Omaha daily bee., 1901-02-06
TIRE COMMERCIAL SIDE.


Commercial interests are said to be
very greatly concerned in the question
of the future relations between the
United States and Cuba and doubtless
their influence will be exerted In favor
of the view that it is the right and duty
of congress to pass upon the Cuban
constitution, with a view to seeing that
it provides for satisfactory relations
with this country.
one of these interests is the syndicate
which contemplates a thorough recon.
struction and n great enlargement of the
Cuban railroad systems. 1t is said to
be anxiously awaiting the determination
of the Cuban question and the estab-
lishment Of stable government in the
island. Another is the syndicate or
ganized to Introduce trolley systems
into Cuba. Then there are capitalists
who are anxious to begin the work of
developing the rich mines and the re-
sources of the timber lands. One of
the largest of the eastern trust compa-
mics, which have already established
view the taking there of sufficient capi-
tai to enable the Cuban planters and
manufacturers to fully develop their re-
sources, is most DESTROYS for an early
determination of the Cuban question.
OF course these interests would feel
more secure If the government to he es-
tablished in Cuba should hold such rcla-
tions with the United States as would
insure its stability and the protection of
property aud vested rights in the island.
Quite naturally they do not have i'm
plicit confidence in the Cuban people.
There Is doubt as to their capacity for
government and not much faith in
their integrity. Therefore these inter
csts desire that the United States shall
require such conditions from the new
Cuban government as will assure safety
for whatever investments they make in
the island.
There are Cubans who are not averse
to this A leading paper of Havana
suggested few days ago that the con
stitutional convention should adopt rs II
basis for relations between Cuba and
the United States the following: THAT
the republic of Cuba will respect and
guarantee lives, property and acquired
rights in the same form as the United
States guarantee those in tlle treaty Of
Paris; that the republic will guarantee
rights acquired during the American in.
tervention by law, decree, Judgment or
other act of the military government;
that the republic, for Il period of two
years after the establishment of indie
pendence, will conduct foreign affairs
through the United States will make no
treaty with any other nation prejudiclal
to the United States and will accept no
compromise which might give. rise to
the occupation of the island or to inter
ventiOn in its customs" 1t would mani
festly be a grave mistake to omit from
the Cuban constitution guaranty that
the republic will respect property and
acquired rights, for without such provi-
sion in the organic law capital will not
go freely into Cuba and the develop
ment of the island will be slow.
The commercial side of the Cuban
question Is quite as important as the
political side, perhaps even more i'm
portant to the Cuban people, whose in
dependence will not give them prosper
ity If they are not able to attract capital
for industrial and commercial develop
ment. In order to do this they must
give ample assurance of security to
property and acquired rights