was an act of bad faith on our part for
which there was no Justification in necessity
| or in morals. We coveted Cuba, and having
the power of giant simply exercised it as
a giant.
But the proposal TO give Cuba statehood
| in return for what we virtually demand IN
| more honorable face on our relations. 1t
| would mean new deal for both. 1t would
| say to the Cubans candidly and frankly what
| a majority OF the American people have
| always wished said: 1--WE desire to annex
Cuba"
1t would prefer to them a share In our
government for sOverei ynty over theirs such
| as is exercised over the sovereign states OF
Illinois and New York. They would be en-
| titled to two senators and seven or eight
representatives. They would have their own
| governor, state officers and legislators and
| their share OF federal offices.
| AS the annexation OF Cuba Is inevitable,
why not make the profier of statehood the
gracious means OF wiping out the stain OF the
| Plat resolution on Our national honor!
| 1t is something the Cubans can accept,
| whereas they cannot accept the Platt man.
| date without surrendering honor, self respect
and national independence with the signing
| of the hated bond.
| For the United states 1t sows dragons teeth
| IL It insists on the Plat resolution, while IL
can bind the Cubans to the union by the
| bonds of gratitude, free will and national
community by the giant of statehood instead
OF suzerainty.
The Sun editorial Is as follows:
THE HON. RICHARD oLNEY ANSWERS CUES.
TON FOR US.
We are glad to reply by proxy to the ques
|
respondent who writes TO us the subjoined
| letter on Cuba:
| To the Editor of The Sun-Slr: In your
| issue of April IL, speaking OF Cub as desire to
be Independent in the matter of finances and
| to have access to our markets. you say Gu
bans of all kinds may Yet recognlZr mat In
| annexation lies the true solution OF the econ
omic ana political problems by whlcn tney
are confronted"
| That may be granted, so far as concerns
| their problems; but how about ours! The
| idea Of Cuban anne xation is occa ,ionally
| mentioned with bated BREATH rs though pre-
mature discussion might pr event SO desirable
| IA consummation), out Is there really any we'll
| considered opinion that II would De u the
| advantage of the United states, or to any but
the few speculative promoters among their
| citizens?
| thing above 100000 whites, native and for
| eign born; about 1000 negroes; go 900 mixed
races; and nearly $1,000 chinese Does any
voting citizen of the United States desire TO
have our own Federal Government shared in
by senators and representatives elected by
that combination Of European Latinism.
| Afric and ASIA which goes to make up the
Cuban population' suppose Cuba wished III
| should we? j. H.
before the meeting. The idea of annexation,
| however. as a desirable l., ng, had been
| entertained by a very large part OF the Amer
| lean people for considerably more than half
| a century before we went to war with Spain.
| One president of the United States actually
|
| island. President Polk in 1Sis authorized the
| Hon. Romulus NJ. Saunders, United States
minister at Madrid to offer to pay $i00. 0O0, 900
| for it; but the offer was promptly declined by
| Spain. Many American statesmen OF emin
| ence have believed that this nation ought to
| possess Cuba and the list Is not confined to
| those who were actuated by a desire o but
| tress the institution of slavery on this con
| tinent.
Without going into opinions Of the past we
| shall reply to the direct question OF our cor
respondent by showing him the views OF
one contemporary statesman who Is not
Republican, not an "Imperialist, > not a slave
holder. not a speculative promoter" and
not a person in the habit of speaking with
"bated breath" We refer to the Hon. Rich
ard Oney, VIII D held the high Office OF secre
tary OF state in the administration OF the
Hon. Grover Cleveland. Just one year ago
Mr.. Olney published his wellconsidered
opinion that the annexation of Cuba was
inevitable and would be to the advantage OF
both CUBA and the United States. He SAID
in the Atlantic Monthly of March, 1900;
"while the Spanish IT end.d in the
quisition of Cuba by the United States, that
result was neither unnatural nor surprising.
but something sure TO occur, II not In the year
1888, before many ears, and IL without war,
then bN cession from Spain more or less
compulsory in character
cit may DC thou ght mt first blush that To
speak of the acquisition of Cuba 10y the
United states n Il fact Accomplished is mac
curate But the objection Is technical and
the expression conveys the substantial TRUTH
Notwithstanding resolution of congress
which, i'll advised and futile M the time OF its
passage, II now influential IT all, T. simply
preiudicing the Interests of Cuba and the
United States alike. No such resou ion can
refute the logic of the undisputed facts or
should be allowed to impede the natural
march of events. To any satisfactory solu
ton of the Cuban problem ii Is vital that Gu